Lakehouse Renovation with a Modern Adirondack Twist

A home and former ice house in the Adirondacks provided a lakehouse renovation challenge that sparked creative problem-solving to manage access, weather considerations, and height and footprint restrictions. The result is a right-sized home filled with abundant natural light, built to the family’s specifications.

Originally envisioned as a traditional, timber-heavy, single-story Adirondack-style home, the design pivoted when material costs and the reality of below-grade bedrooms inspired the homeowners to think more broadly. The homeowners adopted a cleaner framework graced with custom cabinetry, a metal feature wall, and elegant millwork details, leaving the emphasis on the views from this lakehouse renovation. Shallow roof pitches and expansive glazing blend seamlessly into this space, the result of modern and timeless material collaborations.

From Ice House to Modern Guest House and Entertainment Space

The hidden treasure of this lakehouse renovation is the adjacent ice house. Historically used to store ice harvested from nearby lakes before shipping to larger metropolitan areas, a typical ice house would have been double-walled with sawdust insulation and likely painted white to reflect the sunlight. Demolition revealed the sawdust, and once removed, highlighted the need for a proper foundation to support the modern guest house. Features, such as salvaged roof metal, preserved ceiling beams, and a full-height band of the original interior wall, give this space a truly unique appearance. Lucky guests sleep in the loft, enjoy all the modern conveniences (including modern insulation!), and take advantage of a fully appointed entertainment space.