A lakeside cottage paying homage to Frank Lloyd Wright

Making the most of the lake and easing access to the outdoors were goals that were accomplished elegantly and practically in this home through the use of E-Series Gliding Patio Doors. The home shares a lot with a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed cottage, so the designers behind the project, Sara and Jeremy Imhoff of Imprint Architecture & Design, created a Y-shaped layout that emulates his work. The single-story plan created the opportunity to integrate three sets of E-Series Gliding Patio Doors. These 8-foot-tall doors let in big breezes and make it seamless to step outside to a patio lining the entire lakeside. With these large outdoor openings, the Imhoffs could afford to spec non-operable E-Series Picture Windows for improved energy efficiency elsewhere in the home. They then added triple-pane glass to further reduce energy loss, proving that a lakeside home could fully embrace the outdoors without sacrificing sustainable design principles. 
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Project team & Product details

An open-concept dining and living room with floor-to-ceiling Andersen® E-Series Gliding Patio Doors and E-Series Picture Windows.
An open-concept dining and living room with floor-to-ceiling Andersen® E-Series Gliding Patio Doors and E-Series Picture Windows.
E-Series Gliding Patio Doors don’t just provide floor-to-ceiling views, they also ease access to the outdoors while also allowing for the use of non-operable windows that improve energy efficiency.
“It's not a large space —  1,881-square-feet — but with the 9-foot ceilings and all the 8-foot windows and doors you feel like you're still outside.” 

— Sara Imhoff, AIA, Owner at Imprint Architecture & Design LLC

 

A living room with a floor-to-ceiling window where two white Golden Retrievers lay in front of a fireplace
The home’s name, kYodai, is Japanese for “brother,” signifying a relationship between the two cottages, as well as between their owners who are lifelong friends and even have dogs who are brothers. 
A dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass and a hallway beyond that ends in an Andersen® E-Series Picture Window.
The single-story, Y-shaped layout creates lots of opportunities for floor-to-ceiling glass, including several sets of E-Series Gliding Patio Doors and E-Series Picture Windows. 
“[Dark bronze] reads dark but complements the warm, neutral colors of the home.”  

— Sara Imhoff, AIA, Owner at Imprint Architecture & Design LLC

 

An exterior shot of a home with a single-story layout, roof with deep overhands, and glass in the form of Andersen® E-Series Gliding Patio Doors and E-Series Picture Windows.
Poured concrete floors inside spill over into the outdoors in the form of lake-facing patios. The repeated sets of E-Series Gliding Patio Doors make it seamless to transition between spaces. 
A kitchen where two floor-to-ceiling Andersen E-Series Picture Windows on either side of a bend provide views of a lake
The kitchen is at the heart of this home, where an interesting bend gives a more dynamic view through the E-Series Picture Windows. Dark bronze was chosen for the E-Series window and door frames. The finish complements the simplified materials palette of concrete, glass, metal, and various wood tones. 
A bedroom with polished concrete floors, a fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling glass.
The line between indoors and out is nearly invisible with this 8-foot-tall E-Series Picture Window that brings together a peaceful bedroom and garden outside.  
An exterior shot of a home influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright with a single-story layout, prominent roof, and lots of floor-to-ceiling glass.
The home's two living wings are anchored by fireplaces and glass that wraps around the corner. Corner configurations are available through the E-Series product line. 
An exterior shot of a home with views of the lake.
Upon approaching the home, visitors are treated to views that run all the way through it, revealing the lake on the other side.  
A bedroom with poured concrete floors, a stonework fireplace, and Andersen E-Series Picture Windows, including one that runs floor to ceiling.
Because the home features so many sets of doors, the design team was able to specify non-operable E-Series Picture Windows with triple-pane glass to improve energy efficiency. 

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