Accolades From Home Builder Digest

By Susan Christian

We just received the nod from Home Builder Digest in their recent article that we were named one of the Best Contemporary Home Builders in the US. It’s always a wonderful surprise when we get these notifications since we feel all of our projects are worth mention! However, for this particular whole house renovation we have to agree that it is indeed one of our truly unique home projects.

Sitting on 50 acres just minutes from downtown Ann Arbor, we have lovingly named this project the “Metamorphosis of a Man Cave”. Although set on pristine acreage, the previous 1981 “barn-esque” home had few redeeming qualities. With a two-story basketball court as the “core” of this home, the additional square footage built around the court was just space to put more toys. The house was a drafty box with lots of brown siding and shingles, little insulation, and sub-standard construction – perfect for a man cave but far from perfect for a growing family.

Upon purchasing this home, the owners came to Meadowlark longing for a sleeker, more modern home style that would accommodate their needs for years to come. Their vision was to create a bit of “up North” right here in Ann Arbor, and to take full advantage of the property’s southern vistas and two adjacent ponds. In addition, with backgrounds in computer technology and solar contracting, the owners also wanted a comfortable and resource-efficient home that was also healthy and durable.

Our clients had a mix of design aesthetics – one having a love of all things contemporary and the other wanting something bordering on “hunting lodg-esque.” To achieve these goals, Meadowlark designers were able to beautifully meld the two together to create a new contemporary home using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for both wall and roof structures, while re-using the existing foundation and floor framing. The new house soars up at the edges, capturing the beautiful views that encompass the home and allowing daylight to spill deeply into the living spaces. This home is built with technology in mind for now and for the future. The owners have invested in a high-quality structure with long-lasting finishes along with quality mechanical systems. In the future, the addition of a ground-mounted solar array will help the home get closer to being net-zero energy usage.

To see more photos of this home and our other projects please visit our client stories and our gallery pages.