When brilliant architecture meets a breathtaking natural landscape, the result is often a dream home that not only offers you a window into an exotic and relaxing world, but also creates a dwelling that seems like an extension of the scenery that surrounds it. Nestled on the eastern shore of Door County in Wisconsin, the Pleated House is one such masterpiece that blurs the line between the interior and outdoors without relying on a series of large glass doors and windows. Designed by Johnsen Schmaling Architects, the dark exterior of the house has a distinct contemporary vibe and yet allows it to disappear into the densely forested backdrop as the day wears on.
The distinct exterior of the home is achieved using charred cedar siding and dark-anodized aluminum, allowing the Pleated House to interact with the changing light and shadows that are caused by the forest that engulfs it. Add to it a gorgeous green roof, and the connection between the forest and the house is complete! With a low-slung design and smart, sliding glass doors, one finds the transition from the exterior to the living space almost seamless, and a large concrete patio makes this an even more effortless affair. A carefully curated and stacked wall of milled lumber finished with glossy varnish shapes the entrance, giving the residence a fabulous, fun architectural feature.
The lower level of the house holds an open plan living space with an elegant, sculptural staircase leading to the master bedroom on the top level. Contrary to the image outside, these spacious rooms are clad in light, neutral hues with white becoming the color of choice. An idyllic retreat for nature-lovers!
Echoing the visual depth and surface oscillations of bark covering the trunks of trees, the charred wood boards were installed over furring strips of varying depths to form a gently folding, undulating building skin, not unlike a pleated curtain – a meandering and highly faceted veil that wraps the house and replaces what could have been a conventional, sharply defined perimeter…
