Wheeler Kearns Architects Galien River Retreat

Wheeler Kearns Architects — Galien River Retreat

Description

2024 – Wood Design + Building Awards, Sansin Sponsored Award 2024 – Fay Jones School Alumni Design Awards Citation Award Perched on a bluff overlooking a meandering estuary, Galien River Retreat provides the complimentary antidote for urban pressures. The owners were drawn to the unique topography of this previously unbuilt corner lot, its river views, tall mature trees, and the promise of both prospect and refuge. The long, linear structure is oriented towards the river, featuring a large flat roof with extended eaves to protect the house, and a screen porch, designed without gutters for minimal maintenance. A pop-up second floor features a canted roof lifting toward the river views. High clerestory windows were deployed to ensure privacy on the streetside (refuge), while expansive glass and screening maximize connections to nature and family, (prospect). The arrival to the house is one of modesty, a slow drive up a narrow gravel drive to a low-slung free-standing garage and parking court, with a connected trellis that defines the home’s entry. At the heart of the design is the exposed glulam structure, which serves as both a central aesthetic feature and a means of seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Its rhythmic structure harmonizes with the surrounding trees, allowing for expansive glazed openings that span from column to column.

Details

Location Michigan

Year: 2023

Architect

Wheeler Kearns Architects

Photography

Steve Hall

Description

2024 – Wood Design + Building Awards, Sansin Sponsored Award 2024 – Fay Jones School Alumni Design Awards Citation Award Perched on a bluff overlooking a meandering estuary, Galien River Retreat provides the complimentary antidote for urban pressures. The owners were drawn to the unique topography of this previously unbuilt corner lot, its river views, tall mature trees, and the promise of both prospect and refuge. The long, linear structure is oriented towards the river, featuring a large flat roof with extended eaves to protect the house, and a screen porch, designed without gutters for minimal maintenance. A pop-up second floor features a canted roof lifting toward the river views. High clerestory windows were deployed to ensure privacy on the streetside (refuge), while expansive glass and screening maximize connections to nature and family, (prospect). The arrival to the house is one of modesty, a slow drive up a narrow gravel drive to a low-slung free-standing garage and parking court, with a connected trellis that defines the home’s entry. At the heart of the design is the exposed glulam structure, which serves as both a central aesthetic feature and a means of seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Its rhythmic structure harmonizes with the surrounding trees, allowing for expansive glazed openings that span from column to column.

Details

Location Michigan

Year: 2023

Architect

Wheeler Kearns Architects

Photography

Steve Hall

Exterior rear view of the Galien River Retreat showing extensive glazing and cantilevered roof.
Site plan of Galien River Retreat indicating building footprint and site features with natural contours and vegetation.First floor plan of Galien River Retreat showing entry, kitchen, living and dining areas, guest bedrooms, and exterior terraces.Second floor architectural plan shows primary bedroom with adjacent bathroom, additional bathroom, and office/exercise room.Site plan of Galien River Retreat highlighting driveway, hedge lawn, fire pit, bluff, and Galien River.First floor plan of the Galien River Retreat with designated entry, living spaces, bedrooms, baths, and exterior patios.Second floor plan of the Galien River Retreat depicting room arrangement and sanitary fixtures layout.Open plan living room with large windows overlooking wooded surroundings.Living room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and skylight overlooking pool area with pergola.Exterior rear view of the Galien River Retreat featuring a wood pergola and an outdoor pool.Exterior view of the Galien River Retreat showing the house with extensive glazing and a pool with a wooden pergola.Site plan of Galien River Retreat highlighting key landscape features and building layout.Architectural sketch depicting a long, bar-shaped building with a raised bedroom area, pool, and large yard space.Bedroom with large corner windows and a wood headboard bed, showcasing views of surrounding trees.Poolside view of Galien River Retreat showing a modern two-story house with wooden pergola and black siding.Modern retreat with extensive glazing, pergola-covered pool, and outdoor fire pit seating amid natural landscaping.Exterior view of the Galien River Retreat showing two-story structure with clerestory windows and exposed wooden beams under flat roofs.Living room and kitchen area with polished concrete floors and large glass windows overlooking a wooded exterior space.Living room with floor-to-ceiling glazing overlooking a pool and outdoor lounge area with a hanging wicker chair and contemporary furniture.Living room with floor-to-ceiling glazing, exposed wood beams, and a wood-burning fireplace with stacked firewood beside it.Bedroom with large windows and a wooden ceiling beam overlooking trees outside.Living room and office area with floor-to-ceiling corner windows and wood flooring.The Galien River Retreat features flat rooflines and extensive glazing among tall trees in an autumn setting.Exterior view of the Galien River Retreat showing extensive floor-to-ceiling glazing and a flat roof at dusk.Exterior front view of a modern residential building amid autumn trees showing a flat roof and extensive glazing.Modern retreat features floor-to-ceiling glazing with exposed wood beams and outdoor seating area.View of the entrance area featuring a wooden pergola structure, stone tile patio with gravel joints, and a tall glass door with an interior stair visible.Floating wooden stairs with open risers ascend between a white wall and a dark wood paneled wall, illuminated by a round wall sconce.Interior view looking down a wooden staircase with a black handrail on one side and wooden trim on the other, a wall sconce is visible mid-way and a window above the entrance door.Exterior rear view of a modern hillside retreat with extensive glazing and flat roofs among mature trees.Modern two-story building with extensive glazing, exposed wood beams, and flat roof set in natural surroundings.
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