Cushing Terrell

This private retreat of wood, glass, and concrete glows like a jewel box on the lake. The owners envisioned a family oasis that would be restful and serene, open and welcoming, and capable of entertaining large gatherings. They envisioned an environment that blended interior and exterior, seamlessly integrated into its stunning surroundings.

With only 40 days to design and submit the house for permit, construction and lead-times were expedited and material selection was limited. The key to realizing the house is such a short time period was exercising restraint to allow materials to express elegant, simple, and unobstructed beauty was the predominant challenge.

This streamlined and elegant single-family residence features outdoor environments and a large living space that are perfect for entertaining. The envelope allows for dynamic customization: with user-friendly smart technology, the home can easily transition from an open beachfront hangout to a cozy, blacked out theater. The interior and exterior are connected by operable glass hanger doors which frame vistas of the lake, landscaping, beach, and distant architecture. The house’s east-west orientation and south-facing 12 foot overhangs mitigate excess sun exposure and solar heat gain while maintaining expansive views. Finally, the materials link the landscape and building while creating a calm and comfortable home. The house is open and welcoming, but also uniquely private—a blank canvas customizable to suit any occasion.

The home is designed to be flexible and customizable. The operable hangar doors can enclose the living space or expose it to become part of the outdoors. Discreet, smart-panel-operated roller shades can disappear into the ceiling to frame a symmetrical view of the world-class vista. All the while, fully-integrated systems function out of sight to maintain user comfort.

The project was a fully integrated effort between design team, contractor, and owner. Multiple, weekly onsite meetings, a rigorous eye for detail, advance planning (ordering materials before the design was complete), and a focus on a simple yet elegant solution, guided the entire design and construction process. Close communication and a deep sense of trust enabled the team to develop an out of the box solution that was completed, from start to finish, within a year.

Project Team

Architecture: Cushing Terrell
Structural Engineer: Cushing Terrell
Mechanical Engineer: Cushing Terrell
Electrical Engineer: Cushing Terrell
Lighting: Cushing Terrell
Contractor: ESI, Inc.
Civil Engineer: KM Engineering
Geotechnical Engineer: MTI
Landscape: Wesley Baumgartner
Interior designer: Fitz | Murphey Interiors
Theatrical/AV: Audio Video Systems