This gorgeous lakefront home was designed by Johnston Design Group and is situated within the privacy of an oak and hickory forest setting in The Reserve at Lake Keowee, Sunset, South Carolina. This lake house expresses its time and place with a forward-looking aesthetic that respects the traditional design of neighboring homes. Spread over two levels, this dwelling encompasses 4,391 square feet and features five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
It features intimate, clear water cove access to the southwest and long lake views to the southeast. The site-generated design balances the client’s desire for dramatic lake views with the need to preserve their privacy. It also harnesses the site’s consistent prevailing breezes and solar access, while preserving its topography and natural features. Continue below to see the rest of this amazing home tour…
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE Johnston Design Group INTERIOR DESIGN Evaline Turner and Owner CONTRACTOR Ridgeline Construction
Balancing the homeowners’ Los Angeles-inspired aesthetic with traditional neighborhood architectural standards led to a restrained, simple architectural solution that remains true to the aspirations of both the owner and the community. Traditional materials, such as native stone, vertical shiplap cedar siding, and cedar shake roof material, form a palette for a restrained, modern aesthetic.
The short bridge to the front entrance juxtaposes a dramatic breezeway bridge that connects the car park and guest cottage to the grilling station and lakeside porch. This modern breezeway design, with its structural expression and simple, cantilevered low-slope form, provides a counterpoint to the traditional form of the front entrance.
These floating design elements minimize impact on the site’s natural topography and preserve the mixed hardwood forest to the greatest extent possible. The natural design solution includes a dry stream bed to manage rainwater and native plants to restore the site disturbance zone. These design elements will sustain the site’s natural assets and provide resilience for the future.
The design solution emphasizes the use of natural systems to provide comfort and enhance occupants’ wellness. Fenestration on the windward and leeward faces of the home is specifically tuned to the prevailing breeze, down to the orientation of the casement window operation. Overhangs and porch features are also specifically tuned to the solar orientation, maximizing indirect daylight while minimizing solar gain during the warm season.
The building envelope design uses advanced framing techniques, open cell foam insulation, and other air sealing measures for a significant reduction of the home’s HVAC load. Intentionally selecting formaldehyde-free and low-VOC interior finishes helps preserve indoor air quality. Lake loop geothermal HVAC and phase one domestic water heating provide the technology to further reduce the carbon footprint, while maximizing occupant comfort.
MATERIALS
Shiplap cedar siding, native stone masonry, board-formed concrete, cedar shake roof, steel and wood timber frame.
What We Love About This Home
This home is the epitome of indoor–outdoor lake living, with expansive outdoor spaces that capture sweeping views of one of the country’s most beautiful mountain lakes. The design beautifully balances aesthetic elements, honors the site’s natural features, and minimizes its overall carbon footprint through a simple, honest solution. Thoughtful materials and well-considered spaces create a lake house that feels both refined and deeply connected to its natural surroundings.
Tell Us: What details do you find most inspiring in the design of this lakefront home in South Carolina? Let us know in the Comments below!
Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other spectacular home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of South Carolina: Sleek waterfront house with nature inspired details overlooks Lake Keowee and A rustic modern dream home with unforgettable views over Lake Keowee.
PHOTOGRAPHER Meechan Photography
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