design · No. 1205

let’s move in: the one with the views

BY: anastasia foggy

Let’s talk about a dream house. Set on a windswept hilltop in one of our favorite corners of northern Michigan, this quiet tower rises above a cherry orchard with the most jaw dropping west facing views of Lake Michigan. Designed by the renowned San Francisco architects at Anderson Anderson, every single level of this home is about one thing: views on views on views.

And the careful design choices don’t stop witht he views. Known as the Cameleon House, the translucent polyethylene cladding reflects the changing colors of the landscape: snow, blossoms, leaves, and more helping the building blend into its surroundings. Soo cool, right?

The architects managed to keep the land feeling almost untouched. They carved the foundation between two soft earthen mounds, sculpted from the site’s own soil, which ground the structure and create contrast to the airy treetops.

And because of the natural slope of the land, you enter the house on the third level (!!!). From there, it’s all about flowing up to the main living space or down to the cozy kids’ rooms below.

A total dream, rooted in the earth, but reaching straight for the sky.

I’m calling the movers today! Pack with us below.

Taking a cue from the architects’ thoughtful connection to the land, I’ve let the surrounding landscape guide my interior decisions. Especially in terms of color and shape. The ever changing blues of Lake Michigan, the hues of sunrise and sunset, and the vibrant greens of the trees. These tones complement the warmth of the wood clad interior.

But it’s not just about color. We must capture the mood and movement of what we see out the window. The ripples in the sofa, the wrinkled vase, and the sculptural coffee table all reflect the essence of what draws us here in the first place: Lake Michigan.