13 minute read
Organically Organically MODERN MODERN
TEXT BY LYNN BAKEMAN IMAGES BY ASHLEY AVILA
Many people are happy with the status quo, while others are ready for a transition in life. The young family who built this home did their research and chose principal and architect Eric De
Witt and architect Dana Grassmid of Lucid
Architecture to shake things up.
They were leaving behind a more traditional home and Eric’s award-winning firm took the lead. “Modern design is our native design language and one we speak fluently; the homeowners came to us ready and willing to embrace those concepts.”
The homeowners had driven by one of Lucid Architecture’s homes and noted, “Their eye-catching design stands out among the typical Western Michigan homes and brought our car to a standstill. We followed their work on social media over several years admiring the clean lines and simplicity of modern design. Once we were prepared to build, we knew they would design our home.”
Embracing any home on this particular non-conforming lot would be tricky. As Dana explained, “Site analysis is critical to how our home design engages with the topography. We devote a lot of time to understanding the constraints and environmental characteristics of the land before we even begin designing the home.”
This site had an extremely tight footprint, so Lucid had to get a variance and approvals to work their magic. This included mitigating and managing significant slopes — both side-to-side and front to back toward the lake — which involved building a large retaining wall. Building up was the only option and modern design was perfect for this.
As fate would have it, this resulted in this home’s distinctive and stunning cantilevered entrance. Respectful of a neighboring home, the windows and living space are oriented toward either a park or lake view.
The home’s distinctive cantilevered entrance includes cedar on the soffit of the armature that forms the home’s dramatic front entry. Cedar was strategically placed to add inviting warmth anywhere the home is accessed. It covers the porch ceiling and walls, and adds depth to the water-view side of the home.
The exterior also features corrugated metal stretching horizontally — a surprisingly low-maintenance element. Cement board siding provides a neutral backdrop to the dramatic application of vertical cedar boards. The pristine landscaping by Landscape Design Services, complements the modern design. “Many of us at Lucid love the outdoors and believe that designing homes that have connections to it are important to the wellbeing of its users,” Dana continued. By considering the site’s unique features and how the sun interacts with interior spaces, we incorporated expansive views of Pigeon Lake, especially upon entry and from key spaces within, as a critical way to connect this home to its setting. We did 3-D exterior and interior modeling work so the clients were comfortable with how their future home spaces would feel.”
“Honestly, the design is exactly how we pictured it,” added the homeowner. “It didn’t hurt that very early on in the design process with Lucid, they provided several renderings on the final project. I’m a visual person so this was perfect for me.”
Firmly engaged with their home’s modern design, the homeowners clicked with Rod Obbink of Holland-based Rod Obbink Builders, Inc. and selected interior designer Amanda Huizenga of Amanda Christine Design to execute a cohesive look inside the home. “Working with something non-conventional like a contemporary house dictates its own challenges,” commented Rod. “The architecture was structurally engineered and well spelled out with quite a bit of steel within the confines of the superstructure, but it was kind of fun doing something different than what we normally do.” Rod did his research and approached the build with his typical desire to execute the design to the highest standards.
“Lucid” means expressed clearly or suffused with light, both perfectly descriptive of the architectural language spoken by Eric’s firm. He explained, “Our Lucid approach often relies on steel to create that little bit of magic that happens from long spans of glass with maximum openings that just can’t be achieved with a woodframed structure.”
Lucid selected durable corrugated metal stretching horizontally as a surprising low-maintenance exterior element that grounds the home. Cement board siding provides a neutral backdrop to the dramatic application of vertical cedar boards.
The great room is anchored by a custom concrete fireplace with reveals engineered by Hard Topix, a Jenison company that echoed a similar design in the kitchen range hood. The polished concrete floors with exposed aggregate are naturally decorative and impervious to damage and root the home with a solid organic feel. The clean lines of the fumishings from The Home Studio complete the intended design beautifully. Cedar is also strategically placed to add inviting warmth anywhere the home is accessed. It figures predominantly on the soffit of the armature that forms the home’s dramatic front entry, on the porch ceiling and walls, and adds depth to the water-view side of the home.
Despite the narrow lot boundaries, the Lucid architects were able to open up the interior to three levels that accommodate an active family who enjoys water recreation and entertaining. A solid walnut tread floating stairway was strategically situated inside the front corner of the home to filter natural light into the living spaces as well as allow for visual connection out to the adjacent park.
A custom, hot-rolled steel door opens into the middle level of this home which immediately offers panoramic views of the lake through floor-to-ceiling windows. Eric and Dana keyed in the general flavor and architectural direction of the interior, then handed it off to Amanda to run with it.
Amanda explains her approach: “Working on modern home design felt fresh; the architectural details were so clean and the textures and details so interesting, that I felt inspired to add to that statement.” Both of the homeowners liked the appeal of the crisp white backdrop with bold pops of color that add so much personality to each room of the house. Amanda used her 3-D drawing programs to design the cabinetry which then led into many of the other selections and details.
“We could not have done this project without the help and guidance of Amanda,” stated the homeowner. “She was in on it from the very beginning helping with design and layout, and to the very end picking out furniture, accessories, and everything in between. This was critical since we were starting over with a completely different design
Walnut cabinetry takes center stage in the kitchen. The beautiful grain is balanced by the clean lines of the pendant lights, a white waterfall quartz island from Duca Tile and the reflective glass tile walls that reach the ceiling.
A custom spalted maple dining table is surrounded by Herman Miller Eames chairs giving the room a playful pop of color.
Another focal point in this room is the walnut-trimmed coffee and beverage bar that serves the main floor area.
A hot-rolled steel door opens into the home’s foyer where panoramic views of the lake are unavoidable through floor-to-ceiling windows. A solid walnut tread floating stairway was strategically situated inside the front corner of the home to filter natural light into the living spaces.
style compared to our previous house. We knew what we were drawn to, but her leading us there was exactly what we needed. She offered great guidance but also took into consideration some of our ideas as well. It was a perfect mix!”
One of the most impactful features of this home is the detailed craftsmanship of the cabinetry found throughout, courtesy of Van Enk Woodcrafters. Father and son team, David and Ben Van Enk, blend old-world artistry with the latest technology to produce custom wood projects of some of the highest quality and value available.
Another interesting design statement is directly underfoot. Commonly used in commercial applications, polished concrete floors with exposed aggregate are naturally decorative and impervious to damage and root the home with a solid organic feel.
Lucid accommodated the extra loading in the structural design and actually poured the concrete floors on top of the wood structure rather than the more commercial approach over a full steel structure. This allowed for a more cost efficient application that integrated easily with radiant heat used throughout the home.
These did create construction sequencing challenges for Rod, such as when to pour the concrete, frame in the walls, complete the finish work, then polish the concrete. Additionally, cold weather made for challenging pours and they had to watch carefully for stress cracks, but Rod worked carefully with his contractors to efficiently manage the project.
The great room is anchored by a custom concrete fireplace with reveals engineered by Hard Topix, a Jenison company that Amanda used to echo a similar design in the kitchen range hood.
Amanda let the warm elements of Van Enk Woodcrafters’ masterful walnut grain work take center stage in the kitchen. She balanced the strong elements of concrete and wood with the clean lines of the pendant lights, a white waterfall quartz island and reflective glass tile walls that reach the ceiling.
– Dana Grassmid, Lucid Architecture
A custom spalted maple dining room table is a beautiful statement piece. Spalting is sought by woodworkers for its unique coloration and patterning caused by fungi, beetles, or other environmental stressors. The table is surrounded by Herman Miller Eames chairs giving the room a playful pop of color. Uplighting around the ceiling edge and a unique sculptural lighting piece gives the open space a nice boundary. Another focal point in this room is a walnut-trimmed coffee bar that serves the main floor area.
The home’s trim work is quite striking. “We incorporated a flush base with a reveal detail,” explained Dana. “Typically baseboards are applied to the face of the wall. Because this base is flush, there's not a lot of tolerance so it requires extra work from Rod to get things just right. The reveal also adds a little shadow that draws attention to it; it’s a really sharp look that fits in with the rest of the modern design of the home.”
Rod adds, “Because it’s such a clean look, it seems like it may be simpler, but it’s actually quite a bit more difficult because you have no tolerances for moving things around especially with drywall connections and near doorways and windows. Lucid Architecture’s forte is contemporary homes, so they did a good job detailing out the trim specifications and they are a very user-friendly firm. They were always willing to help us in any kind of little
The top floor was designated for the family’s bedrooms creating a very private level. Right-sized rooms each have a strong outdoor connection.
In the Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting the children’s bedrooms, Hard Topix formed a concrete trough sink and countertop. Custom metal mirrors float from counter to ceiling and reflect the bold tile work in the shower.
Walnut bedroom furniture in the owner’s suite with its rich color is carried into the ensuite bathroom in cabinets and builtins. Oversized 24- by 24-inch porcelain tile floors also create the walls in the glass-in shower by Sligh Closet and Glass.
Just off the great room is a porch cleverly notched into the building envelope. “Because of the building restrictions and the fact that we had to build right up to that setback line off the water side of the house, we couldn’t construct an exterior deck or build stairs coming down off the back of the house,” noted Eric. “We had many discussions about how to facilitate that connection to the waterfront activities. We achieved much of that with open window expanses and by carving that space out of the main floor living space.”
The top floor of the home was designated for the family’s bedrooms creating a very private level. Right-sized rooms each have a strong outdoor connection with park or water views. Van Enk Woodcrafters created the walnut bedroom furniture in the owner’s suite and its rich color is carried into the ensuite bathroom in cabinets and built-ins.
The home’s lower level serves as an entertainment hub. With immediate outdoor access to the lake, hot tub, and built-in fire pit, many of the home’s conveniences are located here including a well-stocked wet bar that frames the room with brilliant blue cabinetry.
This cheerful sonic blue color scheme is continued in the additional lakeside laundry room and lower level bathroom with its vivid floor-to-ceiling tile and crisp white floating vanity.
Oversized 24 by 24 porcelain tile floors also create the walls in the glass-in shower room.
In the Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting the children’s bedrooms, Amanda and the homeowner selected materials that reflect that childhood is fleeting, and this room will still suit the boys as they age. Hard Topix also formed the concrete trough sink and countertop, and Amanda had custom metal mirrors made that float from counter to ceiling.
The home’s lower level is not an afterthought since it serves as an important family and entertainment hub. With immediate outdoor access to the lake, hot tub, and built-in fire pit, many home conveniences are located here including a well-stocked wet bar that frames the room with brilliant blue cabinetry.
This cheerful sonic blue color scheme is continued in the additional lakeside laundry room and in the bathroom with its vivid floor-to-ceiling tile and crisp white floating vanity.
The attributes, form and function of this home are a perfect fit for this active, young family. Dana summarizes this accomplishment saying, “Open, airy, and unobstructed spaces, something found often in modern designs, are modeled here in the social areas of the home. Not only were our clients attracted to the appearance and feel provided by this openness, it allows for spaces to appear larger, more natural light to penetrate in, and ease communication and fam❂ily connectedness across rooms.”
RESOURCE INDEX
BUILDER Rod Obbink Builders, Inc. ARCHITECT Lucid Architecture INTERIOR DESIGN Amanda Christine Design
CONCRETE Hard Topix COUNTERTOPS Duca Tile ELECTRICAL ENS Electric, Inc. GLASSWORK/SHOWER Sligh Closet & Glass FURNISHINGS The Home Studio LANDSCAPING Landscape Design Services
