Door County Get Away  |  Ephraim, Wisconsin

This project is set within a secluded, heavily wooded forest, just inland from Lake Michigan.  The goal was to have a modern cabin retreat that could host large parties and allow everyone to stay comfortably overnight.  The homes massing is defined by three primary materials - local stacked stone, a cool larger scale panel siding, and a warm colored shingle siding.  The roof is a low maintenance standing seam metal roof.  The windows, trim and fixtures are a flat black metal.  

The entry sequence consists of entering under a large canopy, and then passing into a large foyer with framed views.  The layout is designed for Aging in Place, with the primary bedroom on the first floor.  A large two story great room runs the length of the house, providing excellent views out to the surrounding forest, terminating with a spacious kitchen.  Set off of the great room are a more intimate library and a game room.  Accessed from the great room is a large, high ceilinged screen porch complete with an outdoor fireplace. 

The stairs that lead all the way up to the third floor and down to the basement level are a dramatic open tread thick riser staircase with flat black railings.  These terminate vertically at an operable skylight which draws ones eye up to the sky.  A niche formed by the first floor stairs provides a key area for artwork on axis with the front door. 

The second floor has a large bunk room that can sleep up to nine.  Each of the beds has a ‘business class’ quality set of niches, outlets and individual reading lights.  An office and additional bedroom suite are also on the second floor.  A deck looks out over the rear of the property into the woods.   The upper floor provides access to a front facing deck that provides a towering overview of the site.

The basement has a game room, guest room, mechanical room and storage.

From an energy and efficiency standpoint, the entire home has triple glazed Sierra Pacific windows.  The home is all electric, with heat pump zoned HVAC systems, water heater and dryer, and an induction cooktop.  The insulation system consists of deep cellulose filled perimeter walls with continuous foam exterior insulation wrapping the house.  A high efficiency energy recovery ventilation system provides fresh air in a controlled and efficient manner into the house.  EV car chargers are included in the garage.

The roof is designed for a very large solar PV array, and the basement mechanical room is set to house a very large battery back up system.

  • -An energy recovery ventilation (ERV) unit provides efficient and controlled outdoor air into the home to significantly enhance indoor air quality. MERV 13 air filters are incorporated into the HVAC system

    -There are no combustion appliances in the house. The mechanical system, heat pump water heater, heat pump dryer and the induction cooktop are all electric. This eliminates on site CO2 emissions

    -High-performance triple glazed, low ‘E’, argon filled Sierra Pacific windows are used to reduce heat loss and manage solar heat gain

    - The heating and cooling systems are connected to programmable smart thermostats, controlled remotely by mobile devices

    -The wood flooring is from sustainably managed forests and are low or no VOC’s and have no added urea-formaldehyde

    -The cooktop is an induction unit, which is an extremely efficient way to cook. Other appliances are Energy Star rated

    -A future battery backup will be charged by the solar array, providing power at night and during any power outage

    -Ceiling fans are used in the bedrooms as a more efficient way to keep cool during certain times of the year

    -A PAC-Clad standing seam metal roof is used which is made from recycled metal and is highly recyclable

    -The landscape is designed using native plants, and is illuminated with minimal LED lighting

    -A highly efficient ducted and zoned electric Mitsubishi heat pump HVAC system is used 

    -Extremely airtight building envelope that is many times tighter than typical construction

    -Siding on the front bay is made from cement fiberboard. The stone is locally quarried.

    -Operable windows at strategic location will provide natural fresh-air cross ventilation

    -A large future solar array will be mounted on the metal roof

    -The wood burning fireplace has outside combustion air.

    -All lights have LED bulbs and are fully dimmable

    -Paints, sealants and adhesives have no VOC’s

    -The kitchen has a built-in recycling center

    -EV charging is provided in the garage