Project Status: Under Construction
The Burlington Lake House is currently under construction, with completion expected in spring 2027. We’ll update this page with finished photography and more details on the completed home as the project wraps up. Check back to see how the new design comes together on Browns Lake.
A Home With Deep Family Roots
The Burlington Lake House began as a careful interior renovation of a home with significant family history. The homeowner had grown up in the house, which her father—a well-known local builder—had constructed for his own family on Browns Lake.
Because of that history, the early plan was intentionally modest. The homeowners wanted to update the interiors, improve the first floor and walkout basement, and introduce larger windows that would make the lake a stronger part of everyday life.
As the design developed, the homeowners recognized that an interior renovation alone would not give the house the presence or openness they wanted. From the lake, it would still read as a small cottage. The plans evolved to include a steeper roof, vaulted ceilings, triangular gable windows and an expansive wall of glass facing the water.
From Renovation to a New Foundation
Builder input prompted a series of practical decisions that continued to reshape the project. First, the team determined that rebuilding the walls and roof from the existing floor deck would be faster and less labor-intensive than trying to preserve walls that were already being substantially altered.
The existing basement presented the next opportunity. Its ceiling was approximately seven feet six inches high, limiting how comfortably the lower level could be used. Raising the house could create a nine-foot basement, but when the homeowners explored increasing it to 10 feet, the limits of the existing foundation became clear.
With only portions of the old foundation remaining, the team stepped back and reconsidered the entire approach. Replacing the foundation would eliminate the need for costly structural retrofits and provide greater freedom to improve the footprint. The design was extended approximately five feet toward the lake and three feet toward the front. Those relatively small additions created meaningful space for a more generous kitchen and living area, a larger primary bathroom and closet, and a more comfortable front bedroom.
Why Continued Architectural Involvement Matters
The project also demonstrates the value of keeping the architect involved during construction.
During the electrical walkthrough, the fixtures brought to the site were larger and produced more glare than the four-inch recessed lights shown in the plans. That difference was especially important beneath the home’s steep vaulted ceilings, where standard fixed or lightly adjustable fixtures would not direct light where it was needed.
Working with the homeowners and contractor, Live by Design Architects identified fully recessed, rotational fixtures from Visual Comfort. The improved fixtures could be aimed correctly while minimizing glare—resolving the issue before installation made it far more difficult and expensive to change.
Preserving Meaning While Building Forward
What began as a restrained renovation became a comprehensive rebuilding of the family home. Each shift in direction was driven by the same goal: making the house work better without losing the connection that made the property worth preserving.
The Burlington Lake House is a story of flexibility, collaboration and knowing when a more substantial change will produce a better long-term result. As construction moves forward, the project is carrying its family history into a brighter, more open home designed for the next generation.
The Finished Product
Check Out Our Other Projects
Contact Us To Discuss Your Next Project
