Designing Lake Houses: Which side is the front?

When designing a lake house, architects are tasked with a unique challenge: crafting a home with two equally important primary facades. While the street-facing side of the house must maintain curb appeal like any residence, the lakeside facade has a more playful and relaxed role, offering an invitation to enjoy the water for the house's occupants as well as providing an inviting face for the house to be seen from the water. To balance the design you must create something two unique facades that speak the same language.

Street-facing Facade

The street-facing facade of a lake house sets the tone for visitors and neighbors alike. This side should present a polished and welcoming appearance, much like any traditional home. A few strategies to ensure curb appeal include:

Proportion and Scale: The design should feel harmonious with the neighborhood. Well-placed windows, a welcoming entryway, and thoughtful landscaping are key.

Materiality: Natural materials like stone or wood can nod to a lake home’s lakeside setting and laid-back nature while maintaining an upscale appearance. Granite, local to Georgia, provides and excellent connection to the landscape.

Subtle Hints: Often the neighborhood road has a higher elevation than the lake house, meaning the house will be seen from above. Incorporating design details into the roof design can make a large impact and provide hints of the home’s connection to the lake beyond.

The street facade should entice viewers and leave them curious for more.

Lakeside Facade

On the lakeside facade the home gets to loosen its tie and lean into the relaxed spirit of lake living. Designing the lakeside requires balance: it must be playful without becoming overwhelming.

A Whimsical Touch: This is the side for expansive windows, quirky details, or bold decks and balconies. Features like outdoor staircases, terraces, and boathouses add both utility and charm. If you're going to have an outdoor kitchen, it should also play into the overall composition of the lakeside facade.

Human Scale: The perspective of a house from the water below can easily appear imposing. Breaking up the facade with vertical windows, terraces, or overhangs can help avoid a monolithic look. Using natural materials and earth-tone colors on the ground floor and foundation ensures the house blends into its surroundings.

A Connection to the Land: The lakeside facade should feel rooted in its environment. Designing the house to follow the slope of the hill—using stepped foundations or cascading decks—helps it appear as though it’s growing out of the hillside. Landscaping with local plants can enhance this effect, softening the line where the house meets the ground.

A successful lake house tells a cohesive story with its two faces. Inside, great rooms with expansive views, open floor plans, and strategic use of light draw visitors naturally toward the lake.

A well-designed lake house is more than just a home; it’s an experience that begins at the street and culminates at the water. With careful attention, Patch Design crafts homes that celebrate both their owners and the lifestyle of lake living.