JLF SIGNATURE ELEMENTS: EN PLEIN AIR—Patios + Porches
A quiet interlude carved out of a lakeside estate.
Blankets soften the edges of the shoulder season, allowing us to bundle up outside and sit amid the nature that awaits just beyond walls and windows. We design outdoor spaces with seasonality in mind, knowing our clients will spend as much time en plein air as possible. Be they covered in natural or built canopies, the porches and patios we plot encourage communing with nature as co-host.
HIDDEN LAKE
Perched beside a lake, this Tennessean residence unfolds along footbridges, with every pavilion oriented toward the water. To ground the aqueous sanctuary, we integrated all elements: set back from the bank, we carved out quiet interludes in flagstone (airy enclaves accented by fire bowls) to encourage earth-bound transcendence amid the watery wonderland.
This Wyoming oasis hugs a string of resuscitated ponds, a watery border honored by patios—thresholds which allow our clients to reflect upon the site’s industrial past and heirloom future.
Channeling the vernacular of early homesteads, we imagined a segmented program encompassing a cabin and a cottage, a schema integrated through hospitable outdoor spaces. Gracious porches overlook the waterway, creating parallel venues for private relaxation.
ABOUT JLF ARCHITECTS: Building timeless structures rooted in eloquence and elegance, Jackson- and Bozeman-based JLF Architects sources authentic materials and regional solutions to create place-based houses reflective of their contexts, whether that be the Rocky Mountains or the Eastern Seaboard. Our award-winning portfolio features inspired custom designs achieved through a genuine alliance with Big-D Signature, built over 17 years of collaboration. Our streamlined process unites passionate architects with dedicated builders to enable the collective imagination of visionary artisans working with visionary clients. For more information, visit www.JLFArchitects.com.
