The dock view allows for million dollar sunsets with lots of space for family gathering and entertaining.
Photo: Phoenix Photographic

Grading and Drainage
The topography of the site presented challenges and opportunities. The property had 46 ft. of grade change from the road to the lake. When selecting the proper elevation to place the house, several factors were taken into consideration:

• In Northern Michigan, especially along the lake, winter snowfall is heavy. Residents prefer that driveways have no more than a 10 percent slope for traction and snow removal. This driveway was designed to enter the property, not directly, but in a manner that utilized optimum grading to minimize slope. The entry court provides ample navigation and parking.
  
• In collaboration with the architect, the sidewall of the garage was built into the bank. Retaining stone was used to blend the house with the landscape.
  
• Per the building code, the grade needed to be 8 in. down from any wood surfaces and slope away from the house 6 inches in the first 10 ft. to ensure proper drainage. The team designed an integrated system of gutters and downspouts as well as cobblestone drip edge French drains to capture and move roof debris away from the home.
  
• Outdoor living spaces were designed to create a close relationship with the lake. The lower level of the home is centered around family gathering and entertaining. The outdoor dining terrace included a covered living room with fireplace and custom stone spa. The topography of the site allowed for a subbasement under the patio with room for storage, an after-beach bathroom and mechanical area for the spa.
  

The lower level of the home is designed for family gathering and entertaining. A natural outdoor dining terrace and a covered living room with a fireplace surround the dramatic custom stone spa. A small waterfall was designed into the side of the spa for visual and sound effects.
Photo: David Leale

Due to the proximity to the lake, working with the local drain commissioner on soil erosion control and storm water runoff was a high priority. An integrated system of catch and detention basins, drain tile, and site grading provided managed collection and storm water diversion. Decorative grates (Iron Age Designs) for the trench drain system were installed in front of the garage to collect roof and surface water from the driveway.

Hardscapes
Blending the home with the landscape was a high priority of the owner. Desert ledge stone and slab steps (Shannon Stone) in a tan and gray Canadian limestone were used throughout the landscaping.

The 46-ft. grade change from the road to the lake was a challenge. The driveway could be no more than a 10 percent slope for traction and snow removal. The building code required a grade 8 inches down from any wood surfaces, and sloping away from the house 6 inches in the first 10 ft. for proper drainage. A cart path was added for beach access from the driveway.
Photo: Phoenix Photographic

Halquist Stone in forest blend with matching stucco was used throughout the house. Block paver (Unilock Brussels) in a sandstone color was chosen for the walks, drive court and border. The concrete driveway and cart path were custom colored to match the pavers. As an accent, the front walk, patios and porches were all done in an Ashlar pattern with full range NY Bluestone.

Serbian spruces are in the foreground of the driveway entry circle. ?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: David Leale

Plant Palette
Plant materials ranging from trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers were chosen to optimize the beauty of the surroundings while still remaining relatively maintenance free. All trees and shrubs were hand tagged and cataloged for client approval prior to installation.

The homeowner wanted to create outdoor living spaces that had a close relationship to the lake. The heart of the home is the spectacular views of the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan.

Custom Spa
The homeowner requested a spa designed for the main outdoor living area. The wish was to have a spa that resembled a natural hot spring with a 6ft. high waterfall flowing over the edge of a stone outcropping. Making this dream a reality required a bit of ingenuity.

Agastache gives a punch of color under a serviceberry tree. Blackhaw viburnum was used to conceal the gas spa heater while grow low Sumac helps retain the bank. A Tanyosho pine lends privacy to the spa from the stone steps winding down to the lakeshore. Cornelian cherry dogwood in a bed of Pachysandra with a maple tree and ferns are in the background.
Photo: Phoenix Photographic

Heating such a large body of water would be costly, especially when the waterfall was running. Drost Landscape decided to engineer the two elements to appear as one, but each (spa and waterfall) could operate separately or simultaneously creating a unified effect. Another small cascade was added to the side for aesthetic appeal and audio effect.

A stone pillar extends from the house into the spa, tying the structure to the landscape. Each Desert Ledge stone was custom cut to veneer to the concrete shell. The spa was an intricate element that the creative team worked together from idea to installation to achieve.

In collaboration with the architect, the sidewall of the garage was built into the bank. From there, the landscape retaining stone was used to unify the house with the landscape.
Photo: Phoenix Photographic