Completing the compound

When the owners discovered that their old horse stable barn slated for transformation into a family bonus space lacked foundations, they embraced a fresh approach to developing their ½ acre Michigan Retreat.

Positioned at the opposite corner of the existing “L” shaped ranch home, across layers of landscape, an elevated pool, and various outdoor entertaining areas, a new 24′ x 24′ accessory structure emerges as the linchpin of the property and a testament to the family’s values.

The single-gable studio purposely blends vernacular forms with contemporary details to seamlessly integrate with the landscape and existing features of the site. Echoing the rhythm and texture of the main house’s board-and-batten façade with a shingle roof, the studio presents a modern interpretation, featuring a standing-seam black metal roof and crisp corrugated box rib walls.

Inside, beneath a warm wood ceiling accentuating the gable form, a floating volume accommodates a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The voluminous ‘great room,’ designed for flexibility, opens to a central lawn through tall glass sliding doors that wrap the corner. Meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout, from reveal beads at windows and doors to the slated wood ceiling, a wooden accent wall in the bedroom, and a polished concrete floor.

With a commitment to sustainability, the studio minimizes its ecological footprint. It features an all-electric design, robust insulation, triple-pane windows, and an efficient layout that optimizes material usage. The inclusion of cross ventilation, LED lighting, a sealed wood stove for winter heating, a high efficiency VRF mini-split unit for heating and cooling, and an electric boiler for domestic hot water and radiant hydronic floor heating further underscores the dedication to environmental responsibility.

Modest, thoughtful, and infused with purpose, the “24 x 24” outbuilding brings joy to every corner of this Michigan Retreat.

Structural Engineer: Enspect Engineering
Landscape Architect: McKay Landscape Architects
Photography: Tara White