Project: B+W House
Architects: Julie Snow Architects
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Area: 2,400 sq ft
Photographs by: Dean Kaufman
The B+W House in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a contemporary residence designed by Julie Snow Architects that fits very well within the scale of the neighborhood.
The exterior design of this home is conceived of a ground level enclosed in concrete and a timber-clad upper level revolving around a beautifully landscaped garden. The concrete shell of the B+W House ensures privacy while still allowing light some access which is usually the challenge with concrete homes.
The design of this small residence on a corner lot in the City of Minneapolis was conceived as a progression of defined volumes: beginning with the public front yard, continuing with the two-story portion of the home, following with the tall volume of the living area, the enclosed garden and the garage.
A concrete wall encloses the perimeter of the private spaces at grade. The wall provides a cast-in-place concrete finish both inside and out, with a 4” core of insulation. This wall type is commonly used to create cast-in-place foundations but is rarely used as a finished wall system. Large openings of glass are proportioned with asymmetric sliding glass. Narrow panels of blue tinted glass emphasize the composition. Brazilian walnut at the upper floor contrasts with the concrete. Walnut floors and cabinets provide warmth throughout the interior. Despite the weight and texture of the concrete, the living space is light and vibrant.
The couple, both employed in the non-profit sector, wanted a simple, inexpensive residence: one as open and airy as their former loft, but providing the use of private outdoor spaces.
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