EDITOR’S NOTE

MODERN ARCHITECTURE— NoMi STYLE

Ican honestly say that i have waited decades for an issue like this one to come together. In these pages we offer three contemporary takes on modern architecture. Together, I see these homes symbolizing a growing trend in our region toward modern design, a style that has century-old roots, but never seems to grow old. The reasons for this timelessness are modern architecture’s fundamental tenets, among them: form-follows-function minimalism (particularly suited to this Marie Kondo clear-the-clutter era), and an emphasis on light and the natural world. This second tenet is particularly relevant in Northern Michigan with its priceless water, dune, forest and field landscapes.

The primary way to bring the outdoors and its view inside, of course, is with big glass. Traverse City-based architect Michael Fitzhugh explains the evolution of windows in modern design over the past 75 years or so: “After World War II there were many early modern houses and structures, even in Northern Michigan, with large spans of floor-to-ceiling glass and bright open spaces,” he says. “But the energy crisis of the 1970s brought an end to the popularity of this type of design since the insulation and heating systems were not able to provide comfortable cost-effective buildings. The re-emergence of the modern style is now aided by highly insulated windows, efficient heating and cooling systems and a market that provides these products at a [relatively] affordable cost.”

So now we can have modern design in Northern Michigan (and elsewhere) and have it all—efficient floorplans that lower our stress, expansive views AND homes with sustainable sensibilities. Open this issue and you’ll walk into a Fitzhugh-designed home where a floor-to-ceiling glass wall draws occupants to a magnetic view of West Grand Traverse Bay. You’ll also read about how architect Randi Thiebaut of Commonality Architecture designed an incredibly energy efficient home that practically swims in views of the three bodies of water around it.

And not to miss is the story of how contractor Jay Merchant worked with his client to design a home on a former cherry orchard that reflects the character of the agricultural buildings around it and offers huge views of East Grand Traverse Bay. The forward-thinking owners went on to turn their property into a native-species conservation project.

Welcome to this issue—and perhaps a new era in Northern Michigan residential architecture.

Elizabeth Edwards is senior editor of Northern Home & Cottage. Lissa@traversemagazine.com

Custom Homes

See our build of the featured home on page 36