This elegant bespoke staircase in Cameron House is a fine example of the creativity of the Kevala Stairs team. It enhances the glamorous interior of this imposing new development in Ascot. The original walnut staircase, a standard L-shape, with square newel posts and spindles, did not reflect the airiness of the spacious entrance hall. Given a free hand by the client, the design team created a flowing staircase, complementing solid walnut with elements of white, to create a light and graceful structure which enhances rather than dominates the space. The staircase’s entry grand double bull nose is elegantly flared, and spans an impressive 1.9 meters. A true helical arch with a multi-radius inner curve was incorporated to give the staircase a gracious fluidity. The solid walnut winding treads were combined with white risers, and white baserail and strings. Structural integrity and support are provided by 50 mm mortised strings. Kevala’s designers are concerned to ensure that every element, down to the last detail, provides a harmonious whole. Here this is visible in the horizontal scroll in walnut looping around the entry newel post, and the petite domed walnut caps on the white newel posts which provide a perfect finish. Approximately eight meters of matching curved galleries were installed. Full templates were supplied to the developer to enable the formation of precise curved structural openings on the first floor. This ensured that when the curved gallery was delivered, it could be installed and fitted with absolute accuracy. A secondary staircase leading from first floor to the attic area was also fitted, and design elements used for the main helical staircase were repeated, creating integral unity. Photo Credit: Kevala Stairs

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Garrett Buell

Alan Blakely

Photo by Juss Playin - Action Sports, Family, and Event Photography

Here we have a contemporary residence we designed in the Bellevue area. Some areas we hope you give attention to; floating vanities in the bathrooms along with flat panel cabinets, dark hardwood beams (giving you a loft feel) outdoor fireplace encased in cultured stone and an open tread stair system with a wrought iron detail. Photography: Layne Freedle

KatiLyn VanNosdall

Lawrence Taylor Photography

Ann-Louise Buck

Haris Kenjar

Design: INC Architecture & Design Photography: Annie Schlecter

Daniel B. Ryan