Sturgess Residence

Ames, Iowa

The owner wanted a private getaway from the busy city of Des Moines and yet not too far from Ames. Set on reclaimed wetlands and surrounded by a mesic prairie, this home neighbors a small lake and a crushed stone nature trail. During the preliminary design phase, the owners expressed interest in bringing a character and function of a lighthouse to their new home in the prairie. A lighthouse tower was developed along with an observation deck, providing the owners with a panoramic view. The house is nestled in the hillside allowing for a walk out basement and a great view from the rear deck. This home successfully combines the play between lighthouse and landscape, bringing a connection between the coast and the plains.