Designed by Strand Design, this modern ranch house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, occupies a hillside location beside a densely wooded park. During summer, the trees create a secluded, retreat-like atmosphere, while the arrival of winter reveals views toward the Minneapolis downtown skyline and makes the home’s proximity to the city much more apparent.
A palette of steel, cedar, concrete and limestone
Material is one of the defining features of the house, with Corten steel wall panels, natural cedar, ground and polished concrete, and Kasota limestone appearing throughout the design. The same materials move from outside to inside, giving the house a sense of consistency as you walk through it.
Limestone makes an entrance
Inside, the exterior material palette continues into the entryway. A floating bench is attached to a limestone wall, turning a practical feature into a simple architectural detail and giving visitors an immediate introduction to the materials used throughout the house.
The approach is repeated in the living room, where the same limestone forms the fireplace surround. Wood-framed windows bring natural light deep into the space, while also opening views toward the surrounding landscape.
A pool at the center of outdoor living
Just beyond the living room, the house opens onto an outdoor area with a 10-metre swimming pool, deck and cabana. The cabana includes an outdoor kitchen and dining area, extending the home’s entertaining spaces beyond its interior walls.
Back toward the house, the cantilevered roof plane stretches over the living spaces. Its broad projection helps shield the interiors from the summer sun, while the south-facing windows bring the pool and landscape into views from inside.
A kitchen of wood, white and black
Back indoors, the kitchen introduces a more refined combination of materials, pairing wood and white cabinetry and counters with black elements. The mix gives the kitchen a contemporary appearance while maintaining the warmer material language found throughout the rest of the house.
Just to the right, a dining booth adds a playful moment. Lime green and patterned banquette seating brings color and pattern into the otherwise restrained palette, creating a more informal spot for eating and gathering.
A dining room wrapped in wood
On the other side of the kitchen, close to the front door, the dining room continues the home’s use of timber. Wood cabinetry lines the space and relates to the wood ceiling and dining table, creating a cohesive setting for larger meals and entertaining.
The cabinetry also serves another purpose. It partially conceals the staircase leading down to the basement, allowing the transition between levels to remain visually understated.
Down to the wine cellar
Below the main level, the basement opens into a storage area and wine cellar. The concealed stair connection means these functional spaces are tucked behind the dining room cabinetry without interrupting the main living areas upstairs.
An office overlooking the park
Back upstairs, a home office provides enough space for two people to work side by side. Large windows bring views of the surrounding parkland into the room, making the landscape visible from another part of the house.
A bedroom framed by windows
In the bedroom, large windows become the main visual feature. Their substantial wood frames stand out against the mostly white room, adding warmth while breaking up the pale surfaces.
A warm, simple master bathroom
The master bathroom takes a more restrained approach, with a dark wood-framed mirror positioned above a vanity with dual sinks and a stone counter. The combination of timber and stone brings some of the home’s larger material themes into a smaller space.
Brass details in the powder room
In the powder room, small details make a difference. Brass accents introduce a touch of warmth, while a tall mirror helps make the compact room feel brighter and more open.
From the limestone entry and wood-lined dining room to the pool, cabana and cantilevered roof, the design of this home creates a series of spaces that move naturally between private rooms, entertaining areas and the landscape beyond. The result is a modern ranch house that feels closely tied to both the wooded park beside it and the city just beyond.