Architecture Direct

Offering Professional Architectural Design Services

Featuring 3D Virtual Reality 'We design with clients, not for them'

Gary Turpening Architect

Serving Minnesota and Wisconsin phone (612) 327-6725

CABINS and that cabin feel in a home -hover over image

NORTH WOODS DESIGN

- This preliminary design, created in 3D Virtual Reality, features two bedrooms on the main level, a two story Great Room, and Porches for outdoor living.
- A garage is built halfway up the drive so as to be out of view from the house.
- Grand Marais MN

CUSTOM STAIR RAIL

- Cabins with unique details are visited more often. We work with our clients to make each cabin reflect the individual style of its owner.
- Grand Marais MN

SCREENED PORCH ELEVATION

- This project was designed in 3D Virtual Reality, which allows elevations to show up with the materials rendered.
- Grand Marais MN

FULL CABIN KITCHEN

- This Kitchen is 'activity central' in this cabin for an active multi-generational family.
- Notice the high ceiling and superb view of the woods and sky.
- Outing MN

- Interiors: Sherrie Consoer CID

CLEAR VIEW TO LAKE

- This view shows the Living Room with a view to the lake without a deck or rail blocking the view.
- The door to the left opens to the Porch, which has screened and open portions.
- Outing MN

- Interiors: Sherrie Consoer CID

MORNING TERRACE

- This Terrace is on the East Side of the house and is usually used in the morning as a sunny place to meet and have coffee.
- Lakeville MN

HOUSE IN COUNTRY SETTING

- This large home has doors to terraces and porches in every direction--just start walking in any direction and you end up outdoors.
- This is a great house for raising children.
- See plan under New Houses.
- Rural Lakeville/Farmington MN

DOOR TO YARD AND TRAIL

- This house features many doors to the outside.
- Notice the wood beams and deck ceiling.
- The floor was custom ship-lapped Oak with Butternut pegs and trim.
- Rural Lakeville/Farmington MN

EVENING TERRACE DOWNTOWN

- This West-facing Terrace was built with thick granite stones.
- The fence is placed high enough for some privacy, but low enough that the owner can greet neighbors walking on the sidewalk.
- Lakeville MN

FAMILY ROOM OVERLOOKING LAKE

- This 1950's house had a room in this location which had to be demolished because of faulty construction.
- We carefully researched different woods for the ceiling, and chose White Heart Maple.
- The wood trims are Ash, but were painted white late in the project. This created more visual contact with the lake below.
- Sunfish Lake MN

TREE HOUSE ROOM

- This addition was literally squeezed in between the trees. Even the posts were placed as far from tree trunks as possible, and hand dug.
- The detailing is Japanese-influenced, with a wood deck ceiling and beams with concealed joinery.
- Minnetonka MN

BACK YARD LIVING SPACE

- See this house under Terraces.

FAMILY ROOM OVERLOOKING LAKE

- This 1950's house had a room in this location which had to be demolished because of faulty construction. - We carefully researched different woods for the ceiling, and chose White Heart Maple. - The wood trims are Ash, but were painted white late in the project. This created more visual contact with the lake below. - Sunfish Lake MN