Vetter Architects in collaboration with Amy Carman Design has created this stunning terraced house located in the village of Elm Grove a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This modern 2,800-square-foot dwelling is artfully tucked into a wooded hillside, and much of the home’s beauty rests in its direct connection to the outdoors.
Floor-to-ceiling glass panels slide open to connect the interior with the expansive deck outside, nearly doubling the living space during the warmer months of the year. A palette of exposed concrete, glass, black steel, and wood creates a simple but strong mix of materials that are repeated throughout the residence. That balance of texture and color is echoed in the selection of interior materials, from the flooring and millwork to the furnishings, artwork, and textiles.
This compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home.
Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape — while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and – in conjunction with the wood veneer panels – provide a subtle organic texture to the composition.
Interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation, while the more private spaces exist at the edges of the structure. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the structure, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house – providing views in every direction.
What We Love: The terraced house steps down the steep hillside, integrating beautifully with the natural setting that surrounds it. Expansive walls of glazing help to focus views on the surrounding environment, providing a sense of calm in a suburban neighborhood. We are loving the privacy that is afforded to this home thanks to thoughtful integration into the site and placement of the living spaces. Overall, a compact layout feels quite spacious thanks to the indoor/outdoor connection and large outdoor deck.
Tell Us: What are your overall thoughts on the design of this dwelling? Would you change any of the details if this were your home? Let us know in the Comments!
Note: Check out a couple of other spectacular home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Wisconsin: See inside this fascinating corrugated metal pole barn house in Wisconsin and This delightful rustic rural retreat offers a serene getaway in Wisconsin.
This home offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Above: The primary bedroom features this walk-out covered balcony.
PHOTOGRAPHER Ryan Hainey
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