Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Lakeside Retreat is not just a transformation of the original camp site into a legacy family property, but it’s also a tribute to the region’s organic, woodsy spirit.

 

For chief architect Marc Camens, the design process for this retreat was a meticulous journey — one that was deeply rooted in the local landscape, climate, and historical craftsmanship. It was also deeply personal for Marc. Read more here. 

 

And when it comes to this Lakeside Retreat’s nearly 12,000 square feet of interior space, every material choice and architectural detail was carefully selected to honor the Adirondack tradition while incorporating a sophisticated rustic charm.

Embracing the Adirondack Spirit — Comfortably

The Adirondacks have long been known for their localized style — organic, warm, and cozy, with an emphasis on natural materials. Historically, settlers in the area built their summer escapes from local materials, using stone, logs, and birch bark.

Given the region’s often harsh climate, with long, cold winters that can stretch from Halloween to Mother’s Day, the design of Adirondack homes — including this Lakeside Retreat — must be as resilient and comfortable as it is beautiful.

 

Here, Marc emphasized impeccably detailed interiors that make you feel hugged, safe, and secure, allowing the majestic elements of the Adirondacks to show off without feeling overwhelmed by them.

A Harmony of Materials

“To truly capture the essence of the Adirondacks, we selected materials that reflect the natural surroundings,” says Marc. The Lakeside Retreat is constructed with logs and hand-hewn beams, featuring intricate birchbark details that harken back to the region’s roots.

The entrance and portico, crafted from timber and stone, set the tone for an immersive, nature-inspired experience. Inside, you’ll find textural elements that echo the rugged beauty outside, ensuring a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

 

“We even paneled the walls with mahogany,” adds Marc. “It’s a nod to the classic wooden boats that grace the Adirondack lakes.” In addition, floors and ceilings are rich with wood textures that mirror the forest beyond — and stone plays a central role in the design, too, grounding the home in the landscape.

Timeless Design — From the Inside Out

Homes built in the Adirondacks must always blend in with the environment. This requirement originally led Marc to think about architecture in a new way, when he started his career in the Adirondacks.

Instead of focusing first on how the home should look from passersby – a typical concern for most architecture firms – Marc designs from the inside out. He turns his attention first to how it feels to move from room to room and look out onto the world from inside the house. 

 

 

The Lakeside Retreat fully embraces this principle. It’s a project that spanned four years, allowing Marc and his team to thoughtfully execute every element of the design. The result is a home that exudes beauty, simplicity, and strength, from the inside out.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship

At its core, the Adirondack Lakeside Retreat is not just a retreat; it is a handcrafted vision of what Adirondack living should be — rooted in history, shaped by nature, and built to last for generations.

By embracing the local materials of the Adirondacks and refining them through thoughtful design, the legacy property is both timeless and deeply connected to its environment.

 

Whether it’s a magnificent Adirondack camp, a beautiful Kiawah Island residence, or another custom dream home in a captivating locale, Marc applies the same architectural principles. His reverence to the surrounding environment; how he designs from the inside out; how he wraps a home around the owners’ lives… It all makes for transformative design.

 

Are you ready to apply Marc’s visionary principles to your own dream home? Contact us today. We can’t wait to meet you.