Perched in the Oakland Hills on a double-sized 13,000 sq. ft. multi-layer lot overlooking San Francisco Bay, the award-winning Margarido House exemplifies outstanding, sustainable design. Over 4,600 sq. ft. on two levels, the new five-bedroom, five-bath masterpiece features designer finishes throughout, and an open floor plan that takes full advantage of the breathtaking views.

The Margarido House is 55 percent more energy efficient than California’s Title 24 energy standards. The home features extensive green building components such as eco-friendly Western Red Cedar siding, a planted green roof garden and deck, on-site rain and ground water reclamation, in-floor hydronic heating, and solar electric and solar thermal (hot water) systems.

(more…)

The House As mountain guides, Scott Schell and Margaret Wheeler are used to the upper reaches of the Cascades. Their site in the foothills above Snoqualmie is not far from work. The house, designed by Johnston Architects PLLC and built by Tall Tree Construction, accommodates both professional and practical demands, but it also fulfills a deep desire to do what is right.

The Schell Wheeler house will soon receive a LEED Silver certification. Blow-down trees from storms provided the logs that were milled into siding, fascias and trim. A ground source heat pump, supplemented by solar water preheating supplies energy to the house. Other strategies are implemented throughout the house, but the overall character of the two buildings complete the goal of sustainability: the complex is extremely livable within its environment. Even on a grey and rainy day this forest retreat is filled with light.

(more…)

With an enclosed full-height atrium at the heart of the three-storey building, the social life of the school revolves around this assembly space for 1,100 students. A recurrent element in several other of Foster + Partners’ academy buildings, the atrium is defined by a sense of transparency and openness – like a gallery of learning – which in this case also resonates with the museum theme. Inside the atrium there are three yellow drums raised above the floor on circular columns. These two-storey pods house the Academy’s ten science laboratories, reinforcing the importance of science teaching.

A dedicated sports and culture block contains specialist facilities for music and drama including a fully equipped theatre, a TV and sound recording studio, soundproofed practice rooms and a rehearsal space, sports hall and lecture theatre. The academy’s two light and airy covered streets extend from the atrium and are lined with 38 classrooms.

(more…)

Here is Italian company Valcucine always surprises and amazes us by its original kitchen designs. Every new kitchen made by them is a step ahead in kitchen production. Its latest kitchen, Noce Tattile, is one more demonstration of that. For that time Valcucine’s designers have refused from synthetic varnishes and have chosen the naturalness. They have created the wooden kitchen which not only looks very beautiful but also is very pleasant to the touch.

With this kitchen you could surround yourself by a warm and cozy atmosphere and made yourself closer to the nature. Thanks to its special finish it is quite healthy and seems capable to fill you with an energy. You could find more information and its technical characteristics on Valcucine site.

(more…)

Cannon Beach Residence is designed by Nathan Good Architect with sustainability in mind. It is located on the Oregon beach and provide more energy that it consumes. That is possible because of 5kWh rooftop photovoltaic system and 12-inch-thick concrete walls. There are also solar-thermal tubes provide hot water with a ground-source heat pump that warms and cools the air. The house is L-shaped and wrapped around Sitka spruce that’s 38 inches in diameter.

Recycled materials was used during construction and the house is designed to last multiply generations. It perfectly blends into the forested hillside thanks to its sedum-sprouting green roof. One side of the house has views of Haystack Rock while the other – views of the beach. A lot of windows also provide the house with plenty of the natural light. [Nathan Good Architect]

(more…)