PROJECT Renovations to a Log Cabin Lake House

LOCATION  McHenry, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  4/15/2017

ARCHITECT  Muse Architects

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER  

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  William Kirwan, AIA LEED AP

OWNER/CLIENT

CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Jeff Gosnell, Gosnell Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHER  Erik Kvalsvik: Architectural & Interiors

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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  

PROGRAM

This project is a complete interior modernization of a log cabin house overlooking Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. While the owners were comfortable with the log cabin aesthetic for the exterior of the home given the setting, they disliked the dark interiors and limited exterior views that the log cabin interior offered. The poorly located fireplace on the main level of the great room and the
flanking traditional sliding doors greatly restricted the wonderful view of the lake that the siting of the house offered, as did the heavy timber interior and exterior guardrails. Furthermore, the owners preferred a brighter and visually cleaner aesthetic that would reflect their preference in modern design and furnishings.

SOLUTION

With the goal of having the greatest impact in the fewest number of moves, our most important and singular physical alteration was to relocate a new fireplace on the wall adjacent to its former location in the great room. This provided the opportunity to significantly increase the amount and height of the glazing on the lake view facing wall. We employed folding glass wall systems to maximize the views and to allow the exterior wall to completely open to the deck beyond.

Exterior and interior timber walls were all fully sheathed in painted drywall. The ceilings of the great room and dining area remained timber but were painted the same color as the walls to brighten those surfaces while retaining some elements of the home’s timber construction. The main stair was rebuilt in steel with reclaimed white oak treads, as a single stair run to eliminate the former stair landing that had blocked views through the house before. Interior and exterior heavy timber railings were replaced in steel with cable rails to make them more visually transparent. All the floors on the main and upper levels were replaced with reclaimed white oak.

The original stained cherry kitchen cabinets were painted and the door and drawer hardware replaced. New countertops were selected in leathered black granite. The kitchen ceiling was sheathed in drywall in order to facilitate the installation of LED downlights to improve the lighting in the space.

In addition to the exterior alterations made to the lake view façade and railings, the entire house was re-stained a darker sepia color, the existing exterior windows and doors were painted to match the bronze color of the new folding and fixed windows on the lake view façade, and a charcoal-colored accent stain was selected for the eaves and rake boards.
 

JURY COMMENTS (If Applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)

1. View of Renovated Great Room and Improved View of Deep Creek Lake, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
2. View of Renovated Lake Facing Facade, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
3. View of Renovated Great Room and Improved View of Deep Creek Lake, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik

4. Entry, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
5. Renovated Great Room and Loft, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
6. Improved View of Deep Creek Lake, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
7. View of Renovated Great Room from Entry Hall, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
8. View of Renovated Great Room, Photo: Erik Kvalsvik