home
One look at nowhaus 01 and it’s apparent that this isn’t architecture-as-usual. From the striking façade with its translucent, billboard-backed siding and hidden entry to the interesting path and steps, this house makes a powerful first impression.
Inside, the home is filled with unique features and details that give it intrigue and character. Throughout the house, work by local artists shows how this modern loft environment is the perfect backdrop for an eclectic art collection.
At LOCUS, we take a hands on approach to building. In nowhaus 01, we fabricated our own concrete countertops and the copper shower surround. We designed and built the steel catwalk and the sculptural hanging stairway. Given the choice, we prefer handmade to off-the-shelf every time.
The translucent polycarbonate sheathing that is such an integral feature of this home (inside + out) functions on many levels. It was chosen for its passive solar heating qualities, translucency, and color characteristics. It allows light to transform the space during day and night—from the outside and from within—and to signal activity. The way it’s installed, with an inch and a half of airspace behind, eliminates trapped moisture—a primary cause of siding failure. Like most materials we use, it’s practical and expressive at the same time.
In this house, as in all our projects, aesthetics come first. We view architecture as art. And we feel that beauty alone is sustainable.
| nowhaus thanks: Shaw Design Associates for landscape architecture + landscaping services + Hanson Nobles Wunderlich for Home Tour furnishings + accessories + all the artists who lent their work to this project |
| call us at 612.706.5600 | email us @ locus-mpls(at)locusarchitecture(dot)com | LOCUS Architecture |