Shelter Architecture
shelterarchitecture.com
Greg Elsner, AIA; Beth Halstenson, AIA; John Barbour, FAIA; David Jensen, Assoc. AIA; Kersten Sinclair; Jackie Colpaert; Lisa Antenucci
West Lake Residence
Project Type: New Build
Sponsors: Sustainable 9 (builder)
After years of Chicago condo living, the 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.
They envisioned a modern, retreat-like home that reconnected them with their Minnesota roots. The architects 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. 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 creates 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.”
AIA Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Energy & Well-being
This home is certified by three energy benchmarking accreditation organizations for its energy performance and sustainability. The home includes all-electric energy generation, an energy recovery ventilator, and geothermal heating and cooling; is solar-ready; and utilizes triple-pane windows and a compact building form to improve energy efficiency.
Design for Well-being is embodied in abundant access to natural light and a design that provides connection to nature. A calming, nature-inspired interior palette reflects and illuminates natural daylight throughout the spaces. Dedicated spaces for relaxation and refuge are separated from workspaces to allow for privacy and personal restoration, and low-VOC and no-VOC paints are used throughout the home to promote the health of the occupants.
What is the AIA Framework for Design Excellence? Learn more »