Summer Home

At the heart of this custom home lives the homeowners’ desire for a family-focused retreat. Each element, from handcrafted millwork to the custom cupola, reflect the family’s personality, lifestyle, and passion for all things nautical. A captain’s-wheel-inspired ceiling detail, compass rose inlay in the foyer floor, and a custom bar top made from teak and holly sole, the two species of wood often used in boat cabins, give nod to the couple’s decades of yachting experience. Every detail designed into the home, from light-drenched gathering spaces to intimate retreats, provides welcoming comfort.

The site for this sanctuary is special. A ravine descending to the beach punctuates the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, creating a promontory with unobstructed panoramic views that heavily influenced the design. AMDG conducted a detailed site plan analysis that informed the shape of the home and its orientation on the property. As a result, the plan folds around living spaces that anchor each level and allow nearly 160-degree breathtaking lake views.

The site’s steep bluff presented both an opportunity and a challenge. AMDG collaborated with geotechnical engineers to assess slope stability and inform the structural design necessary to achieve the design intent for views and proximity to the bluff. Close collaboration with Obbink Builders (formerly Rod Obbink Builders) and the client’s interior designer brought the overall design to life, merging technical precision with artistry.

The idea was to create a home the owners would be proud to hand down to their children someday. For the homeowners, the process with AMDG felt remarkably seamless—from first conversation to final walkthrough. As for the home itself, they simply say, ‘There’s nothing about the house we don’t love.’ Focus on collaboration and communication informed every step of the process to create an enduring and cherished family destination.