A Glass Staircase and Striking Rear Facade Define This Family Home in Minnesota
A hillside home appears modest on approach—but opens out to a dramatic two-story design that embraces views of the surrounding wetlands.
A hillside home appears modest on approach—but opens out to a dramatic two-story design that embraces views of the surrounding wetlands.
When a home is designed to sit within the landscape and invite nature inside, the way the views are framed is just as important as the architecture itself. This was certainly the case with Orchard Creek Hillside, a new-build home for a family of five in Orono, Minnesota. Designed by Everson Architect, the home is defined by striking, minimalist forms and punctuated by vast expanses of glass that dissolve the boundaries between inside and out and frame views of the surrounding wetlands.
"I’ve heard people say the home looks like something you would find in California, Arizona, or Florida," says architect Tommy Everson. "The way we configured it—tucked into the hillside—it’s nestled within nature. It’s all about the expansive use of space and views."
The 6,540-square-foot, hillside home is set on 8.39 acres bordering a wetland in Orono, Minnesota, and is part of an exclusive residential development by Gordon James Construction & Development. It features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an indoor sports court, wellness zones, a chef’s kitchen, and resort-style pool.
Photo by Spacecrafting
From the front, the home appears to be a modest, single-level dwelling, with a low profile and an elegantly minimal design language. From the rear, however, the true scale is revealed—two stories set into the hillside with a facade constructed almost entirely of windows and glass doors. "The homeowners didn’t want to draw a lot of attention with a grand entry," says Everson. "Instead, they reserved the grandiose gesture for the back of the house."
With such abundant glazing used throughout—from soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors, to picture windows that artfully frame views—specifying a product that would complement the ambitious design vision was essential.
The entrance hall is sandwiched between two enormous glazed panels, offering immediate views through the home to embrace views of the lush wetlands that surround the property. The clerestory windows that wrap around the top of the main living area peek over the top of the darker form, offering a hint of what’s to come.
Photo by Spacecrafting
Everson chose to work with Kolbe Windows & Doors, and was particularly attracted to the clean lines of the VistaLuxe Collection WD LINE, which features large expanses of glass framed by a durable aluminum exterior and warm timber interior. "The large glass openings with narrow framing give the home a museum quality," explains Everson. "The windows become the artwork and draw you into the dynamic views."
The entry leads to the large great room, which boasts a 15-foot-tall "window wall" that offers panoramic views of the surrounding wetlands and the pool below. "Where the lower level’s views draw you outside to the pool, the main floor is more about the long views," says architect Tommy Everson. "The windows and doors subtly frame views of the landscape and beyond into the wilderness. When the light is just right outside, you can see a reflection of the house mirrored in the pool from the backyard."
Photo by Spacecrafting
See the full story on Dwell.com: A Glass Staircase and Striking Rear Facade Define This Family Home in Minnesota
Related stories:
