This one story flat-roofed box embodies the simplicity, elegance and efficiency of a traditional midcentury home with a modern touch. Completed in 1958 by Ralph Rapson, the Betty Poole House enjoys stunning views of woodlands and lake in Chanhassen, Minnesota while representing the heart and soul of midcentury style.
Commissioned by Betty Poole, an affluent lady with a desire to paint, two crucial features to incorporate included a studio to practice her hobby as well as a garage for parking her white Thunderbird. Interestingly, the original blueprint underwent many changes before this 40 by 60 foot jewel box materialized.
The home is centered around a tree which takes root outside the entrance. The homes living quarters extend to both sides of this point, establishing a sense of symmetry. Inside, however, the spaces are divided into unevenly sized parts.
Openness and flow runs throughout the home’s interiors. Thanks to floor to ceiling windows in almost every room of the house, natural light pours in from all fronts and transparency between indoor and outdoor is constant. The walls of glass and open floor plan allow for views of the surrounding landscape throughout the home.
Crisp white walls and ceiling add to the sense of light, giving even the smaller areas of the home a more open feel. The spaces have been kept open on purpose for the same reason. The living room connects to a more narrow dining area, separated by a piece of wall in the middle. The white brick wall carries a fireplace and even there, glass is used on both sides, creating transparency between the living and dining areas.
The long, narrow kitchen is open from both ends and here too, views of the nature outside can be enjoyed from the sides.
Different flooring has been applied to the different spaces inside; the living rooms grey full carpet changes into the dining rooms large terrazzo tiles, while the kitchen bears smaller grey tiling.
Outside, stone tiles form a deck for outdoor dinners or leisure during the summer time as winters tend to be quite harsh in this neck of the woods.
