House of Sound and Light

Our client came to us after he and his wife had dreamed of a remodel for many years. He hired us to help realize their shared vision for the house when she passed away after a long illness.

Built around a series of wood utility poles with roof planes stretched high above, this waterfront home had many additions over the years. The volume created by the structure and the relationship to the lake were compelling reasons to work with the existing structure. Still, the interior felt visually heavy, the details and finishes were dated, and the interior spaces needed to be more functional.

We aimed to create a free flow from the entry to the lake, simplify the detailing, unify the material palette, and provide a serene backdrop for the owner’s love of music and photography.

A focus on ‘minimalism by subtraction’ was the guiding principle we revisited throughout the design process. We embraced the structure's quirks rather than dismissing the existing house as dated or lacking architectural rigor. We removed unnecessary interior partitions, paneling, and trim, letting the connection to the lake and views inform the design.

The heavy interior stairway and closet were part of the visual barrier between the Entry and the Lake. By relocating the closet and designing a minimal steel stair and bridge to the upper level, the view corridor from the Entry to the Lake opened. A single steel plate stringer and a hidden connection at the wall contributed to the feeling of lightness.

In the Music Room, a diagonal support wall and loft space were replaced with a single steel column and steel support plates at the existing ceiling beams. By removing another non-load-bearing wall in the Living Room, the two spaces are now open to each other and allow unobstructed views from more spaces to the Lake.

Wanting the house's exterior to be discreet and unassuming, we selected a dark neutral color repeated at the interior to punctuate windows and doors. The glass and steel front porch canopy, weathered steel siding, and modern landscaping at the Entry Courtyard are a preview of the modern intervention of the interior spaces. On the interior, the new Entry allows light to pour in from all directions even on the rainiest of days.

Keeping and reusing as much of the original structure was a high priority for the project team and the owner. Cedar wall paneling was salvaged and reused to patch areas on the ceiling that were revealed during demolition. Durable and refined materials for the new interior finishes included white oak, walnut, natural quartz, basalt, and natural steel. A new ramped pathway at the front provides an accessible transition from the parking court to the main level of the house.

Improvements to the building envelope include added insulation, new windows and doors to meet current energy standards, and updates to the building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) have greatly extended the life of the building for future generations.

The project team included Lockhart Suver, NB Design Group, Swenson Say Faget, Brian Hood Lighting Design, Gauge Design Group, and John Granen.