DEISGN
The roof overhang on this house in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, by Finne Architects, protects the house from sun, yes, but also from the Midwest's heavy snow. The Department of Energy has some region-specific recommendations for roof overhangs: * For cold climates, at base 65 degrees Fahrenheit, locate the shadow line at midwindow using the June 21 (summer solstice) sun angle. * For moderate climates, at base 65 degrees during days when heat is needed and base 75 degrees during days when air conditioning is needed, locate the shadow line at the windowsill using the summer solstice sun angle. * For hot climates, at base 75 degrees, locate the shadow line at the windowsill using the March 21 (vernal equinox) sun angle.
Roof overhangs can be all sizes, and they need not be purely utilitarian. This one, on another Pacific Northwest house, provides all the benefits of passive cooling and weather protection, but it's the drama of the overhang that may matter most. This house would be aesthetically naked without this roof.
This diagram from the U.S. Department of Energy shows how a roof overhang can prevent hot summer sun from getting in. Here, the summer sun's angles are directed at the ground. But that same smartly oriented overhang can also allow maximum light during the winter, as shown, when you want that extra bit of heat.
Moving upstairs, the floor plan consists of four quadrants that have a central pivot point. There are pocket doors that remain open when the couple is home to keep an open feeling, and can be closed for privacy when they have company. The couple uses one of the quadrants as a guest room and a home office.
The top loft floor of the home was originally meant to be used as an office space, but the bottom floor became the office and gym, and this space was turned into a media room and playroom instead. A glass floor leads the way to the room, fully equipped with a flat-screen TV, a quirky couch with detachable pieces and Steve's electric guitar. It also leads to an amazing outdoor deck.
Love the windows and the bookcases underneath. The upper, small windows are very cool, like them much better than having these little windows on the bottom. "We feel like we are on vacation when we are in our bedroom," says the couple. With gorgeous views surrounding the master bedroom, Amelia and Steve can relax and watch the sun rise and set.
Finding a suitably scaled dining room table was another one of their design dilemmas. They went through three rectangular tables before Steve's mother finally recommended what turned out to be the solution: an oval-shaped table. The Saarinen table's marble surface is custom made, and the table is paired with custom-upholstered Dune chairs by ABC Carpet & Home. Amelia made the banner hanging behind the table out of wrapping paper for Thanksgiving dinner one year, and the family decided to keep it on the wall. "It's how we want to live," says Amelia.
Love these colors. Love this little pillow, what a great idea. As an interior decorator, Amelia finds it important to design with livability in mind. She designed the space to be appropriate for an active and growing 8-year-old son but to still meet the couple's love of clean lines and clutter-free contemporary design.
The home originally had a much cooler color palette, with white walls, blue glass and a metal staircase. Amelia and Steve added warmth by painting yellow accent walls and designing with earthy tones. "For us, the outside inspires the inside," says Amelia. The house features a very open floor plan, and Amelia says one of their biggest challenges was arranging the living room space in a kid-friendly manner that didn't make it resemble a playroom. Built-in shelves keep things organized, furniture helps create individual spaces with both purpose and personality. Couch: Room & Board; rug: one of a kind from ABC Carpet & Home; yellow side table: Propeller
Humanscale is known primarily for its innovative office furniture but wanted to present a more playful side of the company at its ICFF booth this year. Emphasizing the technology side of its products, it created a new wireless lighting system. The elegant rings light up when they're hanging from the brass wall hooks but turn off as soon as they're removed.
Just plain cool.
I love this piece. So smart
Q