Nestled into tree-covered dunes overlooking Lake Michigan, this residence appears to emerge from the landscape. The project brief called for an artful house that respects the land and promotes wellness and outdoor living. Its rugged beauty and opportunity for four-season adventure drew the owners to the property but presented challenges, including rising lake levels and risk of wildfires. The site called for a durable shelter that could responsibly integrate with the environment.
Clad in sand-colored stucco with wood soffits, the structure will be intentionally obscured by native grasses and junipers over time. It is oriented parallel to the dune crest to maximize views and capture lake breezes for passive cooling, and programmed outdoor spaces are layered to match the undulating topography. A steel superstructure enables an ultra-thin roof with large overhangs for passive solar design that withstand gale-force winds and heavy snow loads.
The interior is deliberately compact. At 1,700sf, the first level incorporates all living spaces for the owners but lives larger because it integrates 3,000sf of outdoor space. Layers of light and an edited palette of materials and textures unify the interior and evoke a laid-back feeling of beach towns. Expansive glazing and porcelain flooring merge indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a sense of living in an infinity house. A permeable crushed-granite courtyard entry sequence slows the transition into the house and offers refuge on windy days and a gathering place after winter snowshoeing.
Sheltered on three sides, the courtyard is enclosed by manually-operated Cor-Ten panels that can rotate to reveal dune views or close for a cloistered experience. It is further defined by a deconstructed roof with an aperture that frames sky views. The structure is engineered to enable residents to thrive in this extreme microclimate. Triple-pane glazing forms a tight thermal envelope, efficiently maintaining indoor comfort on blustery days.
Operable window walls offer abundant ventilation to improve indoor air quality and encourage active living through direct access to nature. A solar array of PV panels on the roof and battery storage system power the home, including an EV charging station. And a rain water collection system mitigates runoff, protecting the dune from erosion. In a community defined by traditional cottage architecture, this house quietly assimilates. Neighbors have embraced the design. A popular detail is the screen porch: integrated into the massing and concealed by louvers, it is a contemporary interpretation of a time-honored lake house vernacular.
