Our designs evolve from the unique goals, opportunities, and constraints of the project, but are also shaped by design considerations that are important for almost every project. These include:

Site Connection. How the interior of a house connects to the surrounding landscape with views, natural light, and direct access to habitable outdoor transition spaces helps connect us to the larger natural world and to the dynamic nature of the environment in which we dwell such as changes in weather, the change of seasons, life on the street, the passage of time.

Efficiently-designed space. As architect Sara Susanka has illustrated so well in her “Not So Big House” series, efficiently-designed smaller homes or additions may meet a household’s needs better than adding larger square footage, while being more cost- and resource-efficient. We need to consider the value of quality over quantity of space, imaginatively integrate function and style, and make the best use of what we have, as we consider adding more.

Energy and Resource Conservation Whether the motivation is concern for global climate and natural resources and reducing our “carbon footprint,” or a concern for the impact of rising energy costs on the household budget, building or renovating a house is a golden opportunity to enhance energy- and water-efficiency, and to consider incorporating renewable energy technologies such as solar.

Healthy Indoor Environments. As we make houses tighter and more energy-efficient, it becomes even more important to pay attention to air-quality, providing adequate ventilation, while minimizing the use of building materials that off-gas toxic compounds into the home environment.