Cantilever House
Vermont
Architect | Birdseye |
|---|---|
Builder | Birdseye |
Woodwork | Birdseye |
Metalwork | Birdseye |
Sitework | Birdseye |
Landscape | Wagner Hodgson |
Photography | Jim Westphalen Photography |
Completed | 2012 |
Notable Detail
The home’s top floor cantilevers out toward the water, creating a shaded terrace below and a strong visual connection to the shoreline.
Craft Component
Clean lines, simple massing, and a tight material palette keep the focus on solid construction and the natural surroundings.
Cantilever House was designed to blend into the wooded hillside and stretch toward the lake without dominating the landscape.
The structure is organized around two main volumes: the lower level is set deep into the slope for privacy and energy efficiency, while the main living floor projects outward with a cantilevered design that captures open water views.
Simple shed roofs and a clean, rectangular layout made framing and waterproofing more efficient, while allowing the structure to sit lightly on the site. Full-height glazing on the lake side opens up the interiors, connecting the main living space directly to the outdoors. Meanwhile, the cantilevered upper volume provides built-in shading and privacy for the spaces below.
Inside, the focus stayed on durable, honest materials: concrete floors, natural wood, and exposed steel. The space was designed and built for longevity and low maintenance, while keeping a warm and simple feel throughout the house.
The final result is a well-built, practical retreat that respects the lakeside camp tradition—updated with modern performance and craft.
