The original carriage house behind this 1906 Foursquare Craftsman-style home was inadequate for today’s vehicles. The challenge was to build a period-appropriate carport that complemented the carriage house and the home. The design team needed to make the structure noteworthy while allowing function. The front side had to span almost 30 feet to accommodate three cars without a support post. Using an I-beam was not an option, so they looked at structural engineering used in the early 1900s. Many bridges built in that era used a lattice truss design, allowing for long spans and decreasing the weight of the beam. The Eiffel Tower uses the same structural design. It was an opportunity for the structural elements to make a visual impact.
The need for firewalls was another challenge. Adding a wall on the third side gave them the opportunity to install two double French doors that open directly into the backyard. This created a great space for entertaining, and leaving the garage door down helps keep the heat in. The solution to the extra-wide door was to use an airplane hangar door. It articulates from the top of the door, creating an awning over the entrance when opened. They sourced the door frame and hydraulic mechanism, allowing them to create their own door design, then replicated a series of door panels to look like the existing carriage house doors.
Engineer: Dave Dorau, Norton & Schmidt
Modern sophistication meets rustic coastal comfort in this 4,140-square-foot floor plan. Its ultra-functional space features a resort-style bedroom suite, finished walkout lower level, scenic deck and patio areas, additional storage areas and many customization opportunities.
Design Detail Curved Staircase Delicately detailed and beautifully handcrafted, the Captiva model home’s dramatic curved staircase gracefully blends wood and iron with grand sweeping curves and free-flowing architecture. A one-of-a-kind,
In the early concepts of the Oakmont, the design team focused on creating expansive common living areas with modern connectivity from one room to another. The plan uses subtle ceiling treatments and a large central vault to define the main-floor living room, kitchen and dining space.
Outdoor Space or Landscape The Pensacola The perfect complement to the home’s elegant, “refined coastal” style, the Pensacola model home’s ultra-luxe outdoor spaces were designed for everything from casual day-to-day
Custom Residence The Mid-Western Originally built in 1954, this mid-century home was revolutionary at the time for its T-shaped split-level plan, which allowed for a more spacious, two-story bedroom wing.
Custom New Build 3,001 to 6,000 square feet Lake Winnebago Vacation Home This project began with a client’s vision of building a second home where her children and grandchildren would
James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Smith is a renowned figure in the local and national culinary arts community.
With an eye for design, the client collected inspirational images for use in his home, challenging the architect to create a unique fit for the homeowner’s lifestyle.
The homeowners used their love of wood and natural elements to source unique wood materials for this home, using it throughout to showcase their design ideas. The goal was to create a show-stopping home that the homeowners could use as a personal showcase for their clients.
