Door County Retreat
West Studio, LTD - Architects · Sevastopol, WI
Overview
Nestled in the woods, the single-story L-shaped plan is divided into two wings: the more public gathering living wing and the more private bedroom wing. The two wings meet at the central masonry fireplace hearth, the symbolic center of family life. Cantilevered roofs appear to float as they extend outward from the core of the house. Natural materials flow seamlessly from inside to the outside creating a strong visual connection between the inside and outside.
A family weekend retreat nestled in the natural wooded landscape of Door County Wisconsin. The single-story L- shaped plan wraps around a garden terrace and is divided into two wings: the more public gathering living wing and the more private bedroom wing. The two wings meet at the central masonry fireplace/kitchen core with the fireplace hearth being the symbolic center of family life. Cantilevered roofs appear to float as they extend outward from the masonry core across the brick masses that anchor the house to its site. The outreaching overhangs provide passive solar heating and natural cooling while the clerestory windows provide natural filtered light into the core of the house. Narrow horizontal bands of windows on the street side provide privacy, natural light, cross ventilation and tree top views while large expanses of glass on the backside welcome nature into the home. Natural materials consisting of brick, wood, glass and a single concrete floor/terrace slab flow seamlessly from the inside to the outside of the house creating a strong visual connection between the inside and outside.
Gallery