A successful conference requires candor; candor requires trust; and trust develops when participants get to know one another. The Guest House allows participants to stay on the grounds of Wingspread and continue their conversations in an inviting, comfortable, informal atmosphere.

Completed in 2002, the Guest House blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Designed in harmony with the prairie style of Wingspread, the 42-room, 38,000-square-foot Guest House settles quietly into the bluff above the pond, its zigzag shape disguising a residence nearly three times the size of Wingspread.

In keeping with the Foundation’s mission, the Guest House and its surrounding landscape is a model for sustainable design. The entire building, including interior products and materials, minimizes the Guest House’s impact on the environment and reduces energy costs. Many guest room furnishings are manufactured locally, and fabrics consist predominantly of natural, renewable materials. From conception through completion, the Foundation strives to harmonize green design with comfort and elegance for our guests.

The living room is floored in warm Brazilian cherry; the sofas and chairs carefully selected for comfortable conversation. The harvest table of flame birch was made from an aged log recovered from the cold depths of Lake Superior. A massive limestone fireplace, flanked by books, is a popular place for conferees to continue dialogue begun earlier in the day over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. An opposing wall of glass doors opens onto a terrace and the pond. Guest rooms overlook the woods and water and invite restful sleep, allowing guests to refresh.