This Glass Cabin Appears Barely There on the Shores of Lake Minnetonka

Mandi Keighran
·2 min read

Charlie & Co. Design has crafted a stunning glass, steel, and timber home that seamlessly blends the inner and outer worlds.

The clients—a family of five with three children in college—wanted to create an
The clients—a family of five with three children in college—wanted to create an

Glass is one of the most important tools an architect has to work with—inviting outside views into the interior, making weighty forms appear to float weightlessly within the landscape, and creating clean, contemporary architectural lines. When a family of five, with three children in college, approached architecture firm Charlie & Co. Design to build a new home on the shore of Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka, it was these qualities they wanted to evoke.

Glazing on both sides of the home and an open floor plan allows for beautiful water and forest views throughout the living space.
Glazing on both sides of the home and an open floor plan allows for beautiful water and forest views throughout the living space.

"We wanted to blur the lines of interior and exterior space, both literally and metaphorically," says architect Charlie Simmons, founder of Charlie & Co. Design. "When sitting in the interior, you feel at one with nature and your surroundings regardless of the season."

The home is crafted from glass, timber, and steel—a simple yet refined palette that complements the spectacular natural setting. The deck is surrounded by lush planting that further integrates the built form into the landscape and offers a green outlook from inside, while a
The home is crafted from glass, timber, and steel—a simple yet refined palette that complements the spectacular natural setting. The deck is surrounded by lush planting that further integrates the built form into the landscape and offers a green outlook from inside, while a

To realize this vision, Simmons reached out to Marvin to supply the eye-opening expanses of glass. It was a collaboration that seemed destined to happen—not only is Marvin an industry leading supplier in windows and doors, but Simmons specifies the brand in around 80% of the homes he designs. "We start every project assuming we will incorporate Marvin products into our design," he explains. 

The extensive use of glass allows the residents to enjoy changing views throughout the year. In the warmer months, the 60-foot sliding glass panels of the Marvin Modern Multi-Slide Door allow for an almost covered porch feel. In cooler months, when the doors are closed, the view remains unobstructed.
The extensive use of glass allows the residents to enjoy changing views throughout the year. In the warmer months, the 60-foot sliding glass panels of the Marvin Modern Multi-Slide Door allow for an almost covered porch feel. In cooler months, when the doors are closed, the view remains unobstructed.

See the full story on Dwell.com: This Glass Cabin Appears Barely There on the Shores of Lake Minnetonka
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