The strongest residential architecture begins with the land. Set within the rolling countryside of Grant Township, Minnesota, this private residence embraces the quiet beauty of its rural setting through a composition that is both restrained and deeply connected to place. Surrounded by horse farms, orchards, vineyards, and open prairie, the home demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can become an extension of the landscape rather than an object placed upon it.

Located just outside the Twin Cities, the residence offers a retreat where simplicity, craftsmanship, and nature shape the experience of everyday living.

A Simple Rural Form

The architecture is intentionally uncomplicated. Two gabled volumes are arranged in an L-shaped composition, creating a sheltered outdoor courtyard that becomes an extension of the home's living spaces. This simple organizational strategy establishes a clear relationship between interior and exterior while framing views across the surrounding countryside.

A cast-in-place concrete wall and foundation anchor the buildings to the site, reinforcing a strong connection to the earth while defining the edge between architecture and landscape. Together, the forms recall the familiar language of agricultural buildings found throughout rural Minnesota, reinterpreted through a contemporary architectural lens.

Rather than competing with the landscape, the home quietly belongs within it.

Material Honesty

The residence is defined by a restrained palette of authentic materials that celebrate texture, craftsmanship, and longevity. Charred wood cladding gives the exterior a rich, dark character that changes subtly with shifting light and weather while allowing the building to recede into its natural surroundings.

Inside, plywood, blackened steel, and exposed concrete create warm yet understated interiors where material expression becomes the architecture. Every finish was selected for its durability, honesty, and ability to age gracefully over time.

The result is a home where the beauty of the materials emerges through simplicity rather than ornament.

Craft as Architecture

Structural expression plays an important role in shaping the character of the home. Built-up timber roof framing, assembled from smaller wood members with exposed bolted connections, recalls the straightforward construction methods of traditional agricultural buildings while celebrating the precision of contemporary craftsmanship.

These structural elements remain visible throughout the interior, reinforcing the relationship between construction, material, and architectural form.

Every detail contributes to an environment where craftsmanship is experienced rather than concealed.

Comfort Through Simplicity

The home's minimal aesthetic is balanced by a strong focus on comfort and performance. Polished concrete floors provide durability while serving as a thermal mass for an integrated radiant floor heating system, creating consistent comfort throughout Minnesota's changing seasons.

Large openings frame carefully composed views of the surrounding landscape while introducing natural daylight deep into the living spaces. This close relationship between architecture and nature allows the changing seasons to become an integral part of daily life.

The home demonstrates that simplicity does not require sacrifice—carefully considered design can create spaces that are both refined and deeply comfortable.

A Contemporary Agrarian Retreat

The Grant Township Residence reflects Clow Berg's belief that architecture should emerge from its context. Through simple forms, authentic materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship, the home reinterprets the character of Minnesota's rural landscape without relying on nostalgia or imitation.

The result is a contemporary residence that celebrates the enduring relationship between architecture, land, and the experience of home.

Planning Principles

• Architecture of Restraint – Create lasting beauty through simplicity, proportion, and thoughtful detail.

• Rooted in Place – Draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape and rural building traditions.

• Honest Materials – Express architecture through natural materials that weather gracefully and reveal their character over time.

• Indoor-Outdoor Living – Shape buildings to create meaningful connections between interior spaces and the landscape.

• Craftsmanship Revealed – Celebrate structure and construction as an integral part of the architectural experience.

• Comfort Through Performance – Integrate passive design strategies and efficient building systems to enhance everyday living.

• Timeless Residential Design – Create homes that feel enduring, authentic, and inseparable from their setting.