Deeply tied to the narrative of the landscape, Squam Lake remains one of the Northeast’s most cherished waters. Over generations, local communities have preserved not only its delicate ecology, but also its understated character—where a spirit of restraint and quiet modesty takes precedence over grandeur.

On Golden Pond was conceived as a family retreat balancing togetherness with solitude, connection to the element with shelter from them. Designed for siblings seeking to preserve the simple lakeside rhythms established by their grandparents in the 1960s, the new retreat emerged when the site’s original cottage reached the end of its functional life, they turned to Lagom Architects to write the property’s next chapter.

Rooted in the timeless vernacular of classic New England camps, while taking some modern liberties, the main volume houses the central gathering spaces—kitchen, dining, and living areas—alongside key service functions and a generous covered porch for gatherings overlooking the water.

Flanking the central hub, distinct residential wings function as private cottage retreats connected by outdoor breezeways. This layout provides each family with its own quiet sanctuary at the end of long days spent together on the lake.