Design concepts were driven by two major factors. First, the functional needs of a professional couple with two small children were considered, including a sense of openness and connection between public area of the house. The plan groups the living room, dining room and kitchen together in one contiguous space on the first floor. An open stairway connects the main floor to the additional living spaces on the lower level and a second floor bridge with a small study and computer area. In this way, all of the public area are woven together while each maintains a unique identity.

The second major force influencing the design was the beauty of the site. The sturdy structure was tucked into the steep hill, sheltered from the north winds near a stand of native bur oaks. Retaining walls of board-formed cast-in-place concrete extend from the outside to the inside to reinforce the site connection. Drawing on the rural setting, stone and wood were used extensively on both the interior and exterior, expressing the honesty and simplicity of the structure as well as the warmth of natural materials.

Madison Magazine Interior Design

1997

AIA Wisconsin Design Award

1999