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
The overall goal for this custom home was to bring a sense of modern Prairie style, instilling a feeling of the past with common sense for the future. The homeowner emphasized the concept of a modern luxury hotel—warm and inviting with clean lines. The design team chose limestone and rift oak throughout the home to contrast each other in a warm, earth-tone feeling.
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.
Interior Project A Bespoke & Spacious Kitchen The clients wanted a large, modern kitchen with a large island, as well as French doors to their
Custom New Build 6,001 to 10,000 square feet Hearth + Stone As empty-nesters, the clients wanted a warm and elegant, lock-and-leave home. It needed to
Interior Project A Stylish Ensuite This primary bath redesign presented several challenges for the team. The ceiling was more than 1½ inches out of level,
Interior Project The Influencer The vision for this project was to create a residential environment to rival the best fashion houses of Europe. This addition
Custom Residence The Corner House The project was a complete remodel and addition to an existing small, two-bedroom mid-century ranch. The client desired an additional
Design Detail Floating Staircase The floating steel-supporting staircase is a feat of engineering and a work of art. Quartzite treads “float,” while the glass handrail
Design Detail A Window of Opportunity The large windows in this kitchen were a major focal point, and the design team didn’t want to miss
