Norris Lake House
Residential
Used as a personal and business retreat, this custom Lake House features spaces for family and guests to relax, connect, and enjoy the natural beauty of Norris Lake. Designed as a concentric arc, the shape of the house takes full advantage of its site on the peninsula and offers full views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the sweep of the lake.
Awards Year | 2024
Project Statement
Used as a personal and business retreat, this custom Lake House features spaces for family and guests to relax, connect, and enjoy the natural beauty of Norris Lake. Designed as a concentric arc, the shape of the house takes full advantage of its site on the peninsula and offers full views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the sweep of the lake. The curved massing echoes the shape of the peninsula and welcomes visitors as they descend the mountain drive and approach the home. This curvature is repeated in the shape of the roof and the double arched ceiling.
The pastoral retreat is fully immersed in the landscape around it, sitting as a quiet observer of the ecosystem it is placed within. Each level of the house was carefully planned to work with the topography of the site while guarding it from the floodplain. The northern façade acts as a solid shell that provides privacy, while the fully glass southern façade ensures that every vantage point of the lake is visible throughout.
Throughout the home, eclectic artifacts were carefully selected by the owner, creating unique moments of delight and discovery. Carefully curated building materials, light fixtures, and furniture include textural stone and wood, bringing the outdoors in. The design team worked closely with the owners on every aspect of design, a collaborative effort that left no detail overlooked. As entrepreneurs and artists, all design decisions highlighted their love of nature and the work of artisans.
Framework for Design Excellence Narrative
**Design for Water/Ecosystems**
- The edge of the peninsula is protected by riprap, a stone border that protects the land from erosion due to the changing seasonal water levels.
**Design for Integration**
- The multi-level home integrates within the sloped site, revealing itself as visitors descend down the drive around the footpath.
- The southern façade of the house is fully glass, allowing occupants to become immersed in the surrounding landscape with full views of the lake and mountains. The central living space features foldable glass partitions that open fully to the patio and outdoor dining, creating a seamless connection between the indoors and the outdoors.
- Low seating was selected for outdoor spaces such that the full landscape is visible from the interior of the home.
**Design for Discovery**
- The house is designed sectionally, where only the top floor is visible as you descend the drive onto the peninsula. As visitors approach the building, they are brought around to the lower levels nestled against the lakeside.
- Throughout the home, eclectic artifacts were carefully selected from around the world, creating unique moments of delight and discovery. The resin-inlaid kitchen cabinetry and dining table were designed and fabricated by a wood craftsman to accomplish a one-of-a-kind design.
LEED/Green Certifications
N/A
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