Design Challenge: Create a retirement home on a parcel with main views of inland lake and secondary views from higher up of Lake Michigan. Home to be set up as "cottage," yet be suitable for more formal entertaining.

Design Program: Using "cottage" materials, we created two styles from the exterior. The two street sides are more formal with the back sides being more cottage-like. The house is set up vertically for formal entertaining on the main level, family common spaces in the lower level with pool access, family bedrooms on the second floor and an "aerial" office on the third floor with views to both lakes.

Design Solution: Placing the family cottage spaces, such as screen porch, deck and grille, lower patio and pool, outdoor storage, dumbwaiter and garages to the rear and connected to the lower level common family spaces and the kitchen on the main level allowed for the first floor formal areas. Two stairways at each end of the home provided circulation to all levels without compromising the center usable space.

Client Response: The home meets all of the family’s goals and needs with spaces for the future extended family to congregate. The owners look forward to relocating to this main residence in the near future.