Building Product Recommendations

More than twenty years ago, we built a home for the owners of a vineyard near Clear Lake. Since then, they have envisioned adding a barndominium to the property—one that could serve both as functional space for vineyard operations and as comfortable lodging for visiting family and friends. To bring this idea to life, they once again partnered with architect T.K. Ladd, who originally designed their Clear Lake residence. Her new plan provides an efficient, well‑organized layout featuring two bedrooms, one and one‑half baths, a compact full kitchen, and a welcoming family room. A conveniently located stackable washer and dryer will sit just off the kitchen. The three‑bay garage offers generous storage capacity for equipment and supplies, while a covered porch creates a shaded retreat for breaks during long days working in the vineyard. The living quarters will be heated with a high‑efficiency furnace and cooled by a 16 SEER [...]

The owners of one of the most remarkable properties on Snow Lake approached us to explore the possibility of removing their existing cottage and constructing a new home. They partnered with Mike Christofferson, a well‑known local architect, to design a residence that not only meets their needs but also complements the beauty of the site. The finished home will be a 2,773‑square‑foot, two‑story lake house built on a piling‑supported crawl‑space foundation. The conditioned and insulated crawl space will feature a non‑structural concrete floor, creating an ideal area for storage. An unfinished walk‑in attic on the second floor will provide additional storage capacity. The floor plan includes five bedrooms, along with a flexible room that can serve as an office or a sixth bedroom. The owner’s suite is located on the main level, along with an open kitchen, dining, and family room layout. A laundry room and powder room complete the [...]

Unfortunately, the owners of a getaway home on Adams Lake in northern Indiana recently discovered that a water leak had caused extensive interior damage. Although efforts were made to restore the home to an acceptable condition, it was ultimately determined that the most practical solution was to demolish the existing structure and construct a new residence. As is often the case, the owners were referred to us by friends for whom we completed a lake cottage last year. Working within the strict ordinances and restrictions of LaGrange County, Lynn developed a plan that satisfied those requirements while delivering the cottage the owners envisioned. When completed, the home will include 2,463 square feet across the upper two floors, in addition to 1,012 square feet of finished living space in the lower level. The main floor will feature a great room, nook, kitchen, laundry room, and the owner’s bedroom and bath. The [...]

Several years after completing a lake home for their primary residence at Clear Lake, the clients reached out to Lynn once more. This time, they were interested in exploring the possibility of designing and constructing an auxiliary residence across the street. The primary intentions for this new building were to provide comfortable accommodations for guests, create additional storage, and offer a dedicated area for indoor recreation. Faced with numerous restrictive town ordinances, Lynn skillfully designed a compact yet functional two-bedroom, two-bath home. The structure is planned atop a conventional concrete slab foundation for durability and ease of construction. The design includes one and one-half stories, featuring a spacious and inviting front porch that leads directly into an open-concept great room, dining area, and kitchen. Additionally, the oversized garage is planned with a 10-foot ceiling height to accommodate a golf simulator, enhancing the recreational possibilities of the space. The home will [...]

The property owners, located on the sloping banks of Snow Lake in northern Indiana, initiated contact to discuss the demolition of their current seasonal residence and the construction of a permanent, year-round home. The residence, designed by local architect Mike Christoffersen, was created to accommodate the unique challenges presented by the site. The final product is a traditional two-story home with a walk-out basement. The property's slope allowed for the creation of a 576 sq ft storage and storm cellar beneath the garage, easily accessed via double doors that face the lake. The residence will provide 2,083 sq. ft. of living space on the main and upper floors, in addition to 671 sq. ft. of finished area in the lower walk-out level. The structure will include four bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms, as well as a two-car garage. Two 85 sq. ft. balconies on the upper levels will offer [...]