WORKSHOP
A simple palette of thermally modified wood and black panels and trim allow this lakeside home to blend into the surrounding trees along the shoreline. Panoramic views of the lake are available from all of the principal rooms and bedrooms in the house. Interesting ceiling-scapes feature throughout, with textured oak ceilings in the public zones of the house - playing with the language of slats; a modern take on a coffered walnut ceiling in the office; and warm cove light ceilings in the primary bedroom and den. Large format tiles create vivid accents of color in the bathrooms, which are picked up in the guest bedrooms, where mixed open and closed storage provide flexibility for short term and long term guests. The elevated primary wing creates a covered outdoor space on the lakeside patio, with an enclosed storage zone for kayaks and furniture. A screen porch off of the kitchen opens onto a generous deck, creating plenty of outdoor areas from which to enjoy the lake.
Designed to be net-zero, this modern lake house has two solar arrays, one on the detached garage and another on the primary wing, which should generate enough power to offset the power consumption of this house over the course of the year, including charging 2 electric vehicles and a future electric boat. Embodied carbon was considered in the insulation choices, with cellulose used as much as possible in walls and ceilings, re-used rigid foam insulation utilized under the slabs, and HFO spray foam insulation used in limited areas. Smart vapor barriers and thoughtful air sealing (700 CFM @50 pascals equating to ~1 air change per hour) contribute to a tight house, which along with a double wall assembly and triple paned windows create a robust envelope, minimizing heating and cooling loads. Using no fossil fuels, all appliances are electric and this home is heated and cooled through a ducted, cold climate air-to-air heat pump system, with distribution through floor, ceiling and wall grilles, as well as returns integrated into the toekick spaces of built-ins.
Architecture & Interior Finishes: KOAN Workshop
GC: O'Hara Gercke
Photography: Rob Karosis