Apple Valley, MN, United States
ALTUS Architecture + Design
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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 celebrating views of the lake.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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. The house engages the site during all seasons and was constructed for $200 per square foot.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| aerial--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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ason--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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model 01--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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model 02--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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model 03--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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lower level plan--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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main level plan--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| site graphic--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design |
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| site plan--Courtesy of ALTUS Architecture + Design< |
The people
Architects: ALTUS Architecture + Design
Location: Apple Valley, MN, United States
Landscape Design: Travis VanLiere, RLA
Project Area: 3360 sf
Project Year: 2008
Photography: Paul Crosby & ALTUS Architecture + Design
