Duluth-based architectural practice, Salmela Architect, has designed the Hall House project. The private family home was renovated in 2012 and is located in the seaport city of Duluth, Minnesota, US.
According to the architect: “There is the notion in architecture of building upon the foundations of our predecessors both in theory and practice. As is the case with Hall House which seeks to reinterpret what it means to be modern migrants homesteading in a new city.
“Relocating from Washington, DC to the city of Duluth, MN, the owners purchased a house constructed in the 1880s that was in need of updating and remodeling. With the relative difficulty of constructing on ledge rock, effort was given to utilise several existing elements such as foundations, retaining walls and site stairs (all stained white) and to construct simple masonry piers for the addition.
“By insulating, the basement was transformed to make it an effective occupied space. The new main floor opens onto multiple outdoor spaces that provide a variety of opportunities for the owners to enjoy the light and the beautiful views of Lake Superior. In aggregate the house appears a contradiction; both rooted in stone and floating beyond its past footprint towards the lake.
“The goal of this contemporary American property was to have it serve all the modernist values of openness, light, economy, sustainability and connection to the land. Whereas the former immigrants came and adapted to their new culture carrying with them their own instincts, the Hall House represents the client’s modern thought layered over and respecting the ruins of the past.”
Images courtesy of Paul Crosby
