Location
Mackinac Island, MI
Original Construction
1883
Size
4,850 sqft
Completion Date
2016

Mackinac Island holds a special place in the heart of history lovers.  There, history isn’t viewed or studied in a museum—it is experienced.

The project was to restore and update a classic 1883 Mackinac Island cottage, preserving a historic gem while accommodating the needs of 21st century family living.  These potentially conflicting goals inspired the architects to create a design which, like Mackinac Island itself, articulates a love and respect for historic architecture as a dynamic living environment. 

A classic example of a Charles Caskey Mackinac Island cottage, Caskey House had been changed only superficially since it was built. Caskey House was a true summer cottage, uninsulated and with nothing but ¾” siding separating the inside and outside. Though the client wanted a winterized cottage, because of the near perfect state of the original cottage design and materials, it was decided to restore the cottage to its original design to maintain its historic integrity. As an alternative, a winterized addition was implemented to meet the client’s needs. The two elements—historic cottage and the addition—were connected by an architectural link, or hyphen.

The restored original cottage is the star of the show; the respectful addition is set back and designed to be subservient to the original cottage, with the same massing and materials in a simplified form. Consistency in massing and materials creates the fabric which unites the two structures into a coherent whole.

The completed Caskey House is a lively home where sandy bare feet scamper down the halls, towels drape the furniture, and fishing rods lean against the kitchen wall. In the spirit of Mackinac Island, it embodies a dynamic love and respect for history, without the glass case or cobwebs.