Client Brief:
Britt Loukos, founder of Lumen Development, sought to create a modern event venue in the agrarian setting of Cleveland, North Carolina, near Charlotte. Britt wanted a venue that would elevate life’s most special celebrations while remaining functional, adaptable, and rooted in its rural surroundings.
Location:
Situated within a bucolic, agrarian landscape, the site required a design that harmonized with its natural and cultural context. The venue needed to embrace the setting while providing spaces for both intimate and grand gatherings, ensuring seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments.
Design Solution:
The Lumen House was envisioned as a modern interpretation of local barns, with two distinct gabled structures connected by a veranda that encourages movement and gathering. These forms reflect the simplicity and functionality of agrarian architecture while adapting them for modern celebrations. The dark gabled volume houses a greenhouse and bar for smaller events, complemented by essential back-of-house functions like a kitchen, storage, and restrooms. The greenhouse, designed with specialty skyscraper glass, maintains a comfortable environment year-round. The white gabled volume serves as a preparation and ceremonial space, featuring two getting-ready rooms, a private first-look courtyard open to the sky, and a spacious event hall with a large glass wall framing views of the surrounding countryside. The veranda links the indoor spaces with the outdoors, opening onto a lawn with a double-sided exterior fireplace that enhances the flow of events. At the edge of the lawn stands the venue’s centerpiece: a minimalist framed archway, we designed as a symbolic backdrop for wedding ceremonies. Inspired by the concept of home as the foundation of life, the archway serves as a sculptural representation of the journey a couple begins together. To ensure the venue operates efficiently, low-maintenance materials were chosen, including concrete floors, cement board, stucco, black brick siding, steel columns, and a standing seam metal roof. The clean, simple forms of the greenhouse and event space act as blank canvases, allowing each event to bring its unique style while maintaining a strong connection to nature.
Result:
The Lumen House is an event venue that transcends function, offering an architectural experience rooted in its agrarian setting and designed to celebrate life’s most meaningful connections. The venue balances durability and beauty, providing a timeless backdrop for weddings and events while reflecting our commitment to thoughtful, nature-connected design.
