CBI Design Professionals’ Lakeside Residence Receives Multiple Magazine Features

September 9, 2026/in Architecture Awards /by CBI

After being recognized at the 2026 Detroit Design Awards, CBI Design Professionals’ Waterford Island Residence is continuing to draw attention within Michigan’s architecture and design community, with recent feature stories in both Michigan Blue and Great Lakes By Design.

Each publication takes a closer look at the project from a different perspective, exploring the unusual Maceday Lake site, the architectural response to the property, and the collaboration between architecture and interior design that helped shape the finished residence.

Together, the features offer a deeper look at the ideas behind the project while highlighting why this distinctive Waterford home continues to stand out.

Waterford Island Residence

Michigan Blue Features the Waterford Residence in “Lakeside Luxe”

The Spring 2026 issue of Michigan Blue features the residence in “Lakeside Luxe,” written by Khristi S. Zimmeth and photographed by James Haefner. The article explores how an unusual property shaped the project from its earliest stages. An 1880s log cabin originally occupied the site, and the homeowners initially approached CBI Design Professionals to explore renovating and expanding it. After evaluating a structure that had been altered and added onto over many years, the decision was ultimately made to begin again, opening new possibilities for the property.

Situated on a point with approximately 375 feet of Maceday Lake frontage, the new residence was designed to take advantage of the site’s unusual geometry and surrounding water. The feature also offers additional insight into the collaboration between CBI Design Professionals and Integrated Architectural Interiors, CBI’s interior design division. Amanda Fox describes an approach that combines traditional architectural forms with more modern detailing, while carefully selected colors and materials help connect the interiors to the home’s lakeside setting. CBI’s Wendy Silverman and Emily Plattner also contributed to the interior spaces.

Great Lakes By Design Explores an “Island House” Shaped by Its Site

Great Lakes By Design approaches the residence from a particularly architectural perspective in its feature “Island House,” written by Diane Kolak and photographed by James Haefner. The wooded site curves sharply into Maceday Lake, creating roughly 270 degrees of water exposure. Architects Robert Clarke, AIA, NCARB, and Amanda Fox, AIA, NCARB responded by allowing the home’s form to follow the shoreline rather than imposing a conventional plan on the property.

The article also examines how CBI managed the scale of the residence. From the approach, gabled forms, symmetry and traditional proportions create a more measured presence. As the architecture turns toward the lake, it becomes increasingly open, with angled volumes and expansive glazing responding to the curving shoreline. Traditional roof forms and materials are paired with a more contemporary approach to windows, circulation and indoor-outdoor connections. The publication also highlights the craftsmanship within the home, including custom millwork, cabinetry and stonework that evolved into a sculptural architectural element helping to unify the interiors.

A Closer Look at the Waterford Island Residence

Waterford Island Residence

Seeing the Waterford Island Residence featured by both Michigan Blue and Great Lakes By Design is especially rewarding because each publication examines the project through a slightly different lens.

Together, the features provide new context for the design process while leaving the finished residence itself to tell the rest of the story.

We appreciate both publications for recognizing the project and taking a closer look at the architecture, interiors and collaboration behind it.

Explore the complete Waterford Island Residence to see the finished architecture, interiors and project photography.

CBI Design Professionals Earns Three 2026 Detroit Design Awards

July 21, 2026/in Architecture Awards /by CBI

CBI Design Professionals is proud to announce that three of our projects have been recognized in the 2026 Detroit Design Awards.

These awards celebrate excellence across Michigan’s architecture and design community, and we are grateful to see our work recognized in the categories of traditional architecture, lighting design, and traditional Dining Room.

Third Place: Traditional Architecture — Waterford Island Residence

Located on an island in Waterford, this residence is a multi-level lakefront home that pairs traditional architectural character with the needs of modern family life.

Completed in 2023, the home features expansive windows, custom millwork, generous indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, and carefully planned areas for recreation and entertaining. Every detail was designed to take advantage of the surrounding lake views while creating a residence that feels both refined and comfortable.

The result is a highly personalized retreat that respects traditional design principles while supporting the way the homeowners live, gather, and entertain today.

Explore this Waterford Island Residence and see more of the project’s architectural details.

Second Place: Interior/Exterior Lighting — Huntington Woods Dining Room

The lighting design within this dining room was centered around a handcrafted porcelain chandelier created by a Romanian artist.

Rather than serving solely as a source of illumination, the chandelier was integrated into the room as a sculptural art installation. Its cascading porcelain forms create movement, texture, and a warm glow that changes as natural light enters through the surrounding windows.

Completed in 2025, the space demonstrates how thoughtfully selected lighting can shape the atmosphere and identity of an entire room.

View the Huntington Woods project and learn more about the lighting design.

Second Place: Traditional Dining Room — Huntington Woods Interiors Residence

This dining room was also recognized in the Traditional Dining Room category for its balance of classical architecture, custom furnishings, and artistic detail.

A barrel-vaulted ceiling and traditional moldings establish the room’s architectural character, while floor-to-ceiling windows create a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. At the center of the space, a custom Macassar ebony dining table with brass detailing complements the porcelain chandelier above.

Together, these elements create a room that is elegant, inviting, and carefully tailored to the home.

Discover more of the custom craftsmanship and design details within the Huntington Woods Residence.

We are grateful to the Detroit Design Awards for recognizing these projects and proud to share the achievement with the clients, builders, artisans, and project partners who helped bring them to life.

At CBI Design Professionals, we believe exceptional residential design begins with listening. Each project should respond to its setting, reflect the people who live there, and bring together architecture, craftsmanship, and functionality in a meaningful way.

CBI Design Professionals Shines Bright at 2023 BALA Awards!

April 10, 2024/in Architecture Awards /by CBI

We are thrilled to share some exciting news from CBI Design Professionals! At the prestigious 2023 Best in American Living Awards (BALA), our team walked away with top honors in not one, not two, but three distinguished categories!

The BALA Awards are a beacon of recognition in the world of architecture and design, celebrating outstanding creativity, craftsmanship, and vision. We are humbled and honored to have been acknowledged in the Specialty Project, Design Detail, and Historic Preservation/Restoration categories

In the Specialty Project category, CBI Design Professionals clinched the Platinum distinction for our exceptional focus on a single space dedicated to a specific function within a home. Our team poured boundless creativity and ingenuity into crafting a foyer space that redefines luxury living. From seamlessly integrating the character of a 100-year-old home to seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor elements, our foyer design invites nature into the living space while maintaining the timeless charm of the residence.

Our commitment to preserving architectural heritage was recognized with the prestigious Silver award in the Historic Preservation/Restoration category. By meticulously honoring the character and integrity of historic structures, we breathed new life into a cherished architectural gem, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.

Furthermore, our dedication to flawless craftsmanship and attention to detail earned us the Gold award in the Design Detail category. Our expertise in architectural detailing was showcased through the exquisite ceiling design in a luxury condominium foyer. With a suspended groin vault ceiling, we aimed to create a captivating entryway that exudes sophistication and charm, setting a new standard for architectural elegance.

“We are immensely proud to receive these prestigious awards from the Best in American Living Awards 2023. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and talent of our exceptional team. At CBI Design Professionals and Integrated Architectural Interiors, we strive to push the boundaries of architectural excellence while honoring the rich heritage of our past. These awards inspire us to continue delivering exceptional design solutions that exceed our clients’ expectations and enrich the communities we serve.” – Robert Clarke, Co-Founder and President

At CBI Design Professionals, we are committed to shaping environments that inspire and endure. With a diverse portfolio spanning residential, commercial, and institutional projects, we remain at the forefront of architectural innovation and excellence. As we look ahead, we are excited to continue our journey of creating spaces that elevate experiences and leave a lasting legacy.

CBI: Gold Award Winner

March 3, 2023/in Architecture Awards /by CBI

2022 Best in American Living Gold Award Winner

CBI Design Professionals is the most recent recipient of the BALA 2022 One-of-a-Kind Custom Home (2,001–3,000 sq.ft.) Gold award. BALA is the premier awards program that spotlights the best residential designs in the building industry. The awards were presented during the recent International Builders Show.

Luxury residential design is a specialty of CBI Design Professionals. The newly built home that earned this group such a prestigious award is on the shores of Lake Leelanau and features wrap-around porches, a hidden boat house, a private hot tub terrace, and more.

The design of the lake house architecture is intentionally meant to pay homage to bygone eras where traditional wood detailing was a feature in and of itself. Every room in the award-winning home has a view of the water but still affords plenty of privacy as well.

Designed to complement the local cottage vernacular, the lakeside home is an idyllic representation of CBI Design Professionals’ commitment to respecting local character while simultaneously achieving customized functional appeal.

As elite custom residential architects, CBI Design Professionals insisted on using locally sourced materials, including wood materials and stone, whenever possible for the project.

These materials are also part of the historical vernacular of homes along Lake Leelanau. The natural, local materials add to the home’s charm and its ability to nestle right into its surroundings. The builder for the project was Burkholder Construction.

CBI Design Professionals was founded by Robert Clarke, who serves as the company president. Established in 1989, the firm has managed elite projects that include residential, educational, commercial, and religious properties.

Along with the 2022 One-of-a-Kind Custom Home Gold BALA Award and dozens of others, a few of the additional recent awards earned by CBI Design Professionals include 3rd place in the Large Remodel category, 3rd place for the Addition Project category, and 3rd place for the Historic Renovation Restoration category for the Detroit Design Awards.

Residential Architecture Bloomfield Township

CBI Recognized with Top Honors

February 18, 2022/in Architecture Awards /by CBI