Salmela Architect

Yingst Retreat

Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby

YINGST RETREAT

Salmela Architect

AREA
4000.0 ft²

YEAR
2008

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Houses

Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby

Text description provided by architect.

The retreat rests on a quiet 16 acre site amongst a tall, dense beech forest that descends to lakeshore.

Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Peter Kerze

The orientation of the building magnifies this slope and places equal value on views to the trees and the water.

Entering the site you are met by four separate black-clad structures which separates the prosaic functions of a garage.

Yingst Retreat
© Peter Kerze
Yingst Retreat
© Undine Prohl

Beyond stands the house with white masonry bookend facades and sidewalls of exposed wood columns mirroring the forest parallel.

The repetition of the glulam columns entices you along a colonnade to the front entry.

Yingst Retreat
© Peter Kerze
Yingst Retreat
© Undine Prohl

Contrary to the predominately black exterior, you enter at a midlevel to a lighter wood-lined hall.

Morning and evening light fill the space and the rhythmic wood structure provides an open plan with telescoping spaces flowing into and overlooking each other.

Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Peter Kerze
Yingst Retreat
© Peter Kerze

Given the clients are avid chefs the bright red kitchen is the central communal area.

Dividing the kitchen from the above living area is a white-painted masonry fireplace which makes a connection to the outdoor chimney standing sentinel on the West patio, further diminishing the line between inside and outside.

Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Undine Prohl

The sleeping area recedes past the living room with additional rooms located in the above mezzanine.

Despite its openness, the retreat retains an intimate feel, a mystery, stimulating the imagination in both intellectual and emotional ways.

Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby


Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby
Yingst Retreat
© Undine Prohl
Yingst Retreat
© Paul Crosby


Yingst Retreat
Site Plan
Yingst Retreat
Floor Plans


Yingst Retreat
Axonometric

Salmela Architect
T +1 218 7247517
Salmela Architect
630 W 4th St, Duluth, MN 55806, United States