Sidecar

Custom Home, New Build | Minneapolis, MN

For an Architect, it is a joy to revisit a prior project. We were able to do just that with Sidecar. Originally, we designed the home as a spec home for a developer (“Phase 1”). Years later, the owners – whom we had never actually met – reached out about building an addition (“Phase 2”). This was an opportunity to refine our original design and customize the spec home to our client’s taste.

Sloped Site

Sidecar sits on a difficult site that slopes down-and-away from the street. Due to the Minneapolis Zoning Code, this downward-sloping site creates tight height restrictions. To keep the overall height down, we designed a ground floor which is stepped 2 feet down from the front porch and front entry. This creates a sunken living room that looks up onto the front porch, creating a feeling of refuge. Strategically placed trees next to the sidewalk provide privacy for the south-facing living space.

Instead of being seen as a detriment, the sloping site became a point of departure for a unique ground-floor relationship to the street.

Right-Sized Scale

Our clients were drawn to the home because of its urban location and efficient plan. In a world of sprawling suburban developments, Sidecar’s “right-sized” scale won their hearts.

The main level is open and efficient. The dining table is wide open to the kitchen and living room, yet grounded in place by a coffered ceiling pattern. The kitchen is a simple “L” that incorporates a corner window for panoramic views across neighboring backyards. The kitchen tile provides a splash of rich blue saturation to an otherwise muted palette. Views from the front to the back of the house are maintained through an open-tread stair to the second floor. 

Phase 2: The “Mini-Me”

We were elated when the home buyers reached out to us, soon after the purchase of the spec home. While they loved the open floor plan, one thing was missing: a private workspace. We had the opportunity to revisit our own project and tailor it to our clients' specific needs.

The strength of the original design was its narrow profile. When the clients asked for a Phase 2, “side-mounted” addition, we did not want to undermine the original proportions.  A “mini-me” concept was utilized to link a smaller version of Phase 1 to the original design.  While Phase 1 is primarily white, Phase 2 is dark gray to give dialog and counterpoint to the original structure. The glass link space provides a brief transition when walking between spaces, separated by a sliding barn door. Phase 2 turns the home's footprint into an “L” and creates an outdoor courtyard with space for a bright, blue-tiled pizza oven.

Project Collaborators include Choice Wood (Phase 1), W.B. Builders (Phase 2), Iron Horse Landscape, and Safe Haven Structural Engineering. Photography by Alyssa Lee.