Bird's Eye Lake Front — Kipnis Architecture + Planning

‘2025 Green Good Design International Design Award’

Bird’s Eye Lake View | Highland Park, IL

This modern residence showcases rustic natural materials with large intersecting volumes. Accessible from the upper floor, the rooftop deck provide amazing views of Lake Michigan. 

The exterior design elements are composed of limestone, locally sourced stone, large format porcelain tile, wood veneer, and large overhangs. The ‘U’ shaped layout centers around an infinity pool in the rear yard, providing direct access to the pool and patio from the kitchen, living room, dining room, screened porch, and primary bedroom. 

While the main living spaces flow seamlessly at the ground level, varied ceiling heights delineate the rooms, creating a cozier atmosphere at the kitchen and the family room, while a more dramatic high ceiling is in the dining room. A continuous perimeter recessed lighting detail highlights the family room ceiling and the fireplace. Sight lines to the ravine were also a major consideration in the design. Large glass doors overlook the rear yard from the dining room, living room, and primary bedroom.

Another statement piece of this house is the floating wood stair. Vertical wood slats encase the stairs up to the partial second floor as well as down to the basement. The design of the divider helps to maintain the open feel of the first floor.