Houses come in many shapes, from basic boxes to domes to intricate geometric forms. For Russ and Mary Horsch, the just-right shape for their new home’s floor plan turned out to be the letter H. click here, click here
“They wanted a connection to what was happening out on the lake,” said Wagner, of SALA Architects. That led to the idea of two building elements, a pair of separate wings “wedged” apart, with one set at a slight angle to maximize views. click here, click here
The Horsches’ distinctive dwelling is a stark contrast to the mostly traditional older homes around it. click here, click here
Being inside the screened porch or the living room, both of which face the lake and the street, is almost like being part of the action outside, with its parade of pedestrians and cyclists. click here, click here
The Horsches’ deep attachment to their neighborhood is what led them to the home in the first place. click here, click here
The house needed some updating, so the Horsches consulted with Wagner, whose work they had admired. But the soil conditions of the site and the rambler’s inadequate foundation made remodeling impractical. “It was cost-prohibitive,” Wagner said. “We moved on and started fresh,” tearing down the old house to make way for a new one. click here, click here
“We didn’t want a great room; we wanted a separate living and dining room,” Mary said. “I love having large family gatherings, and I like the dining table to be in a separate room. I don’t want the mess of cooking in the same room.” click here, click here
Because of the lot’s soil and drainage requirements, the new home sits on a raised slab, built on pilings, which gives it an elevated vantage point on its bustling lake setting. “The water table dictated where the slab could be,” Wager said. “It meant the main level of the house had to be sitting up out of the ground.” click here, click here
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