Town and Country

Architect Mark Domiteaux helped them to love their lake house more with a loft-inspired renovation complete with industrial elements. The concrete fireplace inserted into a custom curtain wall is one of those features. Exposed raw materials, such as split-face concrete block and a galvanized metal flue, generate the desired urban vibe without defying the budget restrictions of a growing family. The rough block gets its edge smoothed a bit with the polished, cast-in-place concrete hearth, mantle, and cap. Asymmetrical geometry offsets the fireplace’s heavy material with a lighthearted sensibility. “We had to give the fireplace enough mass to make sense proportionately,” explains Domiteaux, “but standing up, you can still see over the top.” The homeowner personalized the piece by designing and welding the steel screen. A fused glass insert (also made by the owner) tops the metal grid. “She was inspired by the way the flames cast light into the room at night,” says Domiteaux, “so she did a Mondrianesque take-off to enhance the effect.”