On a clear day

How a structure will correspond to its surroundings plays an important role not only in the eventual design of the house, but also in how the occupants will interact with both. A harmonious relationship between built and natural environments will permeate all aspects.

Happily, achieving such a relationship isn't reliant upon the conformity of one environment to the other quite disparate elements can be brought together to create a unified whole, as they do in the house featured on these pages.

Knitted to the land, the house spreads up and out, as if reaching for the sky while reveling in the lakeside locale. An extensive provision of glazing positions the view front and center, while also serving to break up the building's mass when seen from outside.

Interior designer Jim Laney was tasked with developing an interior design that would complement the architecture as well as the magnificent views. The clients specified a minimal aesthetic punctuated with color and above all, ultimate comfort.

"The clients both have backgrounds in design, and had very distinct ideas about what they wanted to achieve.

"Foremost was an interior that was as sleek and clean as possible. So much new technology has been seamlessly integrated into the house that to create a cluttered environment would have almost negated that process."

The house comprises a central glass stair with rooms opening off this. The top floor accommodates the garage and entry foyer, the next floor down a guest suite, and the floor below that contains the main living area and gymnasium.

"The third floor acts as the core of the house," says Laney. "It is the largest of the six floors and contains the bulk of the public areas.

"The important thing with this space was to maintain the sense of connection with the outside, so circulation between the areas is free-flowing.

"Furniture has been kept minimal, but each piece has been designed to encourage the occupant to linger timeliness is not essential once you walk through the door; these are spaces in which to revel."

It's a sentiment that is echoed by one of the clients. "The mandate was that above all, the home was to be warm and comfortable. You run the risk with such a modern house that while the look is fantastic, living in it becomes unrealistic. Luckily for us, Jim has such an understanding of his craft that the result is a perfect fit."

With no one wanting to compromise on the quality of the original vision, it is perhaps not surprising that construction stretched to 40 months, while the team sought solutions to various challenges.

"The biggest issue we faced," says the homeowner, "was being told that a particular thing couldn't be done either because it had never been done before, or because the technology didn't exist.

"One example is the door leading from the main floor onto the terrace. Four different manufacturers told us it was impossible. But Jerry Morgan, our builder, was undaunted and worked tirelessly for 16 months researching possible solutions until he found a system that would allow us to have an 1800lb frameless pivoting glass door.

"It sounds extreme, but that was the level of passion that everyone felt for the project."

The complexity of the project access to the site and the level of technology involved was certainly challenging, says Jerry Morgan.

"A great many custom applications and elements have gone into this house, and if we had attempted to build it at any other time it would have been impossible. We have been extremely fortunate that we were able to draw on a wealth of expertise and information from around the world, and have made lasting connections that will enable us to adapt the systems used in this project for incorporation into others."

For the homeowner, there is a feeling of validation, that the vision of so long ago has now been realized.

"When my wife and I first found this site, I sketched out the house I wanted to achieve, either as a build project or by making the existing house work to that vision. I can say there were times over the ensuing decade that tested my resolve, but neither of us lost sight of that goal. I can take pleasure in the fact that when I look at that original drawing, it is remarkably close to the house as it is now.

"As much as the vision was mine, the reality is due to Jerry and Jim's unfailing energy in bringing it to pass."

Story by: Justin Foote

Photography by: Erhard Pfeiffer