Gerendák / Wittehaus

Architects: Wittehaus
Interior Design: Geri Eaker, Freespace Design
General Contractor: Lynn Luxury Homes
Area: 5,354 ft²
Year: 2022
Photography: Amanda Anderson
Lead Architect: Toby Witte
Builder: Buddy Edwards, Lynn Luxury Homes
Custom Cabinetry: Jim Daniels, Custom Cabinet Studio
Structural Engineers: IDE Structural Engineers
Landscaping: Scott Weatherup, C&D Landscaping
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
Country: USA

The Gerendák private residence, designed by Wittehaus in Charlotte, North Carolina, addresses challenging topography with a platform strategy that enables both structural drama and accessibility. Completed in 2022, the home fulfills the clients’ request for an “extraordinary” space that cantilevers over Lake Wylie while remaining free of internal stairs. Cut stone walls form terraces into the hillside to support three distinct volumes. A central music room organizes the layout. Passive solar protection, an exposed structural frame, and efficient building systems contribute to both performance and environmental responsiveness.

“The Chopsticks.” supported a studio space that was dramatically cantilevered over a cliff. Structurally, it posed a major challenge. The studio rested with just a small portion on a hillside terrace held back by a story-high stone wall—imagine placing a long, boxed-up birthday present on a table and pushing it well past the edge, far beyond what gravity should allow.
The views were breathtaking, spanning three directions as you stepped off the cliff and into the floating edges of the studio.
Interview with Toby Witte of Wittehaus

Gerendák / wittehaus — “The Chopsticks” Supported Studio in Gerendák / Wittehaus

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the architecture studio Wittehaus was commissioned to design a private residence for clients involved in the local art scene. Their request was simple but ambitious: to create what they called an “extraordinary home.” They envisioned a residence that would project into the forest canopy above Lake Wylie, but remain entirely accessible without the use of stairs, accommodating their long-term needs.

The design strategy began by transforming the topography. Stone retaining walls were cut into the hillside to form a series of terraces. These terraces established a new ground level, allowing the house to be entered from grade on one side while it extends outward into open space above the lake. This approach eliminated the need for interior stairs and provided uninterrupted views from all primary spaces.

The program is organized into three separate volumes: a main living area, a primary suite, and a studio office. Each is carefully positioned for expansive views, privacy, and visual continuity between zones. The arrangement supports both independent activity and shared experience within the residence. At the center of the plan is a music room designed around the client’s baby grand piano. This space became the focal point of the layout and connects directly to a floating stair that leads to the guest wing below. Vertical floor-to-ceiling steel rods serve as balustrades, and sliding panels allow the room to be acoustically enclosed or opened to the rest of the house, depending on use.

The main structure is articulated through exposed beams and vertical posts that support a horizontal roof plane. Three sides of the living area are enclosed entirely in glass, allowing the space to dissolve into the surrounding tree canopy. These posts also act as vertical shading elements. Their depth was calibrated to limit solar heat gain from the western sun while preserving panoramic views. An intermediate light shelf introduces a human-scaled proportion to the terrace and adds additional solar control.

Toby Witte, principal of Wittehaus, noted, “Truly, the most important benefit of exposing the structure is the effect it has on your sense within the space. It provides such simplicity, clarity, and calmness. It is just so peaceful in there.”

Construction was managed by Buddy Edwards of Lynn Luxury Homes, who coordinated closely with Witte and IDE Structural Engineers to implement the project’s unconventional material choices and construction methods.

“Projects like Gerendák are perfect for me,” Buddy Edwards explained. “I enjoy the camaraderie that develops between the builder, the designer, and the client. I am inspired by good architecture.”

Geri Eaker of Freespace Design led the interior design. Eaker expanded the architectural intent through the careful integration of materials, spatial detailing, and custom furnishings. She was responsible for the layout and finish of the kitchen, bathrooms, and built-in elements throughout the home.

“It is the details that are important, subliminally or otherwise. Your hands, your eyes, they pick up on it. Details inform everything,” Geri Eaker said.

Jim Daniels of Custom Cabinet Studio designed and fabricated the custom cabinetry. His work contributed to the visual continuity and functional clarity of each space, reinforcing the overall architectural rhythm.

Environmental performance was a key consideration in the design process. The surrounding forest was preserved, and a rooftop solar panel system was installed to offset energy use. The building envelope was tightly constructed, and high-efficiency windows imported from Germany were selected for their thermal performance. Together, these strategies resulted in a low HERS Index score, validating the building’s energy efficiency.

Gerendák reflects a collaborative architectural process shaped by the clients’ aspirations, the site’s demands, and a commitment to spatial clarity and performance. The result is a residence that balances expressive structure with long-term livability.