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Houses By Design

High-Performance Wall of Windows

The functional areas of this lakeside home all have an unobstructed lake view while still maintaining excellent energy efficiency.

By Janice Rohlf Issue 315 - June 2023
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Presenting a traditional face to the neighborhood on the street side, this house embraces its relationship to the lake and landscape on the opposite side, where the residence is optimized to take advantage of its siting on Lake Champlain and the views beyond of the Adirondack Mountains.

The functional areas of the home—living, dining, and kitchen spaces; bedroom; and work room—all have an unobstructed lake view courtesy of the triple-glazed European curtain-wall glazing, which also ensures unmatched energy efficiency. In addition, the home includes a high-performance heat-pump heating and cooling system complemented by a rooftop solar system.

A simple interior palette of materials prevails, with white oak floors and hemlock ceilings and beams. Vaulted wood ceilings grace the great room space, where cabinets by Stark Mountain Woodworking conceal the TV and house a pullout bar top, while an illuminated cast glass countertop provides a playful element. In addition to the cabinetry, a zinc countertop and a French rotisserie further represent the kitchen’s high level of customization.

For open-air entertaining, an outdoor fireplace and pizza oven extend the season for the patio spaces. Automatic screens turn the patio into an instant screened porch, which provides a transition between the outdoors and the indoors.

Architect Brad Rabinowitz Architect, bradrabinowitzarchitect.com
Builder Red House, redhousebuilding.com
Location Burlington, Vt.
Photos Ryan Bent Photography

close up of home bar

living room with floor to ceiling windows

close up of couch and tv in living room

dining room and kitchen with wall of windows

bedroom with large window seat

covered patio with fireplace and dining table

From Fine Homebuilding #315


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