A Look Inside the Private Retreat of Architect Wade Weissmann
Long after hours spent in client and design meetings, traveling between offices in California, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, and juggling multiple projects, Architect Wade Weissmann likes nothing more than to set his work down and retreat for a while. At an old fishing camp, set about four hours from Milwaukee on Star Lake in Vilas County, he quiets his mind and his soul at what he has appropriately named The Architect’s Retreat.
The original footprint was far removed from what Wade calls a modern quintessential cabin. The original nine structures on the property, of which Wade bought two, date back almost 90 years. “The original cabins were built during the depression when the government had the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The cabins were dormitories for the CCC at East Star Lake,” Wade says. “After the camps dissolved, the owner of the property had them put on sleds in the winter to cross the frozen lake and placed them in position on their property. The government was replanting the forests cut down by the lumber barons, so their main objective was replanting forests. When the job was done, the camps weren’t needed anymore.”
In 2005, Wade’s two cabins, named Oak and Fern, underwent major transformations. “The main cabin, Oak, is a new construction,” says Wade. “Fern is remodeled, and typically serves as the guest cabin. New foundations were built for both, with cabins lifted off by jacks.” Since there were no restrictions on Oak (because it was not in the setback, defined as the distance measured in feet that a house or structure must be from the property line), Wade was able to tear it down and rebuild.
The vision? “Very camplike, with Adirondack and Native American touches,” the Architect says. Along with his cousin, Jon Schlagenhaft, their childhood memories of visiting their uncle’s cottage during the summer gave them inspiration for Oak and Fern. Jon’s own design firm played a pivotal role in conceptualizing the cabins. Wade studied the local architecture and pulled the plans together.
“I was looking for the appropriate views of the lake, considering the space between the cabins and the absolute best elevation for maximizing the views. The elevation for Oak is poised higher on the hill it is built into. Since I worked in mountain areas previously in my career, I tapped into that experience and essentially flipped the house upside-down so the ceiling is higher on the upper level, while the downstairs bedrooms and baths have a lower ceiling height.”
The wood was sourced locally, consisting of mostly pine with knotty pine siding, white pine floors, and red pine log work. “The logs are all hand healed, and all bark was removed by a strap knife,” he says. “We used what grows straight and tall in the forest. I was incredibly picky about the size.”
Oak and Fern are similar in feel, but Fern is scaled down a bit. Fern came first, taking about a year to build with being Oak eight months later. The help of a log cabin expert carpenter and craftsmen is credited with the high quality of the work. Wade jokes, “The bonus was that anytime there was a question about something, the Architect was on site to answer it.”
Oak came together with all the proper appointments—a screen porch, open floor plan, large hearth, bedroom with ensuites, and an Adirondack feel, blending rustic with luxury. Wade credits the overall look and feel to Jon and interior designer Candyce Tice, whom he has worked with for over 25 years at Wade Weissmann Architecture.
Some unique features include two 30” stoves sitting adjacent to each other in the kitchen. “It was cheaper than one 60” range and what I could afford at the time,” Wade openly admits. As a gathering house, he says it’s all about the food and entertainment, and the cabin certainly offers a beautiful space for both. He thought of virtually everything—masonry fireplaces that offer heat and beauty were a must for him. Even the main staircase is extra wide to accommodate guests with luggage. It’s got all the right stuff needed to relax, kick back and enjoy all things lakeside living brings along with it. “About 92% of the shoreline is state forest with hiking trails. It’s a fully recreational lake, so there is water skiing, boating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. You name it,” he adds.
Wade’s professional architectural work for his clients has an altogether different feel than his cabins by intention. He describes his clients’ floor plans as gracious, typically between 4,000-6,000 square feet. “I would rather build multiple smaller-scale homes clustered in a compound versus one large floorplan,” he states.
As with many successful artisans, Wade’s love of architecture began at an early age—when his grandfather would give him architecture books. According to Jen Vojvodich, a member of Wade’s team, “Wade has stated he’s always wanted to be an architect and has never wavered from that.” He graduated in 1991 from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in architecture, after completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Architecture and Urban Planning. “I worked as an intern in architecture for a number of years,” he says, but getting the opportunity right out of school to design and build his brother’s house in Northern Wisconsin solidified his desire to work in residential architecture.
Since many of his clients have multiple homes, Wade’s work became his calling card in other areas of the country, eventually requiring additional offices to be opened. Weissmann wants his architecture to feel timeless and meant for its space. “I would call my architecture dignified; perhaps appropriate vs. accurate,” he says. “We want it to look like it’s in its environment for a reason.” You can get a feel for his professional work on his website and view examples of the residences in his book entitled Heirloom Houses, featuring fifteen residences and three hospitality projects. He has released a new book this year entitled Homes of Quiet Elegance, which is available for purchase on Amazon.
Wade stresses that having up front communication between himself and his clients is vital to a home’s success. Weissmann is personally involved in each of his projects and says architects should be involved from start to finish to ensure that any needed changes are made and made right.
In working with Wade Weissmann on this story, Vojvodich says she learned quite a few new things about the Architect. She asked him what his personal favorite component of lake life is. His answer? Long pontoon boat rides, pulling up to a sandbar and watching the wildlife, like eagles and otters. Hiking is his next favorite, followed by the joys of putting aside the hurried weekday pace, even if just for a couple of days at the Architect’s Retreat.
Written By Chrysa Smith | Photography Courtesy of Wade Weissmann Architecture