Lakehouse

Project Details

Context is the leading factor in this project. Lakehouse has an attitude of playing well with the surroundings. It aims to sit on the land without disturbing any existing elements. The concept was requested by a family of four. A single-family residence with separate wings that are connected with one big massing unit that functions as the common spaces.

The main mass acts as the backbone of the structure; it embodies programs within such as the living room, dining room and lounges for big gatherings and events. The private spaces sit above and host the master bedroom and two bedrooms within. The second wing is the middle ground. It was requested as a multi-functional space where according to the scenario it could change into a full-scale home office or a secondary more private lounge. The structure was planned ready for a separation scenario, this would mean every mass of the building could act as an individual household with full utility and separate circulation paths if needed.

Framing is second to context in terms of importance in this project, views are extremely dominant and acts as the main deciding factor for the project axis’s. The boundaries and definition of what is inside versus what is outside has to be very blur at times because inviting the nature and site qualities around the house is essential when you are next to the waterfront. It would be a missed opportunity not to hover over the lake with one sliding door.

Structural studies were a bit of a challenge, it was very vital not to crowd the project with columns and other supporting tools while maintaining a cantilevering effect. Cantilevering structures above water was one way of minimizing the boundaries between the lake and the household and allowed the block to adjust their views and sunlight placement.

Last but not least lake house recognizes the importance of self-sustaining energy, while the renders don’t speak loudly on this matter, the background details and systems including mechanical, engineering and plumbing was designed to utilize the most out of sunlight, wind and filter the lake water for minor household goals without causing any issues to the ecological order of the site.

We tried our best to find the perfect balance between our client’s requests and what we thought the getaway home of 2022 would be and how it would respect the environmental issues.

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