In Michigan, on the edge of a dichothermic lake and within dense forest, a mid-century modern house stood unloved and unoccupied before being discovered by a family returning to the state after fifteen years Southern California. They described it as a hidden sanctuary—a place that demanded innovative preservation. The reimagination was undertaken by Disbrow Iannuzzi in collaboration with Temescal Creative, a studio led by homeowner and designer Martine Ilana.
The house occupies a sloping site through a series of intermediate levels that distribute living, dining, and entertainment areas. Expansive windows orient views outward: towards the water, through the trees, and back into the topography of the land. With circulation reworked for clarity and light redirected deep into the plan, the interiors are now defined by openness and visual continuity.
Preservation as transformation
For Ilana, the project began with an intuitive response to the setting. She tells Archello:
“The Sodon Lake house was a hidden gem. The moment I stepped inside and walked out to the backyard beneath its towering weeping willow, I envisioned the main structure in white, glowing out of the forest. Rather than tearing it down, as many might have, I felt compelled to preserve its soul, history, and energy while breathing new life into its spaces. With expansive picture windows that frame nature like art, natural stone grounding the interiors, and open rooms filled with light, the home creates a profound sense of connection to nature’s rhythms and beauty.”
This concept—preservation as a form of transformation—guided the reimagination, which was remarkably completed in just 12 months. Surfaces were pared back to reveal structure, and interventions were measured rather than invasive. The palette draws influence from the family’s years in sunny California while referencing the Arts and Crafts heritage of the nearby Cranbrook Academy. The combination situates the project between vernacular tradition and external influence, a dialogue that gives the house cultural and spatial depth.
Creating an efficient, sustainable, healthy home
The floorplan was adjusted to create more efficient circulation routes and to bring light into the home. Brightly colored surfaces, low-maintenance materials, and low-VOC finishes contribute to a healthy environment. Where possible, the structural slab-on-grade was exposed, ground and polished, ridding the house of unnecessary material finishes while exposing the construction logic of the house. Stone surfaces ground the interiors, while white walls and natural light amplify a sense of openness.
Upgrades that bring the project into the future
Technical upgrades were critical to the project’s ambition of retaining midcentury clarity while creating a sustainable home. The compact Unico System, a high-velocity, small-duct HVAC solution, was integrated discreetly. By losing less than 5% of conditioned air, reducing humidity, and using eco-friendly refrigerants, the system improves energy performance while maintaining quiet operation—crucial to sustaining the calm atmosphere of the interiors.
Recalibrating a midcentury exterior with SoCal appeal
Exterior interventions were equally significant. The original reddish-brown 1950s brick was overclad with EIFS, a system that increases insulation, lowers heating and cooling costs, and uses recyclable materials. A standing-seam metal roof replaced water-damaged elements, chosen for longevity and recyclability. Pella’s ENERGY STAR windows upgrade thermal insulation while sharpening views outward.
A rotting siding with a custom rainscreen system made from cedar cladding. Left unfinished, it will silver naturally, allowing the house to merge with its surroundings. Its natural rot resistance and ventilated assembly extend the building’s lifespan while providing passive cooling. A mural of geometric tiles by Living Ceramics, detailed with blue grout, gives the exterior a graphic surface resilient enough to withstand Michigan winters.
