Pigeon Creek Residence melded into Michigan’s woodlands

The Pigeon Creek Residence is located in western Michigan in a densely forested site overlooking the Pigeon Creek wetland.  Designed by Lucid Architecture for a young family with two children, the building form is shaped by the owner’s desire for a distinctly modern home which feels warm, open, and comfortable, and has a strong connection to the outdoors.

As one enters the site, the drive takes a serpentine bend and one crosses a subtle mark on the landscape left by a railroad over 100 years ago.  Moving north on the drive parallel to the abandoned railroad grade, the home is revealed in the distance as it slides into sight out of the forest.  The entry path to the house steps up onto a floating cedar deck, before turning to align with the main circulation axis of the house.

Recalling the rail cars that once traversed the site, the main form of the house is a 20’ x 80’ tall slender box.  Extending at both ends with views into the site, the main circulation path of the home echo’s the adjacent railroad bed running the length of the home.

At the south end of the box, with views into the yard to keep watch of two adventurous young girls, are the eating and kitchen spaces.  Separated from the active portion of the house by the nursery and stairway functions, the master bedroom suite to the north becomes a tranquil retreat overlooking the wetland and forest. At the foot of the custom designed bed, a massive sliding glass door disappears by subtly sliding into a hidden pocket.  The children’s bedrooms and a loft play area are located on the second floor.

Flanking the main volume of the house is the living area and service functions.  Blurring the lines between the architecture and the environment; the living area is anchored by a double-sided fireplace built with concrete block colored to match the bark of Beech trees growing on the site, and a 24’ sliding glass door opening to the outdoors.

The large roof overhang to the south provides complete shading of the living room in the summer, while allowing the sun to reach completely to the north wall of the room during the winter.

Exterior materials are extended into the interior of the living room creating a feeling of being outdoors while inside.  Reflecting the nature of the service areas of the home, the volume extending to the east is clad in a durable corrugated metal.

With a form inspired by a long abandoned railroad, the Pigeon Creek Residence stands as a beacon of modern architecture melded with the warmth and character of western Michigan’s woodlands.

Eagle Harbor Cabin on Lake Superior

The Eagle Harbor Cabin is located on a wooded waterfront property on Lake Superior, at the northerly edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 300 miles northeast of Minneapolis. Designed by Seattle-based studio, Finne Architects, the wooded 3-acre site features the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, a lake that sometimes behaves like the ocean. Here is a project description from the architects, “the 2,000 square foot cabin cantilevers out toward the water, with a 40-foot long glass wall facing the spectacular beauty of the lake. The cabin is composed of two simple volumes: a large open living/dining/kitchen space with an open timber ceiling structure and a 2-story “bedroom tower,” with the kids’ bedroom on the ground floor and the parents’ bedroom stacked above.

The interior spaces are wood paneled, with exposed framing in the ceiling. The cabinets use PLYBOO, a FSC-certified bamboo product, with mahogany end panels. The use of mahogany is repeated in the custom mahogany/steel curvilinear dining table and in the custom mahogany coffee table. The cabin has a simple, elemental quality that is enhanced by custom touches such as the curvilinear maple entry screen and the custom furniture pieces. The cabin utilizes native Michigan hardwoods such as maple and birch. The exterior of the cabin is clad in corrugated metal siding, offset by the tall fireplace mass of Montana ledgestone at the east end.

The house has a number of sustainable or “green” building features, including 2×8 construction (40% greater insulation value); generous glass areas to provide natural lighting and ventilation; large overhangs for sun and snow protection; and metal siding for maximum durability. Sustainable interior finish materials include bamboo/plywood cabinets, linoleum floors, locally-grown maple flooring and birch paneling, and low-VOC paints.”

Incredible penthouse in Corktown Historic District

This awesome penthouse is situated in the historic Corktown in Detroit, Michigan. This top floor, open plan unit features gorgeous views of the city skyline, high end kitchen appliances, hardwood floors throughout, two bedrooms and two bathrooms including a huge master bath with Jacuzzi tub and unique details that are very eye-catching. With only a close walk to downtown, this 6,000 square foot pad built in 1920 is the ultimate living quarters. Perfect for entertaining friends and a fantastic space for those who desire the raw edgy look. This fabulous penthouse has been featured in numerous design publications including HGTV!

This incredible pad is listed for $475,000, from here.

Centuries-old barn breathes new life

Gallery owner Judith Racht is the longtime owner of a working 60-acre farm outside Niles, Michigan, and an art and antiques gallery. Racht was determined to transform her dilapidated 200-year-old barn into a cutting-edge living space without losing its “feel of antiquity.” Consulting with Chicago-based Northworks Architects and Planners, the client wished to have a home that suited their contemporary tastes while respecting the local design vernacular.

Racht had purchased the property 29 years ago and was informed that the barn had been relocated onto the farm before the Civil War and was in danger of collapse. She had a local team of Amish craftsmen restore its structure and preserve the original beams and framing, which was then integrated into the new plans of the home. The architect polished the interior with reclaimed barn wood that melds with the beams and rafters. He selected painted aluminum for the exterior siding and roof and installed 15-foot-tall black steel windows on two sides of the barn and flanked them with crank-operated panels that slide open and shut like traditional barn doors.

The silo and the two interior “corncribs” atop the loft (concealing an elevator and the master bathroom) complete the illusion of a working barn. Designer furnishings were mixed with old pieces against weathered walls and ancient timbers. The main floor is decorated with a continually rotating collection of modern art. The open kitchen is lined with a steely array of high-tech appliances.

Photos: James Yochum

Zen house features striking lake views

This beautiful contemporary house located in Commerce, Michigan, has an amazing zen feeling right as you step inside the front door and bare witness to the amazing custom water feature with rocks and tall grasses. With its clean lines and use of neutral materials and bold pops of color, the home feels very tranquil. Featuring multiple roll up doors, the house has unencumbered views of the surrounding Union Lake. Designed by AZD Associates, this 5,100 square-foot house also boasts a green roof, fire pole, glass floors, enclosed screen porch, outdoor guest house and custom amenities around every corner. There is also a third floor office space for the homeowner to work from home, which features large glass windows lending way to incredible views of the lake for inspiration.    

This powder rooms features a custom made bath with waterfall faucet, concrete sink basin and great looking industrial hardware and foot pedal controls.