Michigan Lake House by Desai Chia Architecture and Environment Architects

Little House on the Lakeshore

The shores of Lake Michigan are not part of the prairies, but this distinctive house designed by Desai Chia Architecture and Environment Architects certainly evoke the spirit and grandeur of the great plains.

This large family home is made up of three connected volumes, one housing the main living areas, the other two containing bedroom suites.  The house has a mid-century feel to it, partly thanks to the unusual butterfly roofs crowning the volumes.  One of these cantilevers 20 feet over the living room, creating a dramatic sheltered terrace with uninterrupted views of the magnificent shoreline.  The extensive use of wood, especially in the external cladding and beams (charred black with the traditional Japanese "shou sugi ban" treatment), reflects the local vernacular with a contemporary touch.  The theme continues inside, where all floors, ceilings, cabinets and custom-built furniture are made from wood sourced from dying ash trees from the site.

This beautiful house exudes confidence with its bold sculptural shape, yet maintains strong emotional connection to the surrounding nature; a masterpiece of contemporary American architecture.

Links

Desai Chia Architecture

Environment Architects

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Product Inspiration

Create a sculptural style with a natural edge with furniture such as the Luna cabinet from Coedition, the Baobab coffee table from Moustache and the Hiruki chair from Alki. 

 

The wood veneer lights of LZF are wonderfully sculptural and create a beautifully warm glow at the same time.  Try the Swirl suspension light, the Air table light and the Hi-Collar wall light.

     

 

We love the sculptural simplicity and playfulness of the Holy Homes Bird Church birdhouse from Frederik Roije and the elegance of the Slide serving tray from Finell.  The Sula carafes from Incipit are just as sculptural and naturalistic.