Nestled into a steep hill on an urban-sized lot, N44° 58' 34" is a creative response to a set of unique site conditions. The house is terraced up the hill, providing multiple connections to the large urban lot. This allows the main living spaces to wrap around the greenspace, providing numerous visual and physical relationships to the backyard. With a direct connection to the largest public park in Minneapolis, the backyard transforms seasonally to support the families active, outdoor lifestyle. A grand, central staircase functions as a statement of modern design while windows simultaneously flood all three levels with light. The towering stair is framed by two distinct wings of the home, creating secluded, yet connected moments on each level.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

For a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard. THEME The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course. FOCUS The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities. STORAGE The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps. GROWTH The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years. SAFETY Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course. This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

A neglected commercial building was transformed into a multi-level living space with the street level purposed for entertaining. "Our Special Place" is a creative solution to the need for privacy and desire for beauty in an urban domicile. This design maintains a visual connection to the outdoor environment and urban activity. The design provides a meaningful memory for the residents while providing a vision of nature and beauty for both owners and the public. In harmony with urban life, ever-changing daylight and artificial light bring a dynamic range of character to the design at all times of the day. A twenty-five foot curtain wall divided pedestrian and vehicular traffic physically and visually from the large dining room of a new street level urban home. It was important not to close the residence off from city living, or to loose the daylight filtering through the curtain wall. The primary goal was to provide privacy from the public while still retaining a view of the sky, weather and activity on the street. It was also important to mantain the legibility of the design throughout the day and night. With a close up view from the inside, one can see through tiny untreated areas to see street activity. A close up view looking in from the outside is not possible due to buttresses from the street level. A clean frameless installation with low maintenance was also required.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

This lower level combines several areas into the perfect space to have a party or just hang out. The theater area features a starlight ceiling that even include a comet that passes through every minute. Premium sound and custom seating make it an amazing experience. The sitting area has a brick wall and fireplace that is flanked by built in bookshelves. To the right, is a set of glass doors that open all of the way across. This expands the living area to the outside. Also, with the press of a button, blackout shades on all of the windows... turn day into night. Seating around the bar makes playing a game of pool a real spectator sport... or just a place for some fun. The area also has a large workout room. Perfect for the times that pool isn't enough physical activity for you.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

Large trendy master white tile ceramic tile corner shower photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.

Transparency is realized on multiple levels at the Landes residence, including the physical transparency of large glass openings, fiberglass grated decks that allow light filtration to a daylight basement, interior slatted fence-like wood surfaces, and numerous clerestory windows. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Roger Wade

Transparency is realized on multiple levels at the Landes residence, including the physical transparency of large glass openings, fiberglass grated decks that allow light filtration to a daylight basement, interior slatted fence-like wood surfaces, and numerous clerestory windows. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Roger Wade

After deciding to age-in-place and encountering physical limitations, the clients wanted to create single level living in their Arlington Cape Cod home, where they have lived for 27 years. They wanted an open, light-filled space for themselves and for entertaining, space to put often-used items that had been relegated to the basement and leave the 2nd floor as-is for guests, all while maintaining the integrity of the exterior style and interior character of their 1946 home and neighborhood.