5964 Hermitage Trail, Minnetrista, MN 55364

FRAMED BY NATURE Framed by Nature is a lakeside retreat that skillfully transforms architectural challenges into design moments of brilliance. Nestled in an extraordinary waterfront location, the home was conceived to be visually captivating from both land and lake, with each elevation treated as a canvas. JAQUE’s vision framed the natural vistas with purpose, ensuring every room captures a unique connection to the water, sky, and surrounding terrain. The design integrates the home with its surroundings, creating an immersive living experience where architecture and nature exist in harmony. One of the most significant design decisions was removing the existing roof and adding a second story to maximize lake views and elevate the home’s architectural presence. This bold move required extensive structural engineering to ensure that the home’s integrity remained intact. The vertical addition created expansive sightlines and a new sense of openness, while the sculptural butterfly roof mirrors the gentle waves of the lake, adding both rhythm and elegance to the home’s overall design. This reimagining of the home’s vertical space also adhered to strict height restrictions, contributing both to the aesthetic and practical needs of the family. A floating staircase, inspired by a magazine tear-out, became a centerpiece of the home. This intricate design element required extensive engineering and structural planning to achieve its gravity-defying elegance. The staircase marries technical complexity with aesthetic beauty, drawing the eye upwards and seamlessly connecting the main floor to the second story, becoming a stunning visual focal point. The site’s natural slope and exposure posed challenges that demanded creativity. JAQUE’s design solution was to incorporate long, layered rooflines that mirror the topography, creating structural rhythm and visual harmony. This approach also allowed the home to interact with its environment, ensuring that every room benefits from the stunning vistas that surround it. Material selection was rooted in intention. JAQUE used warm woods, dynamic stones, and reflective glass to create an organic palette that resonates with the surrounding landscape. Expansive Loewen window systems and glass railings dissolve the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors, ensuring that the home remains connected to the natural beauty around it. Floating decks add to this seamless transition, establishing a continuous dialogue with nature. BOTTOM LINE: Framed by Nature is a home that honors its environment, embraces innovation, and tells a story of design rooted in place and purpose. Designed by JAQUE, it transcends mere function, providing both serenity and surprise. Through thoughtful materiality, geometry, and the play of light and shadow, this home stands as a testament to the seamless integration of architectural brilliance and the natural world. Every space invites connection, reflection, and joy—grounded in nature, elevated by design.