Exterior

The entrance now has a new glass front door and bespoke casework.

Tama and Lauren Bell renovated a three-story condo in Sebastopol, California, where Judy Tyrus and Eric Waldman could live and run their non-profit. In the ground-floor office, sliding panels made by Lattice Stix separate two desks from a larger work space.

"As an amateur astronomer, Roberson made sure to also include a well-equipped observatory,

A 580-square-foot terrace complete with outdoor kitchen sits above a new garage. The terrace’s design was inspired in part by New York’s High Line, says Rick, with its varied and immersive plantings, expanded steel-mesh guardrail, and lighting beneath ipe handrail caps.

A move to Palm Springs gave designers Joel and Meelena Turkel the opportunity to imagine a new home for their family of four using the same prefabricated systems they’ve developed for clients.

Six slabs were placed in a row on top of prefab concrete walls (inset). The architects chose the components in part for their length, which could span the width of the house, eliminating the need for columns.

The third wing of the home ends in a family room, added by Busche's firm as part of the 1980s expansion. A large patio surrounds the in-ground heated pool and overlooks a 150-acre nature preserve that borders the property.

The increased square footage and the outdoor patios are welcome additions to the home.

“Courtyards are a fantastic way of controlling the sun here,” says architect Cavin Costello. “We live outdoors primarily in the late fall/winter, when the sun angle is very low, and tall walls are often more effective than roofs in providing shade for the outdoor spaces.”

The side patio doubles as a parking spot for a custom-built 1970 Honda CB750.

This 5,665-square-foot property by McCollum Studio Architects seamlessly blends contemporary living with natural beauty. Built on a serene hillside with unspoiled views, it utilizes an open-plan living space to maximize natural light and create a spacious, inviting atmosphere. Furthermore, the home collects rainfall and harnesses solar energy, underscoring the owner’s commitment to sustainability.

Light wood floors, new drywall, and a fresh coat of white paint now gives the house a luminous quality. The front entry is to the right of the fireplace, and there are now better sight lines into the kitchen and dining area to the left.

Architect Sarah Bullock McIntyre worked with the homeowner – whom she first befriended in college – to reimagine this pier and beam cottage in Rosedale. The 2,238-square-foot property boasts a thoughtful, light-filled layout with minimalist “hygge” detailing, a low-sloped gable roof, and a perched front porch. Altogether, the residence serves as a testament to the benefits of homeowners and architects working in unison to realize a shared vision.

This generational family compound, designed by Matt Fajkus Architecture, encompasses three distinct units for grandparents, parents, and children. Made of masonry, wood, glass, and stucco, the units converge in shared cooking and gathering areas, thereby showcasing the power of architecture to facilitate a harmonious blend of privacy and coexistence.

“We knew our modern concrete tiles and terrazzo would be a good fit, but it has been really refreshing working with our own tile, counter and paver products in our own space so intimately and falling in love with our work all over again,” says Kate.