Private Country Residence, Near Eau Claire, WI Featured in August 2000 edition of Style 1900 Project Description The primary feature of the front façade is the large gable of the breakfast room with a dual pitch roof that is visually supported by groupings of columns resting upon limestone bases. The bay glazed with art glass modulates the straight lines of the roof and soffit. (See detail photo). The exterior is finished in limestone, stucco, and cedar shingles. The roof line is designed with two pitches in order to accomplish two objectives: allow for the interior space of the second level rooms and provide long overhangs to intensify the exterior horizontal line and shadow the main level rooms. The walls have been allowed to move independently of the roof in some places to create a more fluid exterior line moving in and out of shadow. The architectural plan integrates elements of the landscape through the use of lines and materials. Note the limestone wall at the right that supports the swimming pool. The pool is elevated from the front yard removing this active area from view, yet allows the pool and deck to have great south light and unbroken views to the pond and woodland beyond. The guest parking and main entrance sidewalk are flanked by an arbor-covered reflecting pool with large copper water spouts projecting from a stucco and limestone garden wall (see top left of horizontal photo). The breakfast room is the heart of the main floor. The design allows south light to penetrate into the house on both levels. The horizontal banding provides counterpoint to the vertical space and integrates with each of the adjoining rooms. The fireplace is surrounded by custom made tiles and the leather covered period desk sits before art glass windows (see next photo). The breakfast room and kitchen are one room but each space is given definition by the use of architectural features including ceiling height, color, wall treatment and supporting paired columns. The bedroom is designed as a suite. The sitting area, partially shown at the left side of the photo, overlooks a private deck and the swimming pool (refer to exterior photos). The sleeping area frames the bed with art glass windows that bring morning light into the room. The dining room is open to the kitchen screened by the built in buffet made with period art glass doors and a wood display top. The Arts and Crafts wood colonnade visually supports the coffered ceiling defining the transition between the buffet and circulation space. The gallery forms the main circulation spine of the main floor. It is the transition space between all of the rooms and helps to provide a path for daylight into north facing spaces. Each end of the gallery provides space to display wall or structural art. This photo shows the art glass windows in the breakfast room and the paired columns that support the balcony of the upper level. The living room fireplace is faced with limestone slabs with both honed and broken surfaces. The paneled walls are made with quarter-sawn oak and are designed to visually tie into various continuous trim pieces that extend into the room’s built-in cabinetry as well as in to other rooms. The exterior blends elements of Prairie School and Arts and Crafts architecture by mixing both horizontal and vertical lines with the use of limestone, stucco and art glass casement windows.