The Lakehouse is a modern addition to a private residence in Crescent, Iowa, designed by Wallace E. Cunningham. Its bold forms turn structural steel into a defining part of the architecture. A funnel-like roof, sweeping cantilever, and grand curved stairway give the addition its distinctive shape.
Date: Anticipated 2027
Location: Crescent, Iowa
Architect: Wallace E Cunningham
Contractor: C2 Building Company
Project Type: Single Family
Square Footage: 6,600
Steel Tonnage: 435
Construction Cost: $15 Million
Services Provided:
Structural Engineering
Steel Detailing
THE LAKEHOUSE
KL&A provided structural engineering for the addition, including the roof’s complex steel framing. Its curved profile relies on specially rolled members that extend outward to create the cantilever. Translating that geometry into a workable structure required careful attention to how the members meet and how their connections support the design.
RECOGNITION
2025 Allplan Awards – Grand Prize: Commercial Small Tonnage
2026 HSS Project of the Year: Residential Category
KL&A also provided steel detailing, developing a three-dimensional model to resolve the roof’s unusual geometry and intricate connections. The model helped the team visualize conditions that were difficult to capture in conventional drawings and coordinate the custom steel with the project team, carrying Cunningham’s design through to construction.