Three Lakes, Wisconsin, USA

On the shoreline of the 592-acre Spirit Lake, Poon Design proposes a daring reinterpretation of the traditional courtyard house design. The courtyard concept is believed to have originated in Jordan Valley, circa 6400 BC, then spread throughout Europe, Middle East, and Asia, arriving to the United States in the 1800s. Historically, this courtyard design was primarily an introverted idea with the home’s functions around a central outdoor area.

Both introverted and ambitiously extroverted, our 4,820-square-foot residence surrounds a circular courtyard with the home’s primary circulation—a light filled hallway that also serves as social areas, homework zone and art gallery. In contrast to the traditional inward-looking rooms, our spaces project outward, including second floor bedrooms cantilevering towards the landscape and lake. This muscular structure finds companionship with the natural and elemental strength of the earth and surrounding trees.

Architects: Poon Design Inc.
Design Team: Anthony Poon and Adam Poon
Client: Private
Photographs: Courtesy of the Architects