When a couple from Wisconsin began to look for a second home where they would eventually retire, they envisioned a contemporary farmhouse nestled into the landscape. “They wanted to explore the concept of primal structures—such as agrarian outbuildings, old European farmhouses, and cottages in England’s Cotswolds—which have an iconic sensibility about them,” says architect Matthew Erickson of TEA2 Architects. “At the same time, they wanted the home to feel modern and not like a timepiece.”

The couple had worked with TEA2 Architects 21 years previously, when designing their small cottage in the city. Their new home is less than two hours away, on a farm near Lake Pepin that they have restored to serve as a pollinator habitat and meadow supporting around a million bees.

While overseeing the construction of their new home, the couple stayed in a 120-year-old cabin on the farm. “The project took seven years to develop,” says Erickson. “This long time period required balancing original concepts with new thinking, while keeping everything cohesive.”

The resulting home is a collection of simple gabled forms, which sit along the horizon suggesting a collection of agrarian structures woven together with a low, contemporary flat-roofed structure. When deciding on the home’s siting, it was important to create a dramatic entry experience as a reward for the long drive from the city.

“The house is approached by a long ascent through thick tree cover that wraps around the hill counterclockwise, and reveals only glimpses of the hilltop and home,” says Erickson. “As you exit the trees on the backside of the hill, long views of the landscape are intentionally obscured until the final climb, by foot, to the entry.”

A framed view to the west offers a welcoming introduction to the home and hints at the way it interacts with the landscape. From the entry, the home is split into two wings—the main residence to the left, and a small guest wing to the right with its own kitchen, bathroom, and upstairs bunk room.

The main rooms are aligned along the ridge of the hill, and they offer views south to the river valley and north to the tree line. The architects strengthened the home’s relationship with the site by including doors that open to the outside in each of the main rooms, and a series of deeply recessed skylights in the living room that allow natural light to flood the interior.

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The open-plan living room and kitchen also enjoy plentiful natural light from the south and sunset views across the rolling hills. These common areas are separated from the owners’ private spaces by a multipurpose pantry/workroom/laundry area that also offers views to both the north and south. The master bedroom, which is illuminated by morning sun, is located at the end of a long hall and up a few steps that subtly suggest it’s a more private area.

One of the most important aspects of the home is the way it receives light throughout the day. “The master bedroom enjoys sunrise at the east end of the house, while the living room enjoys sunset to the west,” says Erickson. “Trellises create dappled light that follows you from one end of the house to the other along the southern edges of all the main rooms.”

Like the home’s form, the material palette was inspired by traditional agrarian buildings. The local rustic stone and shingles are reminiscent of old English farmhouses, as is the simple interior palette of wood, subtly textured plaster, and handmade metal accents. The exterior stucco was chosen for its longevity and crisp contrast to the green landscape.

The new farmhouse was built on a very tight budget. “This meant that every concept, idea, and opportunity was scrutinized against the requirement and then honed to its essence in order to be included,” says Erickson. “Both clients are talented craftspeople, and a limited design construction budget required stretching resources to achieve their goal.”

For example, TEA2 Architects suggested a subtle plaster technique that simulates the look of hand plastering—and the clients executed it themselves. The clients also built much of the furniture—including the dining room table and chairs, the workroom table, the master bathtub surround, the living room tables, and the entryway bench—from trees felled on the property and dried in the barn.

This commitment to handcrafted details is found throughout the home—the clients even commissioned a local metalsmith to fabricate the interior door and cabinet hardware. “A limited palette and restrained decor allowed each object, mostly simple and quiet in design, to stand on its own,” says Erickson. “The custom metal shelving, door, and cabinet hardware, and towel hangers all carry a specific design language throughout the home.”

The home represents a complete change of lifestyle for the clients, as it has encouraged them to spend more time at the farm, away from the city. “They are delighted with the way the house takes advantage of the views and lets the sun wrap around the structure and penetrate deeply inside,” says Erickson. “We believe this home represents the personalities of the owners—and it is an environment where they can play, create, and graciously host family and friends.”

Related Reading:

20 Modern American Farmhouses That Update Tradition

A Light-Filled Modern Farmhouse Is Built For $240K

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: TEA2 Architects / @tea2architects

Builder: Über Built

Structural Engineer: Bunkers & Associates

Landscape Design: TEA2 Architects

Interior Design: TEA2 Architects and homeowner

Cabinetry Design: TEA2 Architects

Cabinetry Fabrication: Peter Marroquin

Welding: Curly’s Welding

Photography: Gaffer Photography