Lake Walloon Residence

Set along the shoreline of Walloon Lake, this 1970s shed style cottage was originally designed by two Cranbrook professors and carried a distinct, unconventional charm. The clients sought to preserve that character while transforming the home into a place that could comfortably support extended family life across long summer seasons.

To unlock the site’s potential, the original structure was carefully lifted and relocated fifty feet back from the water’s edge, meeting local zoning requirements while creating space for a substantial addition. New bedroom suites, a home office, laundry room, and two car garage were introduced at the rear of the property, allowing the original lake facing experience to remain intact. Above, a continuous shed dormer and a whimsical bubble window form a bunk room hideaway that has become a favorite gathering space for both children and adults.

Design decisions were guided by a refreshed interpretation of Michigan midcentury modernism. The exterior is wrapped in shou sugi ban siding and punctuated by bold red linear sconces that play off the home’s original handmade lighting. Inside, existing rough cedar cladding was preserved and extended, while salvaged stained glass windows were restored and reset into high performance units, maintaining their presence while updating their function.

Throughout the residence, classic midcentury forms are paired with custom designed furnishings, creating interiors that feel relaxed, cohesive, and personal. The result is a home that honors its origins while embracing the energy, flexibility, and joy of contemporary family life.