Houzz on Fire!

I was recently at the "Capture, Communicate, Create" event at the W Hotel in Minneapolis where Liza Hausman from Houzz was the featured guest.  If you have never heard of Houzz you should probably check it out.

Houzz is quickly becoming a leading destination site for home design enthusiasts.  It features over 200,000 high quality interior and exterior photos that have been uploaded by the original designers.  This makes Houzz the Internet's largest database of design and decorating ideas.

Houzz has a number of features for homeowners, but I think the coolest is that you can create your own ideabooks.  It's the modern day version of the old "cut and paste scrapbook" from magazines. Preparing to build a new home or take on a major remodeling?  Create an ideabook and share it with your Architect. In my own practice I love ideabooks because it helps me to understand my clients tastes and preferences. With this information I can design something new and fresh, but in a vein I know my client will love.

So do check it out.  You can view the Ron Brenner Architects Houzz page at http://www.houzz.com/ron-brenner-architects.  

And please don't forget to like us!

traditional yet contemporary home design

Over at ron brenner architects I am doing some design work for new clients of mine.  They are looking for a home that blends the contemporary with the traditional; something that is both yesterday and today.  I presented the following three concepts.

A double gable scheme.  This form being familiar without being common.  

Shed on shed scheme.  Here I utilized a classic saltbox colonial roof form; blended with a more contemporary arrangement of windows and use of color.

Gable on saltbox scheme.  The full front gable is an unusual variation.  Side bumpout and "link" between house and garage is clad with metal

My clients were very happy with the alternatives.  In my next article I'll show you which scheme they chose; along with the developments we have made since then.


Which scheme do you prefer?

latest design by ron brenner architects

I just wanted to give you a sneak preview of a new home designed by ron brenner architects.  The new modestly sized home is illustrated below.

The design is a modern interpretation - blending elements from the classic american farmhouse and the arts and crafts. 

Ron had this to say about the home:  "The design process we use is always very collaborative.  In this case Mark Sova (from Main Street Builders) developed an initial concept floor plan.  We took that and performed a number of massing studies in order to determine the best possible form for the plan.  Then we developed a pleasing fenestration.  The result is a modern interpretation of a Midwestern Farmhouse".

granny flat featured in forbes

A few years ago I (ron brenner architects) designed an above garage studio apartment for the father (grandpa) of a client of mine.  The apartment was featured in a new book called In Laws, Out Laws and Granny Flats.  I have included a couple of images here.

Now Forbes.com  has picked up on the idea.  Check out the article by Ashlea Ebeling at 10 Chic Granny Flats.  

House Plan Guru Creates New Concepts!

I received a call from a fellow a couple of days ago.  He told me that he has been exhaustively searching for house plans but cannot find one that fully meets his needs.  I always find  it amazing how many people have this problem given the tens of thousand of house plans available online.  But the fact is every client has individual needs.  Why should they settle for a house plan that comes up short?

His condensed building program is this:

• 1 level home with walkout basement - walkout will initially be unfinished


• 2 main floor bedrooms - one with en-suite - one using a shared public bath


• walkout lot from front to rear


• views of mountains at the rear of the house - rooms should take advantage of that


• finished floor area  must be 1500 square feet or less 

So based on his building program I sketched out a couple of concepts.  See below.

Spaces are spread across the width of the lot to take advantage of the mountain views.  Simple massing with one dominant gable form running from front to rear.  

A more compact arrangement with a "bungalow" inspired form.

This is one great example of the service we provide that sets us apart from our competition.  Can't find the right design solution?  Give our Guru (Architect) a call!
Simply Elegant Home Designs

New House Plan - The Willowbrook

Over at Simply Elegant Home Designs we will be coming out with a new design in the next couple of weeks.  Below is a sneak preview of our "Willowbrook".

Birdseye View

Main Level Floor Plan

Upper Level Floor Plan

Front Elevation - house left, entry and stairs middle, garage right.

New Unique Small House Plan!

Simply Elegant Home Designs is introducing a new unique small house plan - "The Willernie Cottage" as illustrated below.  Architect Ron Brenner had this to say about the home:  "The design is definitely eclectic.  We combined farmhouse, shingle style, cottage and modern elements into a carefully composed exterior envelope. The interior layout is smart.  Like all of our designs we pay much attention to circulation patterns and potential furniture arrangements to ensure functional yet efficient use of space." 

Image from front

Main Level Floor Plan

Upper Level Floor Plan - Three bedrooms with two baths.

Front Elevation

Right Side Elevation

For more information on the home design you can follow this link:  Willernie Cottage