imprintarchitecture.com
Jeremy Imhoff, AIA; Sara Imhoff, AIA; Patrick Moe, AIA
kYodai
Project Type: New Build
Sponsors: Andersen Windows & Doors (Windows), Hagstrom Builder (Builder)
In the fall of 2022, the architects were approached by two long-time friends who presented the extraordinary opportunity to design a new home on the coattails of their existing Frank Lloyd Wright home. Their existing home graced the lakefront property next door and has its own unique history.
The plans, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his sister Maginal Barney, would eventually be gifted to the new clients who would in turn build that home and name it Bear Run. Followers of Frank Lloyd Wright will know of the reference. But, it wasn't that simple and the home wasn't only named for the location of the famous Fallingwater home, it was also named in honor of our client's pups including Bear II and Yoshi.
The significance and history of the long-time friendship, the influences in Wright's designs, now brothers Bear II and Yoshi, were not lost on the design team. In fact, they became the raison d'etre for the designs. As the architects leaned in, they knew that the houses were to be brothers, different but yet the same. From there, the moniker kYodai, Japanese for "Brothers," was born.
As students of architecture, the designers had studied and visited many Frank Lloyd Wright structures, but had never seen one with such a singular dramatic moment. It was, and is, a work of art. kYodai stands the shoulder to shoulder with Bear Run, imbued with modern, timeless sophistication while honoring the budget and incorporating key design elements for the client.
The home incorporates lake views and neighborhood connection into a design geared for well-being and energy efficiency. Low-maintenance, locally-sourced, thermally-modified pine exteriors are joined with concrete surfaces throughout the home sourced by a local fabricator. Fireplaces are designed to give an appearance of stone, but are made of maintenance-free concrete masonry units. The no-mow lawn limits maintenance and watering to assist with aging in place and protect the ecosystem.
The home uses many passive design strategies, including radiant head through a polished slab-on-grade floor, an electric heat pump for air conditioning, solar panels, electric car chargers, triple-pane windows and extra insulation in the building envelope.
Japanese influenced design resulted in multiple small gardens and an origami-like roof. The roof reaches out and frames the Frank Lloyd Wright home as if to shake its hand. The houses, two brothers, are similar yet different, much like the homeowner's lifelong friendship.
Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Integration
The design was required to respond to the neighboring Frank Lloyd Wright home next door. Taking cues from Mr. Wright's design and Japanese influences, the roof reaches out and frames the Frank Lloyd Wright home as if to shake its hand. The standing seam metal roof with a knife edge detail, and the Large 6'-7' overhangs, all with light Hemlock wood soffits, appears to float like oragami over the dark burnt pine sided home.
Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Energy and Resources
The home uses many passive design strategies including radiant heat throughout a polished concrete slab on grade floor, electric heat pump for A/C, solar power, an electric car charger, an extra-insulated building envelope, and triple-pane windows. The home's materials are low maintenance and long lasting. The siding is locally sourced, thermally modified pine. All hard surfaces in the bathrooms, kitchen are made of concrete by a local fabricator ten miles away. The fireplaces are made of affordable maintenance free Concrete Masonry Unit - blocks installed with a very specific design pattern, to give it the appearance of stone. The landscaping to include no-mow fescue grass and low maintenance/ watering.
Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Well-Being
Light, thermal comfort, Indoor air quality, lake views and a connection to the home next door provides daily comfort. A dog wash room is an added bonus for pup Bear, the homeowner's best friend.
What is the AIA Framework for Design Excellence? Learn more »