Lakeside Retreat
Initially a getaway cabin, this family’s idyllic lake property was transformed into their year round home. After years of dreaming and visioning, the property owners were ready to replace their quaint rustic cabin with a permanent home for their family.
Lakeside Retreat
Initially a getaway cabin, this family’s idyllic lake property was transformed into their year round home. After years of dreaming and visioning, the property owners were ready to replace their quaint rustic cabin with a permanent home for their family.
Beginning with our clients’ desire for a modern lake retreat aesthetic, we situated the program spaces on the property based on their relationship to the surrounding trees, the lake and the approach from the road. We oriented spaces to connect to the lake through existing view corridors through the surrounding trees. The main volume contains the most public areas of the home creating a large gable form that runs from the main entrance to the expansive lake view.
The main entry greets visitors as they arrive with the more private bedrooms housed in a smaller volume to one side and the garage located off to the other. The garage wing (a two-story structure with plywood clad utility spaces below for a workshop, indoor play area and boat storage) creates a visual buffer from the neighboring home. The home utilizes geothermal heating and cooling and SIP panel roof construction.
The largest volume and heart of the home–with living, kitchen and dining–feels both grand and welcoming with close attention to every detail. It’s most striking feature being the custom engineered steel and douglas fir trusses. Interior spaces are connected to the outdoors through a massive multi-panel sliding door that opens onto a large screened porch. A floor to ceiling pocket door separates the light filled pantry from the open kitchen when desired. The more private primary suite contains a bedroom, custom closet, secondary laundry space and bathroom complete with steam shower and soaking tub.
Natural wood tones and handmade tile alongside thoughtful architectural details and elegant light fixtures create a retreat that connects seamlessly into the ever-changing canopy of trees just beyond the dwelling’s walls.
Completed
2020
Team
Shelter, Schaper Engineering, Owners
Accolades
2023 AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour
Photographer
