Kitchen & Bath Business July/August 2021 - 69

light, and a natural stain on the whitewashed
engineered hardwood flooring provides warmth.
The island is white oak, and the nearby fireplace
is made of natural stone.
The spa-like and serene master bath features
a wooden floating vanity with matching mirrors
and a natural stone wall that divides the tub and
shower area. A 20-in. square showerhead and
three body jets complete the spa-like experience.
WELLNESS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
AND AGING IN PLACE
Being as environmentally friendly as possible is an
important part of all of Sikandar's projects. And
because she is located in California with its various
requirements, the idea is almost ingrained. For her
clients who do not have this mindset, she works
to educate them.
The sustainable elements incorporated in this
project are many. All the appliances are Energy
Star rated, and the plumbing fixtures are water
efficient. Although the standard HVAC system
is supposed to be 90% efficient in California,
Tran said the one in this project goes all the
way to 95%.
The home's many windows and skylights -
all of which feature smart blinds - help with
energy efficiency, as they eliminate the need to
turn on interior lights during the day. And the
custom glass used also reduces the loss of energy
in the home.
An area behind the garage was incorporated
ABOVE The kitchen's custom
white oak cabinetry was
designed to accommodate
a 99-bottle, three-zone wine
cooler, a swing-out pantry
with articulated vertical
storage that can be rotated
to view additional storage
behind and a 28-in.-deep
island that houses an
undersink water filter and
instant hot water dispenser.
In this 2,900-sq.-ft. California
home, close attention was
paid to meet the state's energy
usage requirements through
the use of Energy Star-rated
appliances, LED lighting and
efficient HVAC and ventilation
systems. The design team
chose low-VOC paint, and
the flooring is all wood and
tile to improve air quality and
reduce dust.
with redwood raised-bed planters so the family
can grow their own fruit and veggies at home.
Even though this project took place before the
COVID-19 pandemic, the design team realized
what a selling point this can be with the amount
of time people have been spending outdoors and
taking on new hobbies.
As far as aging in place was concerned, Tran
originally wanted this to be a two-story home,
but a single story with an open floor plan would
be more accessible for a family that plans to live
there long term. As such, he and Sikandar chose
non-slip wood flooring and a curbless shower. The
clearance in the primary bath is ample enough to
accommodate a wheelchair, and floating vanities
are more accessible for a wheelchair, as well as being
easier to clean underneath.
A rocker panel with switches makes it easier to
turn on and off the lights, and recessed LED lights
throughout the home reduce glare and eliminate
shadows. There are no cabinets above the stove, so
there is no danger of someone needing to reach
over a hot appliance. Pullout drawers in the lower
cabinets make it easy for all members to access
what's inside.
As design professionals, it helps to put yourself
in the place of your clients when determining the
level of wellness needed in their projects. This way,
you can provide everything a family needs to live a
healthy, comfortable life.
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69
SOURCES
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGNER: Ayesha
Sikandar, MA Dimensions
Inc.; CONTRACTOR:
Ben Tran, Tony
Tran Construction;
DEVELOPER & PROJECT
MANAGER: Bach Tran;
PHOTOGRAPHER: Ivan
Reyes, Navibanx Media
KITCHEN
APPLIANCES: Thermador;
BACKSPLASH: Ivy Hill Tile;
COUNTERTOPS: Calacatta
Tervi Quartz; FAUCET: Vigo;
HARDWARE: Rejuvenation;
HOT WATER DISPENSER:
Multi-Pure; PENDANTS:
Edvivi
PRIMARY BATH
COUNTERTOP, MIRRORS,
SINK & VANITY: Kubebath;
FAUCETS, SINKS & TUB
FAUCET: Delta; FLOORING:
Gayafores; SCONCES:
Kichler; STONE WALL:
Buechel Stone; TOILET:
Kohler; TUB: Signature
Hardware
Kitchen & Bath Business July/August 2021

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