Project Summary

            The task was to add three distinctive fireplaces to a century-old, northern Wisconsin lakes area building. Each facade was to be a singular, defining element within a coherent design theme. Decisions as to form were in response to pre-existing conditions and spatial requirements. Materials were selected to fit the scale and mood of each room. The attitude is modern, without being inconsistent. The highly creative solution provided an attractive bonus of a healthy improvement in the structural and architectural integrity of this venerable structure, while meeting the objective of three warm places to contemplate and converse.

Project Scope

            The addition of three fireplaces on three separate levels. Each was to be a main focal point and speak to the function and tone of their unique spaces. The main fireplace was to cordon off the privacy of the master suite from the adjacent public spaces. The third level fireplace needed to be scaled to fit in a small sleeping room. The lower level fireplace was to bring a sense of Lake Cabin to a very casual space.

Creative Solutions

            A main goal was to have all three fireplaces share a common chase. The interior of this enlarged chase was desired for third floor HVAC supply and an effective location for return air. On the exterior, this solution determined the stout central chimney structure to better express the architectural character of the facade and visually pin the building to its site. As is typical, this project’s scope was partially determined by the condition of the existing building. An early realization was that, over the last hundred years, the north and south exterior walls had bowed away from each other. After the situation was righted, the strong horizontal arms of the main fireplace wall were designed to prevent future recurrence and resolutely define the separation of the master suite’s privacy.

            With this form in place, the choice of a dark and earthy slate seemed the best contemporary material to express the ancient, great hall character of this grand space. To balance the natural complexity of these unique tiles, a shiny rhythmic overlay of copper rivets was decoratively applied. The soft tile yielded easily to a drill press and the copper ring shank nails did not significantly increase the tile installer’s task. The source for the rivets, commonly known as roves, was from a boat builders’ website. This seemed appropriate in a room where the wood-paneled ceiling vaults remind one of an inverted ark. One material choice leads to another and the selection of acid-aged copper for the raised hearth was a natural mediator between the rivets and the slate. We took our substrate form to a local metal shop for cladding before acid treating it ourselves and adhering it to the base. The desire for storage cabinets allowed reuse of fir wainscoting salvaged from earlier demo work. The completed facade seems fresh and new, but reminiscent of something old and familiar.

 

            A similar flavor was intended for the other two fireplaces. The third level fireplace was elevated for better viewing from bed. A salvaged arch top window was installed above and lit from behind for an alternative warm glow. The concrete raised hearth allowed space for wood storage below.

 

 

            For the lower level unit, a wish was expressed for the traditional fieldstone fireplace, so common among this area’s lake cabins. Use of a pebble tile was settled upon as more in scale with this space and provided texture and a playful reference to more conventional alternatives. The surrounding walls and poured-in-place concrete hearth were rounded in response to the casual pattern of movement through this relaxed room.

 

Results

            The attitude is modern without being inconsistent. The goal of three unique fireplace spaces was gracefully combined with a healthy improvement in the structural and architectural integrity of this venerable structure.