This Contemporary Guest House is located on the precipitous wooded banks of Lake Morey, a classic summer resort area nestled in the folds of eastern Vermont. Zoning restrictions limited the footprint to 24' x 36' and allowed only two bedrooms. The entry side of the house, located just a few feet from the Lake access road houses utilitarian components of the program, such as mudroom, storage and mechanical spaces. Technically only one-and-a-half stories, the building literally steps down the site, keeping its low and more enclosed side to the road, and hiding the scale of the living spaces within. Ten and twelve foot ceilings at the lake side open up dramatically to the trees and views of the water. The mono-pitch roof form lifts towards the lake, where the height of the building is screened by mature trees. A minimalist deck of Cor-Ten steel is cantilevered off the lake side of the house.

Despite the two-bedroom limit, the guest house sleeps nine, utilizing loft alcoves, bunks and window-seats. A generous dining room takes advantage of ten-foot high windows onto the deck, while the living room is intended as a more enclosed evening space. A Rec Room on the lowest level, with associated laundry and bath, provides easy access to the outdoors for the younger generation.