Tour This Environmentally-Friendly Home to Two Stylish Atlanta Architects

Architects Cara Cummins and Jose Tavel operate their firm, TaC Studios, out of their LEED Silver-certified house along Atlanta's pedestrian and cycling path, the Atlanta BeltLine. Their home is a prime example of what their TaC Studio offers: modern and green design.The home was built it in 2011 and the couple designed the home to have functionality, character and sustainability. They wanted their home to be about the view outside, and for the outside to be an extension of the house. "We like to surround ourselves with objects that tell a story and are inspiring," says Cara, "we believe in marrying the old and the new."

Cara and Jose designed their home to be stylish and energy efficient. Their home is simple in design, with concrete panels and European stucco for low maintenance, along with a geothermal mechanical system that helps them control the temperature in the house. The home is surrounded by water, which you can see and hear with the fountains. When the sun and pool lounging is too much for guests, the couple designed a Lanai, or veranda, not far from the pool. The Lanai provides the perfect amount of shade and captures the breeze that crosses the property.

Cara and Jose made great use of the narrow yard space. The deck and the pool run the length of the house, maximizing the yard's available space. The deck is made of bamboo and a custom concrete step that runs the length of the house.

The dining room table was made from the floor salvaged from a tobacco factory. The couple created the one-of-a-kind chandelier from yard clippings they found on the street 15 years ago. The rug underneath the dining table was bought in a cave in North Turkey 20 years ago. The room is finished off with a ladder from Indonesia.