2061 Amber St. | Philadelphia, PA | 19125
Architect: Interface Studio Architects

Built 2011; 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,826 square feet (excluding basement)

The Beta 2.5 House is the last and biggest of the original (8) 100K Houses by Interface Studio Architects. The 100K House goal is to provide LEED Platinum, minimalist, urban infill as a production housing model. While the first (7) houses were all hovering around 1100SF, this house is larger with more amenities as it seeks a broader market. It features double-stud construction, Passive House grade windows, Certainteed fiber cement cladding and a large terrace. The blower door test proved its Passive House level infiltration rate.

413 Burnt Mill Rd. | Chadds Ford, PA | 19317
Architect: Otto Sperr
Offered By: Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

Built 1986; 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath, 8,000 square feet

This home, with guest house, was originally designed and built by renowned architect Otto Sperr and was completely redone by the current owner in 2006. With over 8000 sq/ft of living space, this modern masterpiece set on beautiful landscaped grounds, has all the latest amenities and then some. The large entertaining area, with floor to ceiling windows, allows for gorgeous vistas of the private property. A top of the line kitchen fit for any chef, a home theater, a Crestron home entertainment system, four-car garage, 1000 bottle wine cellar, large office, various lounge areas and den, a master suite with open master shower and pool wing round out this stylish and functional home. So whether you’re enjoying the sun and view from the roof top deck or relaxing by the pool and hot tub, this magnificent property will never disappoint.

508 W. Allens Lane | Philadelphia | 19119
Architect: Metcalfe Architecture and Design

Built 2011; 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath, 3,622 square feet

Metcalfe Architecture & Design (MA&D) completed the transformation of a classic 1920’s stone colonial house into an open, colorful and highly personalized Modern house for Amy and Michael Cohen.

Located in Philadelphia’s historic and leafy Mt. Airy neighborhood, the house is surrounded by many other stone colonials. The architect transformed the traditional layout of small rambling rooms into an open floor plan. In keeping with 21st century lifestyles, he shifted the original focus from the front of the house to the back; making the most of its new backyard and terrace. This transformation created a comfortable transition between the kitchen, living spaces, and outdoors for easy entertaining—important design elements for these socially active Philadelphia natives.

The house’s bright color palette, natural materials, and artistic finishes reflect the Cohen’s bold personal style. MA&D collaborated with Val Nehez Interior Design, McCoubrey Overholser General Contractors, James Van Etten Furniture by Design, and several other artists.

Highlights of the renovation include a new “jewel-box” like back entry; remodeled kitchen with custom cabinets, maple counters, radiant-heated herringbone slate floors, back-painted glass walls, and unique shelving for Amy’s collection of antique globes (she is a geography teacher!) and artifacts from their travels. The wall separating kitchen and dining room became a unique 3D art installation by artist Paul Schultz—“Celebrate the Uncelebrated,” made of colorful recycled plastic bread tags suspended between clear acrylic sheets. A striking glass chandelier designed by MA&D and executed by artist Nikolaj Christensen hangs in the entrance foyer.

The expanded kitchen and living space open onto the bluestone and in-laid brick patio, with a mahogany pergola overhead. The second floor renovations include a redesigned custom master bath with marble shower and counters, and heated herringbone slate floors.

1514-1516 Waverly St. | Philadelphia | 19146
Architect: Metcalfe Architecture and Design

Built 2010; 3-bedroom, 3-bath, 4,555 square feet

Metcalfe Architecture & Design completed the dramatic conversion of three late 19th century Center City Philadelphia, PA brick carriage houses into a unique, light-filled, highly personalized artistic retreat for painter and University of Pennsylvania lecturer Joan Wadleigh Curran. Located in a picturesque Center City neighborhood, the property is surrounded by many other converted back-alley gems – the sort of neighborhood treasured by Philadelphians.

Joan hired the architect to design the space into a single dwelling, (which had been converted by an earlier resident, an architect who had offices below, and two apartments above) with her studio downstairs and open and airy living spaces above. The design features a collaboration of many players – Metcalfe Architecture & Design; Phil Johnson, Joan’s long-time contractor; Joan’s artist friends, and a steel fabricator.

You can see intriguing touches wherever you turn. Modern, rich colors; industrial materials (rusted and waxed steel, brick, glass); industrial light fixtures; a roof deck with views of the surrounding city; skylights and a central stair that brings light to the building’s center; an elevator to assist Joan in traveling through her house – all embellished by Joan’s striking nature-focused paintings and the works of her many artist friends.

1735-1739 Belfield Ave. | Philadelphia | 19141
Architect: Plumbob LLC

Built 2012; 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 1920 square feet

Onion Flats: Co-developer with Raise of Hope/Designer/Builder.

Subsidized Single Family Townhomes Lender: Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia

Belfield Homes is a 3 unit townhome development in North Philadelphia, in partnership with a Non-profit Community Service organization. On track to be the first certified Passive House certified homes in Philadelphia, this project will be a model for low income urban infill development, providing sustainable zero energy homes for those who can least afford the rising cost of energy. With a projected 90% reduction in energy consumption required for these homes, supported by a significant PV solar array, the entire project, above the foundation, will be built in a modular factory, while foundations are being constructed on site.

520 Station Ave. | Glenside | 19038
Architect: John Whitehead

Built 1961; 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2500 square feet

Magnificent Mid 20th Century masterpiece designed for the original owner in 1961 by John Whitehead, a disciple of Louis Kahn and Phillip Johnson. It is built perpendicular to the road on an east/west axis, carved into a hill with substantial window glazing and white stucco walls cantilevering over the ground level field stone wall giving this house a very organic ambiance in the International style vernacular. A two story, 2,500 SF lIving area with outside separate basement entrance and adjacent main entrance to the library/music room behind commercial glass doors. The house floats over the car port flanked by beautiful 10 foot fieldstone walls that make you feel like you’re deep in a bucolic country setting. ‘Inside/outside living’ is exemplified by the 8′ x 60′ waterfall wall, faced with corten steel panels that drown out every noise but zen.

The kitchen was totally renovated with stainless steel cabinetry and white Carrera marble…bathrooms feature sunken tub with steam room and stainless tube skylights. Birch wood floors stretch out to the massive field stone fireplaces on each floor. Once you experience this modern vintage home, you’ll understand why photographers choose this for fashion shoots!…Truly art in architecture.