Baw Beese House By Disbrow Iannuzzi – A Sustainable Multi-Generational Lake Retreat in Hillsdale

Baw Beese House, designed by Disbrow Iannuzzi, is a contemporary 4300 ft² multi-generational lake house located in Hillsdale, Michigan. Completed in 2024, this lakeside retreat blends modern residential architecture, sustainability, and family-centric living, creating a flexible vacation home where multiple generations can live together or independently.

A Multi-Generational Lakeside Retreat

Set along the serene shores of Baw Beese Lake, the home responds to evolving social, familial, and health conditions. It features three separate living areas, each capable of functioning autonomously or as one cohesive residence. This unique arrangement makes it ideal for families seeking privacy while staying connected within one property.

Architectural Concept: Four Volumes, One Home

The structure is divided into four smaller volumes—each acting as an individual cabin. Aside from the garage, every volume includes its own fully functional living setup.

Matriarch Cabin: A self-contained unit with a sitting area, kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom, and serene lake views—allowing complete independence.
Young Family Cabin: Designed for a family of four, featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, HVAC, and ample storage.
Primary Living Volume: The largest section contains the main kitchen, living room, guest suite, and a lofted workspace—serving as the home’s central gathering zone.

Light-Filled Connections

The volumes are linked by glass corridors, creating airy transition spaces filled with natural light. The home maintains a single-level floor plan, supporting aging-in-place and ensuring accessibility for all generations.

Minimal Impact, Maximum Performance

Sustainability is central to the project. The home is designed to minimize land disturbance and reduce its carbon footprint.

Key eco-friendly features include:

Hydronic radiant heating embedded in polished concrete floors
Non-toxic wool insulation for exceptional moisture and temperature control
Shou sugi ban wood siding from responsibly sourced timber
High-performance windows for improved indoor air quality
Standing seam steel roof, durable and low-maintenance

These strategies ensure the home is efficient, comfortable, and enduring—no matter how many family members visit.

A Healthy, Flexible, Future-Ready Home

Baw Beese House ultimately stands as a healthy living environment with outstanding air quality and thermal performance. Its thoughtful layout and craft-forward detailing provide a retreat that adapts to family needs while celebrating the surrounding natural landscape. By combining sustainability, comfort, and architectural refinement, Disbrow Iannuzzi creates a model for modern multi-generational living.