An architectural masterpiece set high above the cliffs of Smith Lake with a crooked tree as its namesake, the home named Crooked Tree Lodge is striking and deeply personal at the same time. While the architecture makes a strong visual statement, this beautiful work of art still functions as a warm, welcoming place for family to gather, grow, and create memories together.
The homeowners were drawn to Smith Lake because of its dramatic natural beauty; the deep water, steep cliffs, dense trees, and rugged shoreline create a landscape unlike anywhere else in the region. They previously owned a lake home nearby and knew they wanted to build again in a similar part of the lake because of their connection to the area.
Interestingly, they first identified this property while out on the water by boat, marking the site by a distinctive crooked tree near the shoreline that has since become a symbolic focal point of the home itself.
The rawness of the landscape provided the perfect backdrop for the architects, Shelby and Braeden Scally of Scally Design, to create clean, restrained forms set against the timeless character of the natural environment.
This home was inspired by a desire to reinterpret the traditional American lake house through a distinctly New Zealand lens, (Braeden Scally is from New Zealand.) The design draws heavily from the restraint and honesty of rural agricultural buildings found throughout Logan, Alabama, as well as the clean, utilitarian forms common in New Zealand architecture. Rather than creating a single monumental structure, the home was composed as three simple gabled pavilions that feel grounded in the landscape and connected to the surrounding environment.
Braeden says, "One of the most important design decisions was breaking the 6,200-square-foot home into three distinct pavilions: the main living space, the primary suite, and the guest accommodations. This approach allowed the home to feel more intimate and connected to the scale of the site rather than overwhelming it."
The pavilions are linked by fully glazed bridges that create moments of pause and transition while moving through the house. Braeden continues, "Walking between them feels almost like moving through the trees themselves, constantly reconnecting you to the landscape and the changing light."
The home was also designed entirely on one level to allow the homeowners to age in place comfortably over time. Durability and low maintenance were equally important considerations, especially given the lakefront setting and Alabama climate. Every material and detail was selected with longevity in mind.
The orientation of the home was another major driver in the design. The pavilions were carefully aligned due west to frame panoramic sunset views over Smith Lake and to capture the dramatic shifts in natural light throughout the day.
Natural materials were central to the identity of the home. One of the defining elements is the exterior cladding: Thermally modified and sustainably grown pine from New Zealand.
Shelby states, "Beyond its rich texture and depth, the material was important because it connected back to Braeden’s New Zealand roots while also serving a practical purpose. The timber process makes the material highly resistant to rot and moisture, which are essential qualities for a low-maintenance home in Alabama’s notoriously humid climate."
Inside, European white oak was used extensively on the floors and ceilings to create warmth and continuity throughout the home. Natural stone was layered throughout the project to introduce texture and a sense of permanence, giving the house a grounded, hand-crafted feel despite its clean architectural lines.
Locally sourced Alabama Blue Rubble stone provided a rugged contrast to the dark timber and expansive glass, while the board-formed concrete base anchors the home into the steep hillside in a way that feels both structural and honest.
The site itself presented one of the greatest challenges of the project for Scally. Shelby remarks, "The property drops nearly 100 feet from the road to the water, and the homeowners were committed to having the entire home function on a single level. Achieving that required carefully working with the natural contours of the land rather than against them." She continues, "Mature trees were preserved wherever possible, and portions of the structure were engineered to lightly cantilever over the slope to minimize disruption to the terrain."
One of the most unique elements in the home is the lighting. The fixtures over the island and staircase were designed by New Zealand lighting designer David Trubridge, whose work has long been admired for its sculptural quality and connection to nature. "Incorporating those pieces brought another subtle layer of New Zealand influence into the project," Braeden comments.
"The Abodo Vulcan timber cladding was also especially meaningful because it was sourced from rapidly renewable New Zealand forests, blending sustainability with a strong personal connection to place and heritage."
When asked what they love about the home Shelby beams, "Every detail was thoughtfully designed and carefully considered, it never feels overly formal. Despite being a highly refined home, it still feels relaxed and approachable; kind of place where you can walk in barefoot after a day on the lake and immediately feel at home."
That balance between sophistication and comfort was incredibly important to the homeowners and ultimately became one of the defining characteristics of the project.
Because the home was designed with longevity in mind, the homeowners appreciate how effortlessly it supports everyday living and future aging in place. Shelby adds, "For the homeowners the main living pavilion has become a favorite space because of the way it brings everyone together while framing expansive views across Smith Lake."
And when it comes to favorite rooms, Shelby has an affinity for the bathroom with the freestanding tub. "My favorite room is the primary bathroom. There’s an immediate sense of calm when you walk into the space which feels more like a quiet spa retreat than a typical residential bathroom." She continues, "The natural materials, soft light, and connection to the outdoors create a feeling that’s both grounding and peaceful."
Braeden's favorite space in the home is the entry foyer connecting the main living and guest pavilions. He states, "The solid wood entry door provides a sense of anticipation for what lies beyond, opening to a view of the point across the water, the space reconnects you to the landscape and sets the tone for what will unfold throughout the architecture of the home."
Scally Design is redefining lake living in the most stunning way. Crooked Tree Lodge will become a focal point for Smith Lake dwellers and an inspiration in design and architecture for all Alabamians.
Scally Design+Construct
105 Washington Street SE
Suite 201
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
662.322.4546