Dress white: douglas house, harbor springs, mich., 1971-1973 richard meier, faia - end quote - Brief Article

Residential Architect, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Meghan Drueding

richard Meier's design for a house on Lake Michigan in the early 1970s helped bolster his growing reputation as a sculptor of refined, Modern spaces. Its glass-walled rear elevation draws in views of the lake, shoreline, and skyline beyond, and its horizontal mullions echo that imagery. The vertical mullions and stainless steel double chimney recall the pine trees that surround and almost engulf the house.

Meier carefully engineered the placement of every element to remove the distinction between inside and out. A skylight stripe along the rooftop deck pulls light down into the main living spaces. Both interior and exterior stairs are relegated to the corners of the structure so they don't obstruct views or light. Despite the contrast of materials and color, the home's skillful siting puts it elegantly at ease in its rugged environment.