Iowa Lake House by Min|Day Architects

This house on Iowa's Lake Okoboji, designed by San Francisco and Nebraska-based Min|Day Architects, won two AIA Nebraska Awards: one for its overall design, and one for this amazing cabinet that doubles as a headboard. Designed to mirror ripples on the lake's surface, the cabinet is made from stacked plywood that was cut using animation software...

The exterior of the house is equally impressive. Wedged between a cluster of oak trees, the home has views of the lake and woods. Slats on the exterior window frames shade the interior without covering up the glass. Constructed from Corten steel and wood cladding, the home's modern design sits quietly on the site, preserves the trees around it, and makes the most of the amazing lake views.

To read the AIA's comments about the home, click here, and check out Min|Day Architects for more information about the project. If you're going to be in Iowa this summer, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is hosting a tour of the home at the end of July.

Photos: Min|Day. Found via Eye Candy.

Comments (10)

I can't believe AT just featured something from Okoboji. I thought we were too small for you to care :)

posted by MandarinOrange on February 2nd 2009 at 2:39pm
view MandarinOrange's profile

That is unbelievably fantastic.

posted by tenderleaf on February 2nd 2009 at 2:49pm
view tenderleaf's profile

That headboard is amazing!

posted by hsweeney on February 2nd 2009 at 2:50pm
view hsweeney's profile

Stunning. Would like to see more interior shots. What type of wood is the cladding?

posted by LoriSF on February 2nd 2009 at 2:55pm
view LoriSF's profile

Amazing. I would like to wake up here!

posted by shannonN on February 2nd 2009 at 3:14pm
view shannonN's profile

Amazing.

It is nice to see AT promote something from Iowa!

posted by Amanda H. on February 2nd 2009 at 3:33pm
view Amanda H.'s profile

**siiiiggghhhhhh***
i can dream...

posted by formosagirl on February 2nd 2009 at 4:29pm
view formosagirl's profile

What is "animation software" with regards to sculptural cutting of plywood?

posted by SherryBinNH on February 2nd 2009 at 6:31pm
view SherryBinNH's profile

Very beautiful. The indoor-outdoor bedroom is killer. I do wonder about the practicality of a flat roof in snow country, though. A slight angle might have been smart.

posted by farmhousemoderne on February 2nd 2009 at 7:14pm
view farmhousemoderne's profile

Thank you for all of the very kind comments, it's great to see our project on AT! Here are a few answers to some of the questions:
1. the wood cladding is sustainably-harvested Ipe
2. we developed the wave form of the headboard cabinet using the animation software Maya and then optimized it for fabrication using Rhino. We milled the plywood surface using a 3-axis cnc-router.
3. the "flat" roof actually slopes 1/4" per foot and is built like a typical commercial low-slope roof. It drains well in high rains and heavy snows.

posted by omasf on February 3rd 2009 at 10:17am
view omasf's profile