Lake house

In Spicer, Minnesota, on a property bookended by two bodies of water, Strand Design designed a lake home whose simple, dark steel-clad geometry contrasts with warm, lively interiors. Expansive planes of glass and operable folding wall systems capture views and connect directly to the water on both the eastern and western horizons, so the open center of the house takes in light from dawn to dusk. Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting A sculptural stair rises at the core, its handrail recessed into a white oak wall. Extensive custom white oak millwork and cabinetry tie the entry, dining area and kitchen together, while open glass railings and two-story volumes keep every level visually connected. Spac... More

North Shore Retreat sits above Lake Superior in Two Harbors, Minnesota, where its long gabled wings stretch across a meadow of native grasses. Strand Design kept the house low and settled into the landscape with a restrained palette of board-formed concrete, cedar and a standing-seam roof. Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Inside, tall glazing and warm wood ceilings open the kitchen, dining and living areas to the lake. Outside, covered porches, a dining deck, a hot tub and a fire pit step down toward the water, and an open-air room is anchored by a concrete fireplace, so daily life moves easily between inside and out. Spacecrafting Spacecrafting Spacecrafting S... More

Overlooking Lake Memphremagog, the Chalet des Huarts explores the capacity of architecture to endure and adapt, revealing what an inherited structure can still hold and offer. Rather than demolish or expand, the intervention focuses on the potential of the existing 105 m² footprint, transforming a modest seasonal retreat into a contemporary residence while preserving its intimate scale. Phil Bernard Phil Bernard Phil Bernard The original interior was fragmented by enclosed rooms that severed the connection with the lake and the surrounding forest. The design strategy dissolved these partitions to create a communal volume beneath the sloped ceilings, where the kitchen, dining area, and living room merge into a single flu... More

The single-family house is located on the shore of Lake Żywieckie.The plot is situated in a beautiful area with views of the mountains and in close proximity to the water (about 100 meters from the shoreline).The reservoir is surrounded by an earthen embankment, beneath which lies the development site, meaning the plot does not offer a direct view of the lake.One of the key project assumptions was to address this issue. MUS ARCHITECTS Concept The main objective of the designed architecture is to obtain a view of Lake Żywieckie – literally "looking over" the obstacle, which is the earthen embankment separating the site from the lake.When creating the house concept, we decided to reference the tool known as a periscope. A perisc... More

It was a sign. Quite literally. Our clients, avid outdoor lovers, had always dreamed of owning a vacation home on Lake Tahoe. While paddleboarding during a visit, they caught a glimpse of a “for sale” sign on the shore and a tired and outdated cabin sited unusually close to the lake. The Bay Area residents were captivated by the property and by the notion of summers spent on the lake and winter weekends on the slopes. FGA was enlisted to design a new structure on this special, but steep plot of land. Its hillside location presented some major challenges and considerations. FGA's extensive experience with complex siting proved critical to the success of this project, especially since the clients hoped to preserve as much of the... More

Located on the southern shore of Lake Rupanco in southern Chile, the 3C2C House is a single-family residence designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The project is composed of three elongated volumes connected by two enclosed corridors—hence the name “3C2C” (3 Casas, 2 Conectores). This configuration preserves the openness of the site, framing lake and mountain views while reducing the building’s visual impact. © Nico Saieh © Nico Saieh © Nico Saieh © Nico Saieh The first volume contains the double-height social area—including kitchen, dining, and living spaces—with large windows oriented toward the lake and the Andes. The second volume hosts th... More

Governor’s Island House occupies two connected properties that span a peninsula on Lake Winnipesauke. At the foothills of the White Mountains, the island is home to a tight-knit community, with multiple generations living side by side. Trent Bell Photography Trent Bell Photography Trent Bell Photography Trent Bell Photography Trent Bell Photography Trent Bell Photography Dividing the project into smaller structures suits the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere of the island. The main house faces southwest, with views across the water to distant mountains. Oriented eastward, a recreation barn and guest pavilion look beyond a wooded cove and to the lake. A slate path stitches the buildings together and links a... More

The dramatic site largely informed the design of this residence. Early explorations of a serpentine architecture threading through large, slumbering boulders and towering evergreen trees resulted in a design which cascades the site, negotiating the sectional character of the lot, leading to the water’s edge. Rather than altering the site by removing seemingly cumbersome boulders, the design worked with it – integrating its unique character and intricacies, creating moments for its residents and visitors.  JOE FLETCHER JOE FLETCHER JOE FLETCHER JOE FLETCHER JOE FLETCHER The material and color palette of the design was equally inspired by the site’s inherent beauty. The residence is set on a ru... More

The Lake Tahoe Cabins is comprised of three discrete structures that traverse the rugged and complex Crystal Bay shoreline.  Each cabin is strategically arranged around the site’s elemental intricacies with distinct connections to the Tahoe landscape and lakefront below.   ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE The individual structures are linked by a glazed bridge whose footprint kinks precisely around a mass of prehistoric Sierra granite.  The unique arrangement of cabins creates recreational alcoves before approaching the lake.   ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE ADAM ROUSE On the second level, the great room and kitchen expand the en... More

The home is situated on a secluded plot in the mountains of Deep Creek Lake with stunning waterfront views. The space was designed with a modern aesthetic that combines contemporary styles with more traditional materials that tie in the surrounding elements. An open-plan living area allows for plenty of natural light and an unobstructed view of breathtaking mountain views. Inside, the spaces are designed to maximize comfort and convenience, while outside, the landscape was designed to provide a private, tranquil setting. Caption More

Located in Valle de Bravo’s Rancho Avandaro is Casa de la Abuela, a weekend getaway for a close-knit family. "La Casa de la Abuela" translates to "Grandmother's House". Rafael Gamo Accentuating the connections between the interiors and the sumptuous views of its lakeside location are large windows and openings that bridge the gap between the indoors and outdoors while allowing a maximum of light into the dwelling.  Rafael Gamo Casa de la Abuela is composed of three structures made of a material palette of reinforced concrete, white handcrafted brick and black-tiled roofs. The living spaces are appointed to a central area between two other gable roof volumes hosting the kitchen on one side and an open terrace on the ot... More

This large concrete residence overlooking Lake Travis exemplifies luxury living. Natural materials and landscape blend the building into the surrounding environment and take advantage of the views. Large expansive glass and a wrap-around pool allow views from every aspect of the house. More

We were inspired to create our first authentic living space to reflect our client’s desire to live and work in his painting studio. The design emulates his painting style and personal lifestyle by using natural materials, minimalist values, and bridging social context within a live-work environment. The overall form takes on an ethos of monumental simplicity which inherently captures panoramic lake views from the steep mountainside terrain. ​ As part of authentic living, this studio is entirely devoid of added paints or stains. The exterior walls are made of exposed rammed earth construction set atop a giant plinth of exposed concrete. The interior features natural plywood finishes and exposed structural beams. We focused all of our... More

This project is situated in Whistler beautifully positioned on the lake front. A loft style open plan is applied and the program is deconstructed into two primary structures. The glazing carefully frames mountain views and the house is integrated into the landscape for a family retreat.  More