Old Woods Manor
LOCATION
Ada, Michigan
BUILDER
Doug Sumner
PHOTOS
Chuck Heiney, David Bixel
Details
This project put Visbeen Architects on the map for residential architecture. When the firm was chosen to lead the three-year design-build process in the late 1990s, they had little experience with homes of this scale. The clients interviewed many other architects but were ultimately swayed by founder Wayne Visbeen’s retail expertise and live-design approach. It was a pivotal project for the company, requiring innovation to effectively use such expansive square footage with a budget to match. It also exposed the design team to a new understanding of materials and how to tie varied design themes into a coherent architectural story. Old Woods Manor marked a turning point—Visbeen Architects was shifting from retail to residential.
Wayne Visbeen met weekly with the clients to sketch every detail. He worked hand-in-hand with artisans from Douglas Sumner Builders, Inc. and traveled with the clients to New York City in search of antique fireplaces. The clients’ international collection of antiques and original artwork features in every room of the home, creating a unique design challenge.
The firm imagined a unifying central corridor running through the structure to establish cohesion. “What made this project successful was our ability to blend the architectural vernaculars,” said Wayne Visbeen. “The wood floors, ceiling treatments, and so many other details provide a united theme throughout.”
From this neutral ground, one can move from room to room, seamlessly experiencing the various themes. This “structural spine” has been repeated in many Visbeen Architects projects, providing a straight line for HVAC, centrally-located supporting walls, and shortened floor joists. The methods used at Old Woods Manor prioritize functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. Simplicity and organization are the signature of Visbeen Architects work.
“When I started designing this home, with its eclectic nature, I was thinking, ‘It’s going to be difficult for this to be good.’ Now that it’s finished, I don’t think it’s good—I think it’s great.”
- Wayne Visbeen, Founder & Principal
