Brookstone Builders Home Photo by The Frontier Group
Inspiration for a large arts and crafts brown exterior in Other with wood siding.

Inspiration for a contemporary exterior in Sydney with stone veneer.

Modern-living compliments tradition here as this two-story residence featuring bay windows and gabled roofs. The copper roofing detail, stone exterior and use of horizontal lines bring a grounded feeling to this home giving the residence a familiar yet contemporary appeal. Photographer Bernard André

Firmness . . . Santa Cruz’s historically eclectic Pleasure Point neighborhood has been evolving in its own quirky way for almost a century, and many of its inhabitants seem to have been around just as long. They cling to the relaxed and funky seaside character of their beach community with an almost indignant provinciality. For both client and architect, neighborhood context became the singular focus of the design; to become the “poster child” for compatibility and sustainability. Dozens of photos were taken of the surrounding area as inspiration, with the goal of honoring the idiosyncratic, fine-grained character and informal scale of a neighborhood built over time. A low, horizontal weathered ipe fence at the street keeps out surfer vans and neighborhood dogs, and a simple gate beckons visitors to stroll down the boardwalk which gently angles toward the front door. A rusted steel fire pit is the focus of this ground level courtyard, which is encircled by a curving cor-ten garden wall graced by a sweep of horse tail reeds and tufts of feather grass. Extensive day-lighting throughout the home is achieved with high windows placed in all directions in all major rooms, resulting in an abundance of natural light throughout. The clients report having only to turning on lights at nightfall. Notable are the numerous passive solar design elements: careful attention to overhangs and shading devices at South- and West-facing glass to control heat gain, and passive ventilation via high windows in the tower elements, all are significant contributors to the structure’s energy efficiency. Commodity . . . Beautiful views of Monterey Bay and the lively local beach scene became the main drivers in plan and section. The upper floor was intentionally set back to preserve ocean views of the neighbor to the north. The surf obsessed clients wished to be able to see the “break” from their upper floor breakfast table perch, able to take a moment’s notice advantage of some killer waves. A tiny 4,500 s.f. lot and a desire to create a ground level courtyard for entertaining dictated the small footprint. A graceful curving cor-ten and stainless steel stair descends from the upper floor living areas, connecting them to a ground level “sanctuary”. A small detached art studio/surfboard storage shack in the back yard fulfills functional requirements, and includes an outdoor shower for the post-surf hose down. Parking access off a back alley helps to preserve ground floor space, and allows in the southern sun on the view/courtyard side. A relaxed “bare foot beach house” feel is underscored by weathered oak floors, painted re-sawn wall finishes, and painted wood ceilings, which recall the cozy cabins that stood here at Breakers Beach for nearly a century. Delight . . . Commemorating the history of the property was a priority for the surfing couple. With that in mind, they created an artistic reproduction of the original sign that decorated the property for many decades as an homage to the “Cozy Cabins at Breakers Beach”, which now graces the foyer. This casual assemblage of local vernacular architecture has been informed by the consistent scale and simple materials of nearby cottages, shacks, and bungalows. These influences were distilled down to a palette of board and batt, clapboard, and cedar shiplap, and synthesized with bolder forms that evoke images of nearby Capitola Wharf, beach lifeguard towers, and the client’s “surf shack” program requirements. The landscape design takes its cues from boardwalks, rusted steel fire rings, and native grasses, all of which firmly tie the building to its local beach community. The locals have embraced it as one of their own. Architect - Noel Cross Architect Landscape Architect - Christopher Yates Interior Designer - Gina Viscusi-Elson Lighting Designer - Vita Pehar Design Contractor - The Conrado Company

Design ideas for a country exterior in San Francisco with wood siding.

Photo by. Jonathan Jackson
Industrial exterior in Austin with metal siding and a shed roof.

chadbourne + doss architects has designed the Vineyard Residence that opens to the micro vineyard and olive orchard on the site.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary two-storey stucco beige exterior in San Francisco with a gable roof.

Whitehall Bay residence by Hansen Architects, featuring Windsor windows and patio doors.
Design ideas for a country three-storey white house exterior with a gable roof and a metal roof.

Three levels of glass take advantage of the lakefront location. Scott Bergman Photography
Photo of a large country three-storey exterior in Boston with mixed siding and a gable roof.

artist studio / builder - cmd corp.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional two-storey beige house exterior in Boston with stone veneer, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Charlotte Rowe Garden Design. Fireplace garden with timber arbour and furniture lit up at night. Clipped box globe planting.
Contemporary exterior in London.

Design ideas for a beach style one-storey beige exterior in Santa Barbara with wood siding.

- Interior Designer: InUnison Design, Inc. - Christine Frisk - Architect: SALA Architects - Paul Buum - Builder: Flynn Construction - Photographer: Troy Thies

Photo by Anice Hoachlander
Photo of a contemporary three-storey exterior in DC Metro with mixed siding.

This is an example of a traditional beige exterior in Charleston.

Straw-bale walls wrap the north and west, while the wood framed south wall opens up to the sun, bringing daylight deep into the living space via extensive glazing. © www.edwardcaldwellphoto.com

My House Design/Build/Team
Design ideas for a contemporary three-storey exterior in Vancouver.

Andrew Renn Design, Beautiful gardens of Melbourne Australia.
Design ideas for a contemporary exterior in Melbourne.

Photographed By Misha Bruk
Contemporary exterior in San Francisco with wood siding.