Designing a lake home involves more than creating beautiful spaces and capturing the view. Waterfront properties bring unique considerations, including shoreline regulations, challenging terrain, changing weather, seasonal use, and the practical realities of life near the water.
At Bonin Architects & Associates, lake home and waterfront design is a core part of our work. Our portfolio includes custom homes, renovations, additions, boathouses, and complete waterfront properties on Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnisquam, Squam Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, Pleasant Lake, and waterfront locations throughout New Hampshire and northern New England.
We bring architecture, landscape design, permitting, and construction planning together to create homes that feel connected to the water and suited to the people who enjoy them. With a landscape architect on staff, we can consider the home and surrounding property as one cohesive design.
Understanding the Property
Every waterfront site has its own opportunities and constraints. Steep slopes, ledge, mature trees, wetlands, limited access, shoreline setbacks, and existing structures can all influence the placement, size, and layout of a home.
Our process begins with a careful study of the land. We consider topography, sunlight, prevailing winds, privacy, drainage, vegetation, access, and the relationship between the home and shoreline. Addressing these conditions early can help prevent costly surprises while revealing opportunities that may not be immediately visible.
Waterfront properties are also subject to local and state requirements involving setbacks, septic systems, wetlands, stormwater management, vegetation, flood zones, and nonconforming structures. We coordinate with surveyors, engineers, builders, environmental consultants, and permitting officials to establish a clear path forward and reduce the potential for delays or redesigns.
Designing for Lake Life
A successful lake home should feel connected to its surroundings from the moment you enter. Views are carefully framed through windows, doors, porches, terraces, and interior sightlines. Rooms are positioned to take advantage of the water while balancing sunlight, glare, privacy, and seasonal changes.
We use window placement, scale, and proportion to create intentional views throughout the home. The experience from the kitchen may be different from the primary bedroom, screened porch, or quiet reading nook.
Lake homes must also work for everyday life. They often serve as gathering places for children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. The home should feel comfortable during a quiet weekend while still functioning well when every room is full.
Gathering spaces, guest suites, bunk rooms, mudrooms, outdoor showers, screened porches, and storage are planned around the realities of lake living. Towels, life jackets, paddleboards, fishing equipment, skis, coolers, and muddy shoes all need a place. Considering these details early creates a home that feels organized, comfortable, and easy to enjoy.
Creating a Complete Waterfront Property
The experience of a lake property extends well beyond the house. Paths, patios, gardens, fire features, stone walls, docks, boathouses, and shoreline access should feel like part of one cohesive design.
With architecture and landscape architecture under one roof, our team can consider the entire property together. This creates a natural transition between indoor and outdoor spaces while supporting privacy, drainage, erosion control, and the long-term health of the site.
We also help clients plan for the future. A seasonal retreat may eventually become a year-round residence or need to serve several generations. First-floor living, accessible entries, flexible rooms, durable materials, energy efficiency, and generous storage can help the home adapt over time without compromising its character.
Whether the project is a new custom home, renovation, addition, boathouse, or complete waterfront master plan, Bonin Architects & Associates brings the experience needed to guide it from the earliest ideas through construction.