Designed by Laughing Sun, this Alabama lake house presented many challenges: from the inherent shape, to the structural load, to the sweeping circular stairs, to the desire for lake views. Design could not be rushed and a full calendar year passed before the design was fully realized. Still, once construction began on the house, many elements were re-drawn & re-designed to maximize space considerations and incorporate built-ins and other unusual elements.
Green Building: As signature of our company since our founding, we strive to create habitable art that leaves a small footprint on the earth. Much of this new structure was crafted from salvaged or found house parts headed for the country landfill. The finish details includes reclaimed heart pine floors from 5 or 6 Atlanta houses being torn down, reclaimed mahogany entry way doors, 21 reclaimed old doors and antique hardware, several houses worth millwork literally headed for the dumpster, Cotton Mill beams that we rescued and re-milled, rescued medicine cabinets, stair parts including banisters, newel posts, and treads. We rescued lighting fixtures and hardware from demolished houses in the Atlanta area, antique plumbing fixtures like the clawfoot tub, antique sinks, and old stained glass. We found and installed old beveled leaded glass windows in the basement area. All of the coffered beams, judges panels, built-ins, and kitchen cabinetry were custom milled using reclaimed flooring joists and Cotton Mill flooring. Even the dining room table was milled from salvaged heart of pine flooring joists from an old Atlanta house being demolished. Adding to our energy conservation, we installed all Energy Star appliances, hyper insulated the walls, floors, and attic. We installed eight motorized windows in the cupola that operate on a remote control and work on the “chimney effect” which allows the heat to rise and move out the upper cupola windows. It’s passive cooling at its best. The yard has been landscaped using zeriscape or ecoscape techniques to battle drought and conserve water. The forest is maintained at the front of the house leading to the lake with the buffer of a self-sustaining wild flower meadow and drought resistant plants and trees planted at the perimeter of the octagon. When building, we preserved as many trees as possible to shade the house and maintain the wildlife found within.
Finish details were designed as the house was built. Examples of these include the judges paneled catwalk, kitchen cabinets and counters, heart of pine wrapped beams, and imported glass and stone tile. The master bathroom was featured in the November 2007 issue of Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine and the entire home was featured in the July 2008 Lake Wedowee Magazine.
The Octagon House Virtual Tour
(click on the photos to view the tour)
The exterior design was inspired by octagonal architecture, a quirky architectural fad that had a heyday from 1850-1870s and was popularized in Orson Fowler's how-to book, A Home for All. Octagonal houses were built in many Victorian styles-this one combines several including Greek Revival lentils over the windows, Roman Doric columns, Italianate corbels, and the echo of an antebellum staircase.
Octagonal houses boast circular views, cupolas that act as natural air conditioners with chimney affects, and low wind resistance in storms.
To mimic the traditional look of a frame house, this house was sided with low profile Hardiplank siding, a two tiered wrap around porch, a sun deck, lots of glass French doors, oversized historic fir windows, and a traditional silver metal-seamed roof.
The entryway doors, nearly 9 feet tall 1870s era mahogany doors rescued from Philadelphia.
The entryway doors were flanked with custom sidelights and stained glass
Also from Philadelphia, 16 massive corbels were restored, and installed under the deep eaves, at each of the house's "corners."
With an emphasis on outdoor living, the veranda and decks were a crucial part of this home's personality.
Approximately 1400 sq. ft. of outdoor porches graces the perimeter of the home. Because of the steep drop on the lake-side portion of the house, historically drawn railings were built and installed. Exposed newels were topped with hipped copper caps.
The house boasts a total of 40 Doric columns both inside and out.
As you enter through the double mahogany doors, which are nearly 9 ft. in height, the home unfolds before your eyes.
A rare octagonal turn of the century pan fixture casts light.
Heart pine floors are inlaid with walnut boards, at each break of the octagon's corners, to further reinforce the shape of the house from the interior.
Two storage closets flank the sides of the foyer and their antique pine doors are bejeweled with late 1800's bronze & brass Victorian Eastlake door plates and knobs.
One of the most challenging design elements of the house was the central staircase. As the nucleus of the home, it needed to be grand, vintage, and have a lot of character.
Inspired by the winding stairwells of Southern antebellum homes, the octagon stair design features two walnut newels from an old Thomasville, GA house.
It also features century old banisters from two different demolished Birmingham homes, six oak newels from NYC, and over 100 old oak spindles.
The major challenge was assembling these salvaged pieces into a cohesive stairway. We had an extremely talented carpenter, who stepped up to the challenge
He milled custom stair treads, risers, stringers from salvaged cotton mill beams, and mitered the banisters into a united piece of art.
Like the stair treads, the catwalk's exposed judges paneling and the paneling under the stairs are milled from old cotton mill beams. They have a simple shellac finish and glow with the warmth of time.
Opening onto the sprawling first floor, the kitchen allows the chef to gaze out the window to the unfolding lake or to socialize with the guests relaxing in the dining and living rooms. Crafted by the same talented carpenter as the stairway, the kitchen cabinets were designed as simple farmhouse cabinets. The lower cabinets are antique white beaded board with flush inset doors, oiled bronze antique clasps and Victorian bin pulls.
