A summer cottage that perfectly encapsulates the lake tradition, this new house has the look and feel of a 1910 cottage, fitting in unobtrusively with its neighbors on Crane Island. We employed the scale, proportion, details, and materials of buildings of that early era as precedent in our design. An expansive screened porch adds to the leisure feeling of “cottage.”

Modern conveniences blend seamlessly with the design of the building. For example, the television in the living room hides behind a panel, operated by an historic window sash pulley and weight system.

For years, Crane Island on Lake Minnetonka has been the summer destination for city dwellers, moving to its cooler lake communities. Desiring a return to this lifestyle, our clients now spend long summer weekends on the island.

The island is small—only about 20 cottages—most of which were built at the beginning of the last century. Being there affords an extraordinary moment of pure timelessness.

This project was awarded Best Traditional New Construction in the 2016 Juried Marvin Architects Challenge. The same year it also won a 2nd Place AIA RAVE Award for New Construction of 2,000-3,500 sf as well as being an AIA MN Star Tribune Home of the Month.