This Lake Michigan Home Centers Life Around an Island and a Hearth
Set along the rugged edge of Harbor Springs, Michigan, the Lower Shore Residence by Lucid Architecture embraces its position on Lake Michigan with a design tuned to water, wind, and seasonal change. The home is organized into three distinct volumes: two wood-clad wings for private functions and a taller, transparent core that gathers daily life while framing panoramic views of the lake.
At the center, a four-season room serves as the home’s heart. Spanning glulam beams and a steel framework support wide expanses of glass, creating a bright and flexible space anchored by cast-in-place concrete fireplaces. This structural clarity allows the landscape to flow visually through the interior, blending hearth, horizon, and open water in a single line of sight.
Durable materials—Accoya wood cladding, raw concrete, and painted steel—compose a palette that responds to both climate and place. Expansive lakeside glazing welcomes natural light while clerestory windows on the road-facing side preserve privacy and calm. With careful detailing at overhangs and high-performance insulation throughout, the residence is built to adapt, making family life comfortable year-round while reading as part of the shoreline itself.
The kitchen island and concrete fireplace define the open living space, creating warm gathering points while framing uninterrupted views of Lake Michigan.
