Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026

Great room

An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about great room

Project • By JMAD • Private Houses

Zen Modern Retreat

Our client wanted a home that is a nod to her Asian heritage. That was a key starting point in the design but along with that they wanted a modern home with an open floor plan which drove some of the character of the home in terms of massing and details. Landmark Photography Landmark Photography Landmark Photography Landmark Photography Through design iterations with the client, we developed the idea that the great room space would be a two-story vaulted space that would allow a lot of natural light in, with tall, full-height windows, not small transom windows. Landmark Photography Landmark Photography Landmark Photography Landmark Photography We were working with a large wooded site, so figuring ou... More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

Modern Euro Remodel

From a story and a half to a full two story, they wanted to have a more updated look to the house but they loved the neighborhood, they wanted to improve their lifestyles there the connection between the pool activities and the indoor actives. In doing so we improved the other spaces too, master suite. Added the second floor to improve upon all the bedrooms. Modern European style has the essence of traditional feel but with the update of today’s living style. Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting More

Project • By JMAD • Apartments

Modern Condo

 Our clients wanted to completely remodel and refresh their three-story condo following principles of Feng Sui. There were curves in the ceiling of the great room that were existing. We kept it because the clients liked the asymmetry of it. Keeping it also kept to amount of change to a minimum. So we worked with it!  JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD We completely ripped out the stair and redid the whole staircase with an open tread system so that when you walk into the home, you have this sense of being brought all the way in and not being stopped at the stairs.  JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD Our clients wanted dramatic lighting throughout, so we have a lot of lights that beam down, making it feel a little... More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

White Harbor Retreat

The key thing about this home was the location and the site; it is on a really prominent lot on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota – the type of lot that you don’t come across for sale everyday, so we wanted to of course create a home design that takes advantage of those amazing views.  JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD We wanted to create something classic and timeless in style and form – and shingle style. So the home features an abundance of glass on the back side looking out on the lake with all the key primary living spaces, also the outdoor living is on the back of the house with a pool that you access from the lower level and a screen porch that allows you to live outdoors for a good part of the year. Really g... More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

Curving Modern

The most striking feature of this home are the razor-edge roof profiles and the fact that those roofs swoop both vertically and horizontally. It is really an evolution of modern design. It uses all of the typical architectural rules of modern home design and takes it to the next level. JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD The roof forms serve functions on the exterior. They overhang to provide shade during the warmer months and then create a really unique transition from the single story portion of the home to the second story. Plus, they take form in the great room with a curved ceiling form above that transitions up to the second floor, creating a timeless architectural element.  JMAD JMAD JMAD... More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

Nature's Edge

Designed for clients who wanted a large, sprawling home that didn’t look large and sprawling, our Nature’s Edge home in Hudson, Wisconsin, overlooks The St. Croix River. The entryway is subdued as our clients didn’t want visitors to feel they were coming to a huge estate. JMAD JMAD JMAD The lot itself was challenging, due to height restrictions, a ravine and a bluff. But these are the kinds of creative challenges we love. In the back, it’s not a two-story, it’s two stories further away; that was the only way to get the additional space without seeing the house from the river because there were these certain angles that we had to abide by. It was a big challenge to design views to the river but m... More

Project • By JMAD • Private Houses

Lake Cottage

 Lake Minnewashta is home to our coastal classic lakeside home. The first thing visitors will notice is the open and spacious main floor framed with beautiful, hand-crafted pine custom beams.The home is two stories, but we wanted the main floor to feel like a rambler. Details like wide-plank oak floors, a shiplap and limestone surround around the fireplace and a large open kitchen with a large custom blue island.  JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD The home also has a scullery kitchen/butler’s pantry directly behind the kitchen to keep the dinner preparation out of view while entertaining. The main floor has a large master suite with children’s rooms above, plus a... More
Rooftop outdoor living spaces, exterior spiral staircase, sunken patio, pool.
Grand entrance with curb appeal.
Luxury pool and patio.
Pergola front entrance.
Two story entry, balcony overlook at the front door.

Project • By JMAD • Private Houses

Del Camino

 Our Del Camino home in Arizona is a modern, multi-level home with a two-story-tall great room space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling window to make the entire home light, open and airy. This openness also creates a connection to the scenic backyard with the great room actually opening up to accommodate indoor / outdoor living. JMAD JMAD JMAD Another way we create indoor / outdoor living is with two levels of rooftop terraces – one accessed via an exterior spiral staircase. The upper level also includes an exercise room (or multifunctional space that could be an exercise room or an additional lounge space) that overlooks and is open to both the front and back of the house. JMAD JMAD JMAD The lower le... More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

Sunlit Coastal Ranch

That natural California vibe is imbedded inside and outside this home. It’s designed like a sun box – meaning you can see all the way through it from the front entry to the water. Even the stairway is designed so that sunlight dances throughout. It’s clean, coastal, contemporary. Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Caption   More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

Orono Prairie Lodge

Designed with the welcoming feeling and solid stature of a Grand Lodge, our Orono Prairie Lodge makes quite an entrance with its cedar wood and stone exterior. JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD The design uses natural materials for its Biophilic design, and brings in as much light as possible throughout the interior. JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD JMAD Architectural thoroughness defines each space as they relate to one another, and frame up all views, inside and outside. And architectural details make this large scale home feel comfortable, homey and livable. More

Project • By JMAD • Housing

Winery Estate

Our Tuscany Lodge style home is composed with natural materials that give a sense of permanence and age – blending right in with a good aged bottle of wine. It's fitting, since the home is situated on a Winery Estate.  Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography Spacecrafting Photography One-of-a-kind timber work defines the entrance and interior. These lodge-like qualities include a great Grand Hall with natural light streaming in from both sides, extending past the fireplace through to libra... More

Project • By JMAD • Private Houses

Shingle Style Lodge

An open, winding road leads you to this 15-acre, wooded property, secluded yet harmoniously centered between three quaint towns: Chaska, Victoria, and Waconia. Following the homeowners’ vision for a home full of character and rich elements, the shingle-style lodge residence is both grand and warm, highlighting intricate details, quality craftsmanship, and timeless architecture. Spacecrafting Photography Landmark Photography. Landmark Photography Landmark Photography Spacecrafting Photography Landmark Photography Spacecrafting Photography More