Architectural Record
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Architectural Record
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Awards
    • Interviews
    • Obituaries
    • Podcasts
      • Design:Ed Podcast
      • Sponsored Podcasts
  • OPINION
    • Book Reviews / Excerpts
    • Exhibition Reviews
    • Forum
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Videos
    • Design Vanguard
    • Top 300 Firms
    • Sponsored Content
    • Sponsored eBooks
    • From the Archives
  • CONTINUING ED
    • Editorial Continuing Ed
    • CE Center
    • CE Academies
  • PROJECTS
    • Buildings By Type
    • Reuse & Renovation
    • Museums & Arts Centers
    • Colleges & Universities
    • Multifamily Housing
    • Interiors
    • Lighting
    • Kitchen & Bath
  • HOUSES
    • Record Houses
    • House of the Month
    • Featured Houses
  • PRODUCTS
    • Products by Category
    • Record Products of the Year
    • Latest Products
  • EVENTS
    • Dates & Events
    • Record on the Road
    • Innovation Conference
    • Sustainability in Practice
    • Women In Architecture
    • Webinars
    • Ad Excellence Awards
    • Submit an Event
  • CONNECT
    • Ask RECORD AI
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Store
    • Customer Service
  • SUBMIT
    • Submission Guidelines
    • RECORD Competitions
  • MAGAZINE
    • Subscribe
    • My Account
    • Digital Edition
    • Current Issue
    • Firm Pass
    • Historic Archive
Residential ArchitectureFeatured Houses

Glen Lake Tower

Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Photo © Steve Keating
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Balance Associates Architects
Traverse City, Michigan
Image courtesy Balance Associates
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
Glen Lake Tower
January 16, 2014

Architects & Firms

Balance Associates Architects

Traverse City, Michigan

Site Size: 2.5 acres

Project Size: 1,400 square feet

Program: The clients initially asked the architects to design a relatively small, one-story cabin, but later became curious about the view above the treetops. They rented a bucket lift, rode to the top, and made a video capturing the panoramic views from the forest canopy, which they sent to the architects.

Location: On a hilltop and surrounded by deciduous forest, the site has views of Glen Lake and Lake Michigan beyond.

Solution: The four-story hybrid steel and wood frame structure is clad with metal panels and plywood. From the open-air ground floor, outdoor steel stairs lead to the entry on the second floor. With the office/guestroom on the second floor and master bedroom on the third, the architects placed the main living area on the amply glazed top floor, which opens out to a cantilevered terrace.

Construction methods: The house has a hydronic radiant floor heating system in addition to a ground-source heat pump.

Architect:
Balance Associates Architects
80 Vine Street, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98121
T 206.322.7737
F 206.322.0465

People

Architect:
Balance Associates Architects
80 Vine Street, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98121
T 206.322.7737
F 206.322.0465

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:
Tom Lenchek, AIA - principal
Margo Peterson-Aspholm, AIA - project architect
Kyle Zerbey, AIA ' architect

Engineers:
Quantum Consulting Engineers

General contractor:
Golden Rule Construction

Photographer(s):
Steve Keating Photography
sbk@steve-keating.com
206.227.5878

 

Products

Structural system
Steel and wood frame

Exterior cladding
Wood:
Roseburg ' Breckenbridge siding and soffits

Doors
Wood doors:
Kolbe

Interior finishes
Cabinetwork and custom woodwork:
Eyewood Design Inc.

Special interior finishes unique to this project:
Karelia Flooring

Lighting
Interior ambient lighting:
Juno, Leviton, IKEA

Downlights:
Juno, Lithonia

Exterior:
Juno Recessed Can Light

Plumbing
Kohler, Toto, Lasco, Brasstech

Other unique products that contribute to sustainability:
The home is well-built, and exceeds Michigan Energy Code (one of the more rigorous in the U.S.). It has in-floor hydronic heat and a ground-source heat pump which provides both heating and cooling, and is very efficient. There are large overhangs at the upper floor, which has the most glazing. Of course the best view to the west requires interior roller shades in the afternoon light.

 
KEYWORDS: Michigan

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Architectural Record audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Architectural Record or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • 3D configurator
    Sponsored byDoorBird

    How DoorBird’s 3D Configurator Is Redefining Customization Across Residential and Commercial Design

  • interior of modern office
    Sponsored byCurrent

    The Downlight's Second Life: Why Below-Ceiling Serviceability Is the Specification Detail That Matters Most

  • cold storage facility
    Sponsored byCarlisle SynTec Systems

    How Architects Can Design More Continuous Cold Storage Envelopes

DESIGN:ED Podcast
Listen to Architectural Record’s DESIGN:ED Podcast

Events

July 14, 2026

Designing Toilet Partitions for User Comfort and Utility

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Evaluate emerging restroom design strategies, materials, and specification options that enhance functionality, inclusivity, user comfort, and sustainability.

July 16, 2026

Fit, Form, Function: Rethinking Privacy Curtains for Modern Spaces

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU

Explore how privacy curtain systems can enhance occupant comfort, operational efficiency, and sustainability across healthcare, education, hospitality, and senior living environments.

View All Submit An Event

Products

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

Popular Stories

Home Spirit apartment building exterior

Outdoor Access Drives the Design of a French Apartment Building

The Bend in Winnipeg, Canada

Multifamily Housing 2026

The Mark and Hive Glenrock, LOHA

Two Student Residences Continue LOHA’s Decades-long Reimagination of the L.A. Lifestyle

Trump's triumphal arch

What Exactly Does Trump’s Triumphal Arch Commemorate?

The Bend in Winnipeg, Canada

The Bend Wraps an Adapted Winnipeg Warehouse, Adding Apartments and Defining Public Space

Co-Intelligence: The Architect's AI Advantage - Free Webinar - July 8, 2026

Related Articles

  • Astra Tower, Salt Lake

    Salt Lake’s Astra Tower Reaches New Heights

    See More
  • Glen Road House-1.jpg

    Glen Road by Obra Architects

    See More
  • The Glen

    See More
×

The latest news and information

#1 Source for Architectural Design, News and Products

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Submit
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • Linkedin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing