Fruehling Residence

The spatial nature of the Iowa farmhouse typology is directly linked with its occupation of the farm grounds and specific relations ship to the farm court. In the case of the Fruehling farmhouse, the existing home constructed in 1880, the broad side of the building faced north and south with the front porch opening out on to access drive. The original home was a series of compartmentalized rooms with wood shed/kitchen adjoining the west end of the house proper. The new layout sought to remove barriers between various rooms (kitchen, Dining and living room), reconfigure the east end to accommodate a new gallery, guest half-bath, master bedroom, master bath, closets and washer/dryer room. Additionally, the new configuration included the reconstruction of a rear entry/basement stair addition, expand/enhance the porch, add a patio with fire-pit and grill on north side and add a bath/shower area on the second level. The new kitchen and basement access were design as spatial extensions of the original home interior. The rear access addition is constructed of concrete masonry units and custom concrete masonry scuppers. This addition leads from the new kitchen to the basement and farm court. An addition to the west end, articulated in hardwood from Brazilian rainforests (IPE) on the exterior, accommodates the new kitchen. The dining room and living room now occupy the existing house between gallery and kitchen. The remodeled porch consists of a new deck and screened in surround. A new series of attenuated frames with screens has been added between the existing porch columns. This series of four frames provide a view of the farm court and lake beyond as well as operate to chromatically adjust the value of the ultraviolet sun light entering the living room area in the late afternoon in such a way as to provide more comfortable spectrum of light within the home. Photographer: Cameron Campbell