Dualistic Lake House Design in Western Massachusetts

The Dualistic Character of the Lake House in Western Massachusetts
The Lake House project by Taylor and Miller Architecture and Design in Western Massachusetts is a stunning example of how a building can maintain a dualistic relationship with its surroundings. From the street, the abstract form of the house reveals no openings or apertures. However, as one approaches the house from the walking path towards the lake, the house opens itself up to the surroundings, revealing a singular stacked timber wall that becomes punctured intensely as the home turns towards the lake.

Spatial Leaks and Specific Views of the Lake
The stacked timber wall not only serves as a primary enclosure for the home but also acts as a retaining wall for the landscape in which the home is embedded. The series of sleeves that break through the timber act as spatial leaks, allowing the interior spaces to reach out to the lake in the form of very specific views. As one moves through one of the sleeves and into the interior of the home, two different spatial orientations are introduced - one horizontal orientation defined by the sleeves looking out to the lake and a vertical orientation defined by the sleeves looking up to the sky.

Distinct Materiality of Spaces
The two types of spaces are defined differently in their materiality. The spaces oriented horizontally are characterized by neutral tones and materiality, creating a calming and serene atmosphere. On the other hand, the spaces oriented vertically are characterized by intense changes in material, such as hot-rolled steel in the kitchen, stacked plywood in the entry vestibule, and rusted steel in the stair. These spaces provide a kind of cinematic 'hard cut' that interrupts the modernist notion of continuous flowing space as they present themselves between the horizontal spaces of more neutral character.

In conclusion, the Lake House project by Taylor and Miller Architecture and Design is a testament to the power of architecture to create a dualistic relationship with its surroundings. The abstract form of the house from the street, the singular stacked timber wall, and the sleeves that act as spatial leaks all contribute to this unique relationship. The distinct materiality of the spaces creates a dynamic and engaging interior that complements the stunning views of the lake.

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