Tower House

By Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects

High on a wooded hilltop above a lake in Michigan, the Tower House is the result of an inspiring collaboration between the design team, clients with a passion for architecture as well as their site, and a skilled local contractor.

Directed to create "a sustainable retreat that reflects the timeless beauty and simple comforts of the area," the architects responded by raising the primary living space above the dense surrounding woods in order to gain light, air and views of Glen Lake and Lake Michigan beyond.

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Modern home with Exterior, Metal Siding Material, Metal Roof Material, Wood Siding Material, Flat RoofLine, and House Building Type. Standing seam siding gives a durable exterior finish, with plywood panels adding warm accents. Photo of Tower House

Standing seam siding gives a durable exterior finish, with plywood panels adding warm accents.

Modern home with Exterior, Metal Roof Material, Metal Siding Material, House Building Type, Flat RoofLine, and Wood Siding Material. Two fin-like, metal-clad walls rise from the crown of the hill to support a three-story plywood box suspended a full story above grade. Photo 2 of Tower House

Two fin-like, metal-clad walls rise from the crown of the hill to support a three-story plywood box suspended a full story above grade.

Modern home with Exterior, Wood Siding Material, Metal Siding Material, Flat RoofLine, House Building Type, and Metal Roof Material. Generous balconies reach back into the surrounding forest at every level. Photo 3 of Tower House

Generous balconies reach back into the surrounding forest at every level.

Modern home with Staircase, Wood Tread, and Metal Railing. Intricately-detailed stairs climb the tower, moving from exterior to interior and from more enclosed to more open spaces. Photo 4 of Tower House

Intricately-detailed stairs climb the tower, moving from exterior to interior and from more enclosed to more open spaces.

Modern home with Outdoor, Wood Patio, Porch, Deck, Small Patio, Porch, Deck, Back Yard, Walkways, and Metal Fences, Wall. Strategically placed windows throughout highlight site-specific views and punctuate the structure with this distinctly function driven form. Photo 5 of Tower House

Strategically placed windows throughout highlight site-specific views and punctuate the structure with this distinctly function driven form.

A punched-out square window acts as living art in the stairwell.

Modern home with Dining Room, Corner Fireplace, Track Lighting, Chair, Wood Burning Fireplace, Light Hardwood Floor, Table, Ceiling Lighting, and Bar. The climb up the stairs culminates in a breathtaking, glass-wrapped kitchen/living/dining space at the fourth level. Photo 7 of Tower House

The climb up the stairs culminates in a breathtaking, glass-wrapped kitchen/living/dining space at the fourth level.

Modern home with Living Room, Wood Burning Fireplace, Ceiling Lighting, Chair, Ottomans, Coffee Tables, Light Hardwood Floor, Sofa, and Corner Fireplace. The cozy, birch plywood lined interior lets in views in all weather. The simple built-in ladder leads to a discreet hatch that opens for rooftop access. Photo 8 of Tower House

The cozy, birch plywood lined interior lets in views in all weather. The simple built-in ladder leads to a discreet hatch that opens for rooftop access.