2020 Home of the Month Look Book

PHOTOS: ALYSSA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
¡Caliente!
How does
an urban,
growing family
add new living
space without
detracting from
the original
architecture?
Project type:
New Construction
The Howe Neighborhood of Minneapolis
was platted in 1907, leading
to the construction of modest and
charming bungalows. Now reaching
100 years old, these homes are showing their age beyond just typical wear; the floor plan layouts—many discrete small rooms —are difficult
to modify and expand without negatively impacting the bungalow scale
and character.
Pregnant with their first child and both parents working part-time from
home, they knew they needed more space. But they also loved the existing
character of the neighborhood and valued “blending in” even though
they loved bright colors and unique spaces.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) was designed as a continuation of
their living space, separate but within forty feet of the house. By day,
one parent can work; by night, both parents can enjoy a board game or
movie night while the child sleeps in the primary dwelling, assisted by
a baby monitor.
The property, being mid-block, does not give up many views of the ADU
from the street. Only immediate neighbors (left, right, and alley) know
of the hidden red gem in
the backyard.
The Ground Level includes a two-car garage, utilities, and an interior stair to the space above.
The Living Level includes a small kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. The design is a
traditional story-and-a-half cottage with about 600 square feet per floor. Dormers animate
the sloping roofs and allow for passive solar heat and light through south-facing windows and
skylights. A heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) maintains fresh air throughout the living space.
The color palette was less modest: Benjamin Moore “Wasabi” and “Salsa” colors were
chosen for the interior spaces, complementing a natural pine tongue-and-groove
wood ceiling vault. The exterior choice was bold as well: Benjamin Moore “Caliente” red.
Approachable, aspirational-yet-attainable, ADU’s speak confidently as a housing option for
growing cities like Minneapolis. ADU’s embrace the concept of
urban infill harmonizing with existing neighborhood character,
and allow for evolving demographics including aging-in-place,
working from home, and multi-generational living.
Christopher Strom Architects
www.christopherstrom.com • (612) 961-9093
Design team: Chris Strom, AIA; Theodore Grothe, AIA
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