Modern-Industrial Lakeside House For A Family Of Eight
Located on the shore of Lake Waconia, this residence stands between tall trees with big canopies, featuring the beautiful lake on one side and a grove with 200 year old oak trees on the other. It was designed by ALTUS Architecture+Design for a family of eight and the style chosen is a combination of modern and industrial elements. Their clients enjoy an active lifestyle and the design of the house reflects that.
The design as a whole is mostly simple, with a big emphasis on transparency and natural light. The light that enters the spaces is filtered through the tree canopies and most indirect. As far as the internal organization of the spaces is concerned, the house is structured into two wings and a total of three main volumes. The distinction between these is emphasizes on the exterior of the house through the use of different materials and colors for the facades.
The functions are structured on two levels. The ground floor is where an indoor swimming pool is situated along with a series of social spaces. This volume is covered in white stucco on the outside. The upper level is divided into two wings. One houses the master suite and an exercise area and the other contains the kids’ bedrooms, two bathrooms and the laundry area. The first wing has a dark brick exterior and the other is clad in wood.
At the center of the house is the living room which is a double-height space with full-height glass walls on the North and South sides and with direct access to the outdoor areas. It has concrete flooring, a dark ceiling, white walls and a metal staircase which offers access to the upper level. The colors used throughout are limited to gray and other neutrals combined with bright yellow accents and the fresh green nuances coming from the garden.
The kitchen is large and very spacious, with big windows all around and with a a large island with seating for all eight family members. Since the walls are not suitable for furniture installation, all the kitchen’s storage capabilities are clustered into the lower cabinets and the island.
The private wings are each special in their own way. The master suite takes advantage of the views and welcomes the outdoors in while the kids’ wing features three two-level loft beds with ladders, light sconces and minimalist designs. The space has a vivid color palette, featuring plywood wall sections colored in green and blue. Although the decor is simplistic, the space doesn’t lack character. In fact, it’s quirky and pretty fun.