Grayspace Architecture
grayspacearchitecture.com

Carl Gauley, AIA

Beyond Function

This project is part of our Small Projects Showcase, which demonstrates the value an architect brings to residential projects sized 600 square feet or smaller.

Project Type: Addition

Project Square Footage: 594 square feet | addition focusing on age-in-place

Tucked behind a 1939 Edina home, this quietly bold addition reimagines aging in place as an opportunity for thoughtful, design-forward living. Created for longtime homeowners with a deep appreciation for modern art and architecture, the modest addition brings the primary bedroom suite, home office, and laundry to the main floor—pushing beyond function to craft a space rooted in individuality and intention.

Working within strict building limitations, the efficient, compact plan maximizes usable space without overwhelming the site. Clad in corrugated metal and topped with a standing seam metal roof, the addition introduces an unapologetically modern tone—an intentional contrast to the neighborhood's traditional character.

Warm wood ceilings, exposed rafters, built-in millwork, and colorful glazed tile add texture and depth to a curated interior. Large windows and skylights frame mature heritage trees and fill the home with natural light. Accessible features—including wider doors, a curb-less shower, grab bars, and non-slip tile—support lifelong comfort without sacrificing style. A new backyard patio extends living outdoors, connecting the interior to shade-filled landscapingand dappled southern light.

The result is a calm, light-filled retreat that reflects the owners' eclectic sensibility—and their desire to remain rooted in the home and community they've cherished for nearly 40 years.

AIA Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Well-being

This home features many design features that emphasize Design for Well-being. This modest addition enables the retired homeowners to stay in their home as long as possible by relocating their primary bedroom suite, home office, and laundry to the main level. Thoughtful age-in-place design solutions, such as wider doorways and a curb-less shower, accommodate mobility limitations. Additional safety measures, including grab bars, non-slip tile flooring, and well-placed lighting, help reduce the risk of falls and support independence over time.

The homeowners have lived in their 86-year-old home for nearly 40 years. By choosing to expand rather than relocate or rebuild, they preserved the home's character and remain active in the neighborhood they love. This decision also prevented likely demolition, helping to retain an essential part of the neighborhood's character.

The expansive bedroom windows and French doors open onto a new outdoor patio and built-in window planter, reconnecting the home with the spacious backyard filled with shade-friendly landscaping and significant heritage elm, pine, and spruce trees.

Strategically placed windows and skylights fill the interior with natural light. The large south-facing windows, offering generous backyard views, are shaded by the 70-foot-tall heritage trees in the summer and capture solar warmth inthe winter—enhancing energy performance throughout the seasons. Radiant heat beneath solid wood flooring delivers consistent, gentle warmth during the coldest months. Operable windows and French doors provide fresh air and natural ventilation in warmer months, allowing for individual occupant control and a healthier indoor environment.

What is the AIA Framework for Design Excellence? Learn more »