Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Glen Lake Tower

Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating

GLEN LAKE TOWER

Balance Associates Architects

YEAR
2011

LOCATION
United States

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Quantum Consulting Engineers

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Margo Peterson-aspholm, Kyle Zerbey

CATEGORY
Houses

AREA
1400 ft²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Steve Keating

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Tom Lenchek 

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Golden Rule Construction

High on a wooded hilltop above a lake in Michigan, the Tower House is the result of an inspiring collaboration between Balance Associates, clients with a passion for architecture as well as their site, and a skilled local contractor.

Directed to create “a sustainable retreat that reflects the timeless beauty and simple comforts of the area,” the architects responded by raising the primary living space above the dense surrounding woods in order to gain light, air and views of Glen Lake and Lake Michigan beyond.

Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating

Two fin-like, metal-clad walls rise from the crown of the hill to support a 1400 sf three-story plywood box suspended a full story above grade.

Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating

As intricately detailed steel stairs climb the tower, they move from exterior to interior and from more enclosed to more open spaces, culminating in a breathtaking, glass-wrapped kitchen/living/dining space at the fourth level.

Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating

Here, thirty feet above the ground, the clients enjoy views of the landscape they love, from either the birch-lined interior or expansive cantilevered decks.


Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
© Steve Keating


Glen Lake Tower
Elevation
Glen Lake Tower
Elevation


Glen Lake Tower
Section
Glen Lake Tower
Section


Glen Lake Tower
Plan
Glen Lake Tower
Plan
Glen Lake Tower
Site Plan

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects
T +1 206 2839930
Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects
224 W Galer St Ste Main, Seattle, WA 98119, United States