Uptown Penthouse / ALTUS Architecture + Design

© Dana Wheelock

Architects: ALTUS Architecture + Design
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Contractor: Streeter & Associates
Project Area: 2,500 sq ft
Project Year: 2008
Photographs: Dana Wheelock & ALTUS Architecture + Design

This sixth floor penthouse overlooks the Minneapolis lakes, Uptown area and downtown beyond. Designed for a young professional, the space is organized through distinguishing the private and public realms through sculptural spatial gestures. A curved white marble dust plaster wall that pulls one into the space delineates the private master suite. The master bedroom space is screened from the entry by a translucent glass wall overlaid with a perforated veil creating optical dynamics. This functions to privatize the master suite, while still allowing light to filter through the space to the entry. Suspended cabinet elements of Australian Walnut opposite the curved white wall and Walnut floors draw one into the living room and kitchen spaces.

© Dana Wheelock

Stair Study 01

A custom perforated stainless steel shroud surrounds a spiral stair that leads to a roof deck and garden space above, creating a daylit lantern within the center of the space. The concept for the stair began with the metaphor of water as a connection to the Chain of Lakes. An image of water was abstracted to a series of pixels that were translated into a series of varying perforations, creating a dynamic pattern. This abstracted imagery was then laser cut into the stainless panels that wrap the perforated steel stair. The result creates a sensory exciting path of movement and light, allowing the user to move up and down through dramatic shadow patterns that change with the position of the sun, transforming the light within the space.

© Dana Wheelock

floor plan

The kitchen is composed of Cherry and translucent glass cabinets with stainless steel shelves and countertops creating a progressive, modern backdrop to the interior edge of the living space. The powder room draws light through translucent glass, nestled behind the kitchen. Lines of light within, and suspended from the ceiling extend through the space toward the glass perimeter, defining a graphic counterpoint to the natural light.

© Dana Wheelock

Within the master suite a freestanding Burlington stone bathroom mass creates solidity and privacy while separating the bedroom area from the bath and dressing spaces.

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