This rural site is set within a larger preserve at the edge of Lake Hagerman in the North Woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A new residence blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior space, taking advantage of significant views and physical connections to the surrounding forest and water’s edge. The site is organized as a series of woodland gardens that takes cues from the surrounding landscape of blueberry, bearberry, sumac, fern, shad, quaking aspen, birch, and spruce. Site water and drainage feed a passive water feature on the west side, and an active runnel moves water through an entry courtyard of site salvaged bedrock, gravel, and perennials. Durable materials are shared collectively between architecture and landscape, including aluminum, cast in place concrete, and wood.

Collaborators
Olson Kundig Architects

Photography
Ngoc Minh Ngo