Internationally recognized architect and professionally registered interior designer Wayne Visbeen, AIA, IIDA, harbors a passion for waterfront home design. In each issue of Michigan BLUE, he shares a new plan that makes the most of blue views and lakeshore lifestyles.

Michigan BLUE Lakestyle Cottage floor plans are a copyright of Visbeen Associates Inc. in Grand Rapids and are made available through Michigan BLUE, Michigan’s Lakestyle Magazine. For more information about Visbeen Associates Inc., visit www.visbeen.biz.

This distinctive contemporary lake-shore retreat seemingly cuts through its rocky, shoreline foundation like a ship in water – view straight ahead – lending nautical appeal to a design that makes the most of narrow lot. Only 22 feet wide, the three-story Rocky Summit is packed with inventive spaces. “The living spaces are on the upper levels to maximize the view,” said Wayne Visbeen, AIA, IIDA of Visbeen Associates, Inc. “On the top level there is a full luxury kitchen, dining room, guest room, living room and rounded outdoor deck that overlooks the water, offering a hull effect.”

A U-shaped staircase with a four-foot cantilever wraps down past two landings that include dramatic waterfront vistas and around the home’s elevator. The home’s mid-level living area – comprised of a master bedroom, guest room, den, home management center and laundry room – is a few steps up from the foyer.

“The 18’ foot, completely round lower level can be a studio, a home office, a rec room with kitchenette or a game room,” Visbeen said. “It opens to a spacious terrace.”

Greatly enhancing the home’s nautical character, a stone “chimney” rising like a ship’s stack actually houses mechanics and serves as a foundation or counterpoint for the structure; a chimney pot (seen on the right side in the rendering) channels the real heat. The dramatic design element includes a window looking out from the master bedroom’s walk-in closet, and another lake vista from the dining room.

“Often clients come to us with a more traditional cottage plan in mind, something nostalgic, because it’s what they see much of,” Visbeen noted. “But it’s great fun when a client can say, ‘What can you do for me?’ There are some very unique spaces in this plan.”

To view plans or purchase this floor plan visit www.visbeen.biz or call (616) 285-9901 and ask for Michigan BLUE cottages.

MICHIGAN BLUE LAKESTYLE COTTAGE FLOOR PLAN IS A COPYRIGHT OF VISBEEN ASSOCIATES INC. AND IS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH MICHIGAN BLUE, MICHIGAN’S LAKESTYLE MAGAZINE.