Elm Grove – Wisconsin, USA

Set into a steep, wooded lakefront site in Milwaukee, this home uses Vulcan Cladding to create a warm timber envelope that feels naturally connected to its surroundings.

Project details

Architect: Vetter Architects

Product: Vulcan Cladding in Protector – Teak (custom profile)

Distributor: reSAWN TIMBER co.

Photography: Ryan Hainey

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Designed by Vetter Architects, Elm Grove takes an unconventional approach to suburban living. Rather than imposing itself on the landscape, the terraced residence follows the steep contours of its lakefront site, stepping down towards the water and opening up to views of the surrounding woodland.

The architecture unfolds across multiple levels, with an entrance positioned on the second floor and expansive glazing bringing natural light deep into the home. As the residence rises, the glazing becomes increasingly generous, creating a strong visual connection between the interior and its surroundings.

Elm Grove Vulcan Cladding Protector Teak Abodo Wood 06

Wrapping the residence in timber was key to grounding this distinctly modern form within its natural setting. Vulcan Cladding in Protector – Teak, creates a warm and textural exterior that complements the wooded landscape. Its clear vertical grain creates a refined and consistent appearance across the expansive façade.

Yet on this demanding waterside site, the choice of timber needed to deliver more than aesthetics. With exposure to changing weather and moisture levels, longevity was an important consideration for both the architect and homeowner.

Elm Grove Vulcan Cladding Protector Teak Abodo Wood 04

Made from rapidly renewable New Zealand Radiata pine, Vulcan Cladding is thermally modified using heat and steam. This process changes the timber at a cellular level, reducing moisture absorption and enhancing both dimensional stability and durability without relying on chemical preservatives.

Abodo’s vertical grain engineering further enhances these characteristics, helping the boards remain straight and stable through changing environmental conditions. For a home enveloped almost entirely in timber, and positioned beside water, these qualities were particularly important.

Elm Grove Vulcan Cladding Protector Teak Abodo Wood 02

Beyond its durability and stability, Vulcan offered another important advantage: a more responsible source of architectural timber. Made from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified New Zealand plantation pine, the rapidly renewable timber is transformed into a high-performance alternative to ancient, old growth timbers.

For Elm Grove, this combination of considered sourcing, technical performance and natural beauty made Vulcan a fitting material for a home designed around its relationship with the landscape.

From the warm timber exterior to the carefully framed views beyond it, Elm Grove demonstrates how contemporary architecture can sit confidently and quietly – within nature.