Cypress & Bluestone
Christopher Strom Architects · Minneapolis, MN
Overview
After outgrowing their existing home, a father/daughter duo imagined a right-sized modern home in the city that reflected their personalities and was as warm and charming as their old bungalow. The key to Cypress & Bluestone — named for the materials that welcome friends and family in from the elements at the entrance—is balance. Modern and warm, light and privacy, muted spaces and colorful rooms, a perfect mix of both father and daughter.
A father/daughter duo wanted a modern, properly scaled, efficient home on a challenging, steeply sloping urban lot. They sought a warm modern aesthetic, support space for all their outdoor activities, and a balance of natural light and privacy. To limit the scale of the home, the upper level is tucked behind the one-and-a-half-story living space. Hiding the upper level from the street aligns the home with the heights of the neighboring houses. To accomplish the “warm modern” aesthetic, the Architects designed a modern, flat-roofed form clad in warm, natural, sustainable materials. Bluestone brick is the showcase material of the home and gives warmth to the modern form. For the large overhang above the front porch, cypress was chosen for its warm tone and natural texture. The interior living spaces are topped with clerestory windows, with strategically placed glass dropping down to the floor. The stair hall doubles as a light well, bringing natural light to both levels and supporting cross-ventilation without sacrificing privacy. The home includes a cross-country ski wax room, a sauna, rowing scull storage, a secure bike room, and an exercise room. The large front porch echoes the ubiquitous porches of the historic homes in Minneapolis, opens opportunities for connection with neighbors, and minimizes the prominence of the tuck-under garage by extending out eight feet. A continuous layer of mineral wool insulation forms a “sweater” around the home’s exterior. This type of insulation significantly improves the energy efficiency compared to traditional insulation, and creates a quieter home by reducing external noise from the street and overhead flight paths.
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