The term “multigenerational living” often conjures images of simple floor plan alterations. However, true multigenerational life requires more than just extra bedrooms. It demands a design where spaces coexist yet offer independence, a sort of architectural harmony. In Minnesota, CityDeskStudio‘s Ben Awes crafted such a paradigm with Crescendo—a home that uses light, geometry, and a dedicated piano room to forge a unified yet flexible living space.
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Located on a narrow creekside lot in the Twin Cities, Crescendo reflects both memory and modernity. A woman returned to her childhood land, not for its 1950s house, but for its essence—the creek, the trees, the nostalgia. Awes’ design encapsulates these memories while addressing the needs of present life.
A Design in Architectural Symphony
Designed for aging in place, Crescendo offers a single-level home for the couple, with a separate apartment for the wife’s sister. The 4,200-square-foot layout features a shared entry that ingeniously splits into two stairways—one for the sister and another for the couple. This design ensures privacy without isolation, providing each resident a unique space within a cohesive home, a melodious composition.
Architectural Elegance with Purpose
At the heart of Crescendo’s design is an architectural element inspired by the husband’s admiration for Louis Kahn. The rooflines ascend gradually, each segment higher than the last, creating a harmonious blend of structures. This progressive elevation inspired the home’s name; much like a musical crescendo, the house gracefully unfolds as you move through it.
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Windows as a Shared Experience
Collaborating with Marvin, Awes created custom, trapezoidal clerestory windows. These precisely designed windows serve as a literal sundial, marking the passage of time and bathing the interior with light and color—a shared experience for three generations under one roof, a unique design feature in itself.
The Soul of the Home
An heirloom grand piano holds a dedicated, light-filled space, emphasizing the importance of honoring family treasures. Crescendo’s true success lies not in functional practicality alone; it offers a spatial understanding rooted in the personal needs of those who dwell within, contributing to a well-orchestrated blend of form and function.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the design concept of Crescendo?
Crescendo is designed for multigenerational living, emphasizing architectural harmony where spaces coexist yet offer independence. It features a shared entry that splits into two stairways, ensuring privacy without isolation.
How does Crescendo incorporate the concept of a musical crescendo?
The rooflines of Crescendo ascend gradually, with each segment higher than the last, creating a harmonious blend of structures. This progressive elevation inspired the home’s name, drawing a parallel to a musical crescendo.
What unique window design is featured in Crescendo?
Crescendo features custom trapezoidal clerestory windows, designed in collaboration with Marvin. These windows function as a literal sundial, marking the passage of time and filling the interior with light and color.