West Lake Residence
After years of Chicago condo living, our clients returned to Minnesota in search of the perfect place to plant their growing family. They selected an ideal site just outside the Twin Cities—close to family, friends, and nature—yet only 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
West Lake Residence
After years of Chicago condo living, our clients returned to Minnesota in search of the perfect place to plant their growing family. They selected an ideal site just outside the Twin Cities—close to family, friends, and nature—yet only 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
The clients envisioned a modern, retreat-like home that reconnected them with their Minnesota roots. To integrate the structure with its surroundings, we nestled the low-profile, linear form of the house into the hillside and oriented it toward the adjacent lake, offering sweeping views of the site from the main living spaces. Inside, the heart of the home is a vaulted, light-filled kitchen, living, and dining area where the family gathers to play and relax when the remote workday is done. Transom windows and multi-panel sliding doors flood the space with natural light and seamlessly connect indoors to out. A dramatic, lake-facing screen porch extends the volume of the main living area outside, further embracing the landscape.
Designed for a young, eco-conscious family, the fully electric, solar-ready home features a geothermal heating and cooling system, an energy recovery ventilator, and high-efficiency triple pane windows. A dedicated office and studio wing create separation between work and play spaces, while a first-floor guest suite accommodates visitors, multigenerational living, and aging-in-place. A thoughtfully designed mudroom with a “family organization zone” keeps daily life running smoothly. Custom millwork adds warmth and function, from a cozy white oak reading nook at the entry to a sliding slat screen that artfully conceals the TV. And a calming, nature-inspired palette enhances the design’s modern yet inviting character, creating a sanctuary that is beautiful, practical, and a true return to “home”.
Completed
2024
Team
Shelter Architecture, Sustainable 9 Design + Build, A.M. Structural Engineering, Demarc Land Surveying & Engineering
Accolades
Energy Star for Homes Certification | EPA Indoor airPLUS Certification | DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes Certification
Photographer
