HIGH ROLLER
Challenge: Maximize views and living space in a Las Vegas penthouse
Solution: For an expansive million-dollar view of the strip, tear out a wall and fireplace between the living room and bedroom. In their place, install a 1,000-pound retractable partition that's operated by a remote control track-and-pulley system in the floor.
Whodunit: Tom Brietling, homeowner - Sonia Zjawinski
FLIGHT DECK
Challenge: Provide an optimal backyard perch for bird-watching along a prime migratory route in Dallas
Solution: Install a 60-foot-long sky ramp that extends through the canopy of the forest on the property. A curved 1,000-square-foot glass wall reflects the woods. The effect is like watching Animal Planet in Imax.
Whodunit: Antoine Predock, architect - Todd Jatras
SILENT MOVIE STUDIO
Challenge: Mute the hum of equipment in a home recording studio
Solution: Stuff all the hard drives, servers, and audio equipment into a climate-controlled closet off of a prefab sound studio. Then outfit it with an industrial refrigerator door to eliminate sound leakage.
Whodunit: James Keach, homeowner and producer (Walk the Line); David Kulka, tech consultant; and Chris Sorensen, architect - S.Z.
PERFECT STORMPROOFING
Challenge: Hurricane-proof a window-sheathed home on Florida's Gulf Coast
Solution: Use bulletproof windows. The search for tough glass ended with a Canadian firm called Loewen. Each window is made of an inner core of elastic vinyl sandwiched between two panes of tempered glass. They can withstand two-by-fours shot out of a cannon or bullets fired from a Smith & Wesson .38 (one would-be burglar gave up after 23 rounds).
Whodunit: Brad Zeitlin, homeowner - Andrew Tilin
credit Architropolis
HIGH ROLLER
credit Andrew McAlexander
FLIGHT DECK
credit Timothy Hursley
SILENT MOVIE STUDIO
credit éPaul Warchol
PERFECT STORMPROOFING
