Decades of human activity have altered freshwater lakes of the American West, diminishing ecological health and scenic quality. The rehabilitation of this ecologically sensitive, forested site safeguards the legacy of a family retreat while protecting the natural character of a glacial mountain lake.
Modest in scale yet significant in impact, the design balances conservation, stewardship, and adaptation. Quiet and deliberate, interventions restore rather than impose, creating a model of sustainability and showing how landscape architects can heal sensitive lands.
Context
On a steep, narrow, one-acre lakefront site in the Northern Rockies—bordered by Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park—years of development had disrupted the land’s natural buffer. Structures and manicured lawns stretched to the water’s edge, displacing riparian vegetation. Unfiltered runoff degraded water quality, disrupted shoreline ecology, and altered scenic views.
Yet among these impacts, a mixed forest of larch, fir, and birch endured, inspiring a vision for renewal rooted in environmental stewardship and restoration.
A Quiet Approach
The new owners sought a modest retreat that would be passed down for generations. Their vision prioritized harmony with nature and progressive ecological practices. A 600-square-foot cabin replaced larger, impervious structures, reducing the development footprint. A garage, embedded into the terrain with a vegetated roof, merges with the forest. Structures are carefully placed in natural clearings to preserve the canopy, reduce disturbance, and blend into the surrounding landscape.
The site plan highlights the property's embedding into the surrounding terrain.
Restoring Forest Ecology
The design embraces the interdependence of forest layers—shoreline, understory, and canopy—to enhance resilience, biodiversity, and ecological health.
Shoreline and Bank Reconstruction
Removal of walls and lawns allowed the shoreline to be recontoured and replanted with native woody species, stabilizing soil, filtering runoff, and reconnecting land to water.
Forest Floor and Herb Layers
Decaying leaves, moss, ferns, and soft-stemmed plants nurture fungi, insects, and microorganisms vital to a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Shrub and Understory Layers
Berry-producing shrubs and young successional trees provide wildlife habitat and forage.
Canopy and Emergent Layers
Selective thinning promotes diversity, improves forest structure, and enhances bird and bat habitat while reducing wildfire risk.
Craft
Locally salvaged boulders and reclaimed granite pavers create organic pathways that encourage immersion in the forest. Materials and details are intentionally understated, allowing the restored landscape to remain the central experience.