Parallel to Minnehaha Creek, the Orono house is sited in a wooded creek setting and a dramatic wetland landscape—a beautiful, untouched but nearly unbuildable site, constrained by difficult setbacks, a steep slope, and a high water table.
Expansive glazing, a rooftop terrace, and a series of transitional spaces strengthen the connection to the landscape, while deep overhangs extend the structure outward—providing shelter, shade, and extending the living spaces into the surrounding prairie. Material craft, orientation, and daylighting are central to the project’s approach– alongside simple construction practices, careful site restoration, and sustainable native plantings.