Bhat Residence / Wittehaus

Architect: Wittehaus
Year: 2024
Area: 2,704 ft²
Photography: Rusty Williams Photo
Lead Architect: Toby Witte
Builder: Mike Masto and Ryan Dennison, Spoke & Hammer
Custom Cabinetry: Doug Kalna, Sole Furnishings
Structural Engineers: IDE Structural Engineers
Manufacturers: Sierra Pacific (Exterior Windows and Doors), Subzero Wolf (Kitchen Range), Fisher & Paykel (Dishwasher Drawers), GE Café (Refrigerator), XO (Beverage Center), Flos (Pendants), Dyson (Hand Dryer), Rinnai (Tankless Water Heater), Bison Screwjack (Rooftop Stand-off System), Lennox (Mechanical Equipment)
Location: Lake Wylie, York County, South Carolina, United States

The Bhat Residence, designed by Wittehaus in Lake Wylie, SC, transforms a challenging lakeside terrain into a modern home that balances privacy, sustainability, and connection to nature. Completed in 2024, the design consists of two black geometric volumes anchored by exposed concrete walls that define spatial boundaries and reinforce structural stability. A raised central courtyard functions as the home’s focal point, creating a private outdoor retreat within the composition. High-performance construction techniques, including an airtight envelope, passive solar strategies, and solar-ready roofs, enhance energy efficiency. The residence merges contemporary craftsmanship with cultural influences, creating a refined living space that responds to both the site and the personal identity of its owners.

The Bhat Residence grew from the rich cultural roots of our clients, they envisioned a bold, black house with bright red accents—and the site added its challenges, with a steep hill and an awkward approach.
From these elements—and their programmatic needs—the idea of a central, elevated courtyard was born. It became the heart of the home, with every space, the structure, and circulation paths arranged around it.
We saw it as a boulder embedded in the hillside, with the spaces flowing around it like a river cascading down a mountain.
Interview with Toby Witte of Wittehaus

Bhat Residence, designed by Wittehaus under the direction of Toby Witte, is a contemporary home that overcomes the challenges of a steep lakefront site while integrating cultural and environmental considerations. Commissioned by a Chicago couple with South Asian heritage, the design is shaped by a need for privacy, connection to nature, and sustainable performance. The residence is composed of two cube-like black volumes, positioned to frame a central courtyard terrace. This elevated outdoor space sits atop a lower-level connective area, maintaining a strong relationship between the built form and its surroundings.

Exposed concrete plays a defining role in the home’s structural integrity and spatial composition. Angled concrete walls secure the residence to the hillside while shaping interior and exterior transitions. These walls act as both visual and physical barriers, offering privacy from neighboring properties while defining distinct living zones. At the heart of the project, the courtyard serves as a unifying element, allowing for a fluid connection between indoor and outdoor environments. The interplay of concrete partitions further enhances the sense of separation between public and private spaces without disrupting the home’s overall spatial cohesion.

Sustainability is central to the design, with passive and active strategies ensuring optimal energy performance. The airtight construction minimizes heat loss while controlled ventilation maintains high indoor air quality. In-line water heaters with recirculation pumps reduce water waste by providing instant hot water. Expansive roof overhangs regulate solar gain, shading the interiors in summer while allowing the lower winter sun to penetrate deeper into the living spaces. The sloped, south-facing roofs are pre-equipped with electrical conduits for future solar panel installation, aligning with the client’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

The home’s seemingly monolithic exterior is punctuated by strategically placed glazing that carefully balances transparency and seclusion. Expansive windows along the south-facing façade provide unobstructed views of Lake Wylie while maximizing natural light. This precise orchestration of solid and open surfaces fosters a strong connection between the home’s interiors and the surrounding landscape, ensuring both privacy and engagement with the natural setting. The complexity of the design demanded expert craftsmanship and precise execution. Builders Mike Masto and Ryan Dennison of Spoke & Hammer meticulously integrated structural materials, ensuring seamless transitions between concrete, glass, and wood. A key engineering feature of the residence is the rooftop terrace, where pavers are installed on a standoff system above a waterproof membrane. This concealed drainage system, hidden behind the rain-screen cedar siding, ensures efficient water management while preserving the home’s clean architectural expression.

Bhat Residence is more than an architectural response to a challenging site; it is an intimate reflection of its owner’s identity, values, and vision for modern living. The design blends contemporary aesthetics with cultural influences, creating a home that is both deeply personal and environmentally conscious. Under the direction of Wittehaus, the project achieves a refined balance between form, function, and emotional connection to place.

As Witte expresses in Supersizing Bliss: How We Have Betrayed Our Homes and the Happiness We Seek – “When it’s all said and done, however, the purpose of it all is to indeed supersize your bliss. The entire exercise is there for one purpose – to make you ecstatic with happiness. Your home is there to bring joy to your life. That is it.”