Hemlock House

Hemlock House is a remote vacation retreat sited atop a bluff at the edge of one Michigan’s pristine inland lakes. The site is characterized by a mixed forest of eastern hemlock and deciduous trees. The post-and-beam structural frame is clad in hemlock shingles milled from trees felled on site and kiln-dried. The simple cladding echoes local architectural traditions while the corten steel roof wraps down the sides of the structure creating a durable and low-maintenance shell.

The home is designed for minimal impact to the site and minimal resource dependency. Hydronic radiant heat in the concrete slabs act as a thermal battery; shop-fabricated Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) create a high-performance building envelope which can be lifted into place reducing construction times and waste; Gas-powered appliances and equipment are replaced with electric alternatives and air source heat pumps which not only reduce the dependence on fossil fuels but improve indoor air quality by eliminating combustion within the home.