The Lookout

Rarely does one homesite possess a hilltop vista within the sheltering tranquility of a valley. This home is surrounded by native hardwood forest on 97 acres that includes creeks, ponds, pastures, and timber. Situated on a rise within a broad valley, the views from this home are spectacular. Our clients are nature lovers, hunters, and certified native plant experts. Our challenge was to create a design that honored the stunning natural setting.

The homeowners were no strangers to complex renovations and home builds and came into the project with solid ideas about house placement on the land and overall design. Our clients worked with the LWB design and construction teams to incorporate the existing farm buildings into the site plan. A custom greenhouse was designed and built on the foundation of the original home— the basement of which now houses a new game processing kitchen. The new primary home now lies further east at the apex of the same hill. A garden and pathway to the home lie between the two structures.

The home itself is on the smaller side of the custom build spectrum, totaling 1700 sq. ft, The house is built for two yet provides enough space for modern amenities. Highlights of the design include an observation lookout tower, screened porch, polished cement floors, and metal siding. Windows are prevalent and showcase the intense beauty of the valley. Native grasses and plantings, designed and installed by the homeowners, complement the structure’s modern construction and clean lines. 

With limited space under the roof, creativity in the structure was needed to ensure the interior spaces were as roomy as possible. Large spans and open spaces were achieved with the combination of structural glulam beams and structural insulated panels (SIPS) for the roof. There is no wasted space in this home– a testament to the discipline of both the design team and the clients. 

Collaborating with these incredible clients on this creative and inspiring design-build project was exciting for our team and will certainly be remembered as one of our favorites.

Photos by: Nolan Calisch