This Lake House was difficult to site: the view is at the opposite side of the sun path, the entrance is from ‘above,’ where the road is, and it has hulking structures on both sides. Alchemy decided to turn it upside-down, placing a glass living and kitchen box over a larger concrete base. This provided a raised, open yard above. The first level plan’s circulation happens all on the exterior, allowing light to filter in from outside and above. The interior program can expand or contract from the yard.