Prunty Modern Farmhouse

Dent, MN, United States

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Prunty Modern Farmhouse

Dent, MN, United States

Firm

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2009

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

BUDGET

$1M - 5M

Modern FarmhouseNestled within 160 acres in northern Minnesota, this project was commissioned by the clients as their dream home for retirement. Both growing up in farm/country settings, they requested a two level home that spoke to this vernacular. It needed to adequately serve not only them, but expand for larger family gatherings. Considering the client's recent MS diagnosis, the house also needed to be ADA compliant & accommodate potential future wheelchair access. An elevator is housed w/in the gleaming grain silo and there are also no thresholds through-out. The remaining, relatively straight-forward program was enhanced by the owner's forward-thinking in terms of energy efficiency.The residence boasts near self sufficiency via several interconnecting solutions. A large wind turbine, erected as a pre-project to the house, as well as a geo-thermal system are in place. Passive cooling & heating play a role as well. With the rear two-thirds of the house shifted to face due south, it collects maximum fall/winter/spring sun & allows the stained concrete floors to hold that energy as a 2 level thermal mass. The house can also open on the east & west, which creates a long breezeway in the warmer months. The remaining front one-third of the home stays on the orthogonal grid, aligning with the existing farm buildings. The clients were also very interested in utilizing eco-friendly processes & materials.(bamboo cabinetry & recycled resin panels) Local woods & stone were used as well; seen in the knotty pine ceilings & stacked stone wall. The later acts as a spine through the center of the home. It erodes as it moves to the rear, providing for closets, built-ins, a stairway, counters, fireplaces, & finally an outdoor grill. The building itself also works w/ the gradual sloping site, thus providing the clients w/ a walk-out basement to round out their wish-list for this contemporary barn house.