.png)
From a crisp book nook to a clever modular penthouse, here are seven ways designers found solutions for very specific asks.
How They Pulled It Off is our ongoing series where we take a close look at one particularly challenging aspect of a home design and get the nitty-gritty details about how it became a reality.
Each of these projects tackles a highly specific brief and shows how the right collaboration—between architect and client, materials, or building methods—can push the boundaries of home design.
An Unconventional Porch That’s Both Indoors and Out
Architects Miroslava Brooks and Daniel Markiewicz of FORM envisioned a sculptural cube on a hill for their shared retreat in Hillsdale, New York—but added one feature that blurs the line between inside and out. It’s a ground-floor porch that feels both sheltered and open, with trapezoidal cutouts on three sides framing views toward the hillside.
Photo: Devon Banks
The architects oriented the house, and the ground-level veranda’s largest opening, toward the east to optimize natural light and views toward the hillside. The porch also lifts the living spaces above for higher views and creates a welcoming entrance.
Photo: Devon Banks
A One-Bedroom Penthouse That Transforms Into a Four-Bedroom Apartment
Shuji Suzumori of New York–based practice Suzumori Architecture worked with a New York City couple to reimagine their space as a modular penthouse where areas, rather than rooms, can be sectioned off in various configurations. With a few short steps, for example, the conversation pit in the library upstairs becomes space for family to sleep.
Photo by Conor Harrigan
See the full story on Dwell.com: A Look Back at Our Most Popular "How They Pulled It Off" Stories
Related stories:
- The Most Shocking Before & After Home Renovations of 2025
- These Are Dwell’s Most Popular Homes of 2025
- These Are Dwell’s Most Popular Real Estate Stories of 2025
Read More
By: Dwell Staff
Title: A Look Back at Our Most Popular "How They Pulled It Off" Stories
Sourced From: www.dwell.com/article/how-they-pulled-it-off-roundup-humboldt-10a88a03
Published Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:11:03 GMT
