The open, permeable design of this house results from the client’s active lifestyle and desire for connectivity to the site from all spaces. Designed for a narrow, wooded, pie-shaped lakefront site, this young family sought to develop outdoor play and garden spaces while enjoying views of the lake. The concept organizes the public and private spaces into two separate wood-clad forms connected by a glass-enclosed breezeway and screen porch. The breezeway becomes an open access between the car court and lakeside yard, allowing a flow of air and activity through the center of the house toward the lake.

This indoor/outdoor connection is reinforced by the continuous bluestone paving, linking front and back spaces. The wood-clad wings of the house sit on a bluestone “outcropping”, which extends the natural entry grade, grounding the house. A series of bluestone monolith steps extend from the lakeside terrace toward the shore. A folded, dark metal plane wraps the wood wings as walls and roof, creating a sculptural cap of the house. On the west edge of the house, the metal wall is punctuated by dynamic window placement, allowing light in while screening views of the neighbors. Dramatic floor to ceiling windows in the living/dining spaces and master bedroom draw in views of the site and lake, and provide north light.

Location: Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States
Completion Date: July 2008
Size: 3,360 s.f.

Design Team:
Tim A. Alt, AIA
Chad Healy, Assoc. AIA
Roger Cummelin

See all photos in project: “Farquar Lake Residence”
Architect: ALTUS Architecture + Design
Photography: Paul Crosby