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Swedish Classic

Photo by Alex Steinberg

This magnificent pool house on Lake Minnetonka complements the formal design of the main house, while assuming an intimate spirit. Architect Todd Hansen, now a principal of Albertsson Hansen Architecture in Minneapolis, was at another Minneapolis architecture firm, TEA2, more than 10 years ago when this project was completed. Working with Marcia Morine, principal designer at Morine Design Associates, and landscape designer, Tom Oslund, principal of Oslund and Associates, both in Minneapolis, Hansen drew inspiration from a classical Swedish lusthus, or “garden pavilion,” which is still used in Europe to host traditional teas.

The homeowners wanted the pool house to be beautiful—it’s the primary view from the main house—and to provide a place for grandchildren to change in and out of swimming suits. They also wanted an intimate place to drink and dine with friends and family in the romance of shimmering candlelight.

Mission accomplished: Two dressing rooms with showers flank the center space, giving the pool house utility. The collaboration of homeowner, designer, and architect created a truly magical spot to spend an evening with friends.
 

1 Classical Form

Looking suspiciously like an eighteenth-century French orangerie, this project was completed in 1998. It demonstrates that classical forms, executed at classical scale, are never dated. The current trend to “over-adapt” classical forms and motifs, super-sizing them (think Michael Graves), can quickly date a building. A point to keep in mind when designing or remodeling your own home!
 

2 Details

Hansen and Morine took their cues from classical Swedish furniture to design the sideboard. Although the piece looks like a traditional working cabinet, tucked ingeniously inside are warming drawers, refrigerator, dishwasher, cook top, and laundry shoot for dirty linens. A basement beneath this space is set up like the Starship Enterprise, with a full catering kitchen, pool mechanicals, and sound system. Discreet windows in the changing rooms easily adapt to the needs of caterers, and even the all-American grill is out of sight.
 

3 Inspiration

While discussing the interior of the pavilion with Morine, the client pulled out a pair of candlesticks by Danish artist Björn Wiinblad. “This is the feeling I want,” she told Morine. The homeowners contacted the artist to design a hand-painted frieze in classic Scandinavian blue and white—a family story in visual form. Morine complemented the art with blue and white fabrics, blue-painted furniture, and simple iron candelabras and fixtures. Still more proof that you can’t go wrong with the classics.

Alecia Stevens is a Minneapolis writer and interior designer.

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