Three pavilions

The benefits of modern living arrangements with open plan spaces are fairly well documented. Creating living areas that are designed around the activities that occur within them has long been considered a method of providing not just physical, but also psychological freedom. The development of this holistic approach to design is usually attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright and other American architects influenced by the renowned Louis Sullivan. Low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, single levels with strong horizontal lines and central chimneys are just some characteristics of this style. Many of these traits, or variations of them, can be seen in this lakeside home designed by Timothy Alt, of Altus Architecture. Located in a region renowned for its lakes, this residence is surrounded by homes that reflect typical early 20th-century architecture. Alt’s clients had owned the house next door for 12 years, as well as the land upon which this new home was built. But, starting from scratch, they wanted to take a fresh design approach, he says. “The neighborhood features houses with stone and timber frames typical of that turn-of-the- century construction – plenty of Tudor, but nothing too progressive,” says Alt. “However, my clients are anything but stuffy. They wanted a house with a resort feel that would optimize leisure and lakeside activities – a home for all seasons that would be easy to entertain in, yet wouldn’t seem out of place in the neighborhood.” Built on an empty site around mature trees, the house looks as if it may have existed for 50 years. Wooden pergolas, that fit with the natural setting, allow the house to sit quietly in the landscape. “As well as providing shelter from the high, hot summer sun, the pergolas create a bridge, or outdoor room, that blurs the lines between inside and out. They provide a classical quality that adds layers of interest, depth and shadow. The entrance is a culmination of low scale wood, as we didn’t just want to present a stone facade,” says the architect. On the entrance side of the house, pergolas frame small windows, creating privacy and extending a sense of mystery to arriving guests. In contrast, the lakeside living areas feature floor-to-ceiling windows that open up towards the water. Three interconnected pavilions – respectively housing the master suite, living, dining and kitchen areas, and guest accommodation – offer a modern style of living. The relatively simple floor plan is accentuated by bold detailing, including heavy wood ceiling beams and rich wood trim that tie the house to nature. The central living and dining area is an open, flexible space that can be easily reconfigured for entertaining. Adjacent to this area is an L-shaped kitchen, which opens out towards the sunroom, as well as a more concealed service kitchen. At each end of the house is an accommodation wing. Veer left from the main entrance and you access the library – a classic wood-wrapped room with built-in cabinetry and an old-world feel. This in turn leads through to the master suite. The opposite end of the house is a two-bedroom guest wing. To ensure an appropriate blend of site and surroundings, and to cater for the wide temperature swings between summer and winter, the architect carefully selected building materials. “We sourced materials that would have been used 100 years ago. The stone walls are New York bluestone that have an antiquated quality; the copper shingles ensure the roof will last a lifetime; and the cedar pergolas are also designed for permanence. Rather than being trendy, we wanted materials that would offer quality over an extended period,” says Alt.

Story by: Trendsideas