Lake House

About

Lake House is a 44-room motor inn located on the main street of Lake Placid, a town known both for its natural landscape and for hosting the Winter Olympics twice, including the historic 1980 USA–USSR hockey game. Originally built in the 1960s, the property underwent a series of haphazard renovations in the 1980s and had since fallen into disrepair. Mapos was commissioned by hotel developer AWH to lead a comprehensive rebranding and renovation, reimagining the Adirondack motor inn for a contemporary audience while offering a distinct alternative to local competitors.

Situated along the edge of Mirror Lake and surrounded by thousands of miles of hiking trails and lakes, the design draws from multiple sources: the rugged architecture of the Adirondack Great Camps, the bright optimism of mid-century American motor inns, and the colors and textures of the surrounding landscape. Together, these influences shape a stay that is playful, welcoming, and rooted in place.

In collaboration with Tag Collective, Mapos developed a new identity for Lake House, encompassing naming, branding, print collateral, signage, artwork, and wayfinding. Custom millwork, case goods, and light fixtures were designed throughout, with furnishings conceived to withstand the “hockey stick test,” allowing wear over time to contribute to character rather than detract from it. Working closely with local conservationists, the team developed a restrained yet expressive color palette: muted rustic browns to harmonize with the landscape, paired with a fire-engine red accent that nods to regional architectural heritage. The interiors are completed with a curated FF&E package and furnishings sourced in part from local antique dealers, reinforcing a sense of authenticity and lived-in warmth.

Brief

Category:  Hospitality
Client: AWH Partners
Year:  2014
Location:  Lake Placid, NY
Size:  29,500 sf

Architect of Record: Mapos, LLC

Project Team: 
Caleb Mulvena
   principle & lead designer
K.T. Anthony Chan
   project designer & junior project manager
Xinyang Chen
   designer
Katherine Kokoska
   designer

Branding Partner:  Tag Collective
Photographer: Oleg March

Gallery