Another Case of Less Is More: Reducing Square Footage For A Larger House

SALA Architect Eric Odor

Mark and Mary came to me a few years back after visiting one of my houses on the AIA-Minnesota Homes by Architects Tour. They had recently purchased a split-level tract home that was built in the 1990’s in Northeast Minneapolis on a tract of land that was originally slated for a freeway off ramp. The home had a tortured plan made all the more difficult by an angled switchback stair that was turned 45% right at the split, which essentially made every room a frontage road around the stair. Even though it was only twenty years old the home was also terribly dark and dated. Mark and Mary knew that they were going to remodel it, they just weren’t sure how.

SALA Architect Eric Odor

Their original idea included an addition to the south because with it’s collection of dark rooms the house seemed far too small for their needs, and they wanted at least one bright, sunny living space. I proposed that instead of adding square footage that we take some away to make the house live bigger and brighter. They humored me until I built a little model showing how we could tear down walls, add windows, and remove a 10’ x 16’ section of the upper floor at the split. This gave us a two story space that allowed all spaces to flow freely from one to the other around the central shaft of bathrooms. The idea came from the Edward Larrabee Barnes portion of the Walker Art Center where galleries spiral around the central circulation tower.

SALA Architect Eric Odor

But here in Northeast Minneapolis we were creating galleries for living. The remodeled house ended up with less square footage, but all the spaces are filled with light and live much larger than they are. Truly another case of LESS IS MORE.

SALA Architect Eric Odor

SALA Architect Eric Odor

SALA Architect Eric Odor

Eric has another project  (Home #7) on this year's AIA Minnesota Homes By Architects Tour! The tour takes place on September 20 & 21 from 10am to 5pm. Hope to see you there!

SALA Architect Eric OdorEric Odor has decades of experience using unique yet beautiful materials like his Gnarly & NE project. For some more commentary on his designs, take a look at some of Eric's past posts! For more of his work, visit his profile page!