Modern guest house with stone facade and autumn trees.

A modern lakefront guest house with a stone facade, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.

Story

A modern sanctuary on Lac du Flambeau, merging nature and design. Set amidst the oak and white pine forests of Wisconsin, this guest house by Vetter Architects is a testament to the harmonious blend of rugged materials and panoramic vistas. Perched on a bluff, the home offers an immersive experience of the lake's pristine beauty, a cherished part of the family's heritage. The architecture is a dialogue with the landscape, where rough-cut fieldstone and expansive glass panels create a dynamic facade. The southern facade's fieldstone continues indoors, forming a dramatic two-story fireplace, while the lake-facing side is a canvas of glass, inviting natural light and framing serene water views. The entry sequence begins with a covered approach, leading to a custom pivoting wood door that opens into a welcoming foyer. The living room, with its full wall of windows, seamlessly connects to an outdoor patio and kitchen, encouraging fluid movement between interior and exterior spaces. Above, a loft provides a vantage point over the living area, enhancing the spatial experience. The dining area, positioned strategically between the living room and kitchen, features a custom wood table and a sculptural chandelier, offering a visual connection to the textured stone fireplace. The kitchen's design continues the theme with rift-sawn white oak cabinetry, a stone backsplash, and a striking black metal hood. A staircase with metal railings and white oak treads links the main floor to the loft and lower level, maintaining a cohesive material palette. The lower level transforms into an entertainment hub, complete with a bowling alley, bar, arcade, and sauna, while outdoor amenities include a bocce court and a boathouse with a rooftop deck and dock.

Design Highlights

Material Palette: Rough-cut fieldstone, expansive glass, rift-sawn white oak, and black metal. Spatial Flow: Seamless indoor-outdoor transition with a full wall of windows and glass doors. Entertainment Spaces: Lower level with bowling alley, bar, arcade, sauna, and outdoor bocce court. Waterfront Connection: Steps leading to a boathouse with a rooftop deck and dock.

Key Facts

Aspect Detail
Location Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Architect Vetter Architects
Interior Design Amy Carman Design
Construction Ruvin Brothers
Custom Work ADK Design

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior: Rough-cut fieldstone set in thick mortar on the southern facade.
  • Interior: Hand-applied masonry and fieldstone for the fireplace.
  • Interior: Rift-sawn white oak cabinetry in the kitchen.

Materials

  • Fieldstone — Exterior facade and interior fireplace.
  • Glass — Large windows and doors for natural light and views.
  • Wood — Interior cabinetry and flooring.
  • Metal — Kitchen hood and staircase railings.

Construction / Systems

  • Facade system: Combination of fieldstone and glass.
  • Structural system: Not explicitly detailed in the text.

Products

  • Furniture — Custom wood table — by Michael Dreeben (Dining area)
  • Lighting — Sculptural chandelier — by David Weeks (Dining area)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Gray, Natural wood tones
  • Lighting: Natural light through large windows, supplemented by recessed lighting.

Similar projects

More related projects

Projects by the architect

View Vetter Architects

No other projects found for this architect yet.