
- Project: Lakeside Studio
- Architect: Mark Dziewulski Architect
- Location: United States, Carmichael, California
- Year: 2005
- Area: 111 m2
Lakeside Studio by Mark Dziewulski Architect is a striking example of architecture that responds poetically to its natural surroundings. Located in California, this private retreat was conceived as a serene, multifunctional space—part office, part art studio, part gallery, and part living space—all unified within a single fluid volume.
The design is anchored in the owner’s vision: a tranquil environment that offers uninterrupted views of a nearby river and the surrounding landscape. To realize this, Mark Dziewulski Architect crafted a structure that elegantly twists and curves, harmonizing bold sculptural expression with thoughtful spatial functionality.
A Dialogue Between Architecture and Nature
Central to the studio’s design is its dynamic relationship with nature. A cantilevered floor extends dramatically over the lake, immersing visitors in the scenery while offering exhilarating views beneath their feet through transparent glass panels. A skeletal metal stair floats above the water before grounding itself on a monumental stone base embedded in the riverbank, reinforcing the building’s connection to the site.
Walls of floor-to-ceiling glass dissolve the boundaries between interior and exterior, allowing the lush greenery and water reflections to permeate the space. A deep roof overhang shades the interiors, creating a soft gradient between light and shadow that enhances the meditative atmosphere.
Natural Light as an Architectural Element
Light plays a fundamental role in shaping the Lakeside Studio experience. Reflective ripples from the water animate the ceiling, while skylights and a rooftop oculus choreograph a poetic dance of sunlight throughout the day. A curved glass wall composed of angled translucent and transparent panels creates an “optical louver,” directing views to the river and serving as a luminous display wall for the owner’s sculpture collection.
A Built Sculpture Over Water
Dziewulski’s composition reads as a piece of inhabitable art. The studio’s sculptural massing and floating quality mirror the elegance of natural forms, while distinct building elements—glass walls, concrete floors, curving rooflines, and vertical piers—maintain their autonomy within an intricately interwoven design. Despite its complexity, the architecture radiates effortlessness and tranquility, much like a perfectly poised sculpture set in motion by the lake’s reflection.
Bold Yet Harmonious Design
Though serene in its final form, the studio’s construction involved substantial technical, structural, and material challenges. The success of the project is a testament to the collaboration between architects, engineers, and artisans—each contributing to a vision that blurs the line between built form and natural context.
