The B + W House, designed by internationally known and acclaimed architect Julie Snow, is the home of the Walker Art Center's Design Director and Curator Andrew Blauvelt and his partner Scott Winter, the Walker's Director of the Annual Fund.

When we first began to explore our role in the B + W House, construction was only about half done. The clients jokingly referred to the structure as their little concrete box ...and at that point, that was a somewhat accurate description as the shell really did boast some connections to the concrete installations of artist Donald Judd (and in some ways, still does). As construction continued and summer shadows fell across its walls, a gentle, almost warm precision began to emerge from that little box.

It was B + W House's warm sensibility, the tempered geometry of concrete, steel and shadow, that we tried to follow with our work. We aimed to be as subtle as possible in our movements, while still addressing privacy concerns and satisfying the clients' desire to add a touch of height to the facade. Thus we chose a very small plant palette and simple, rusted steel borders to complement the warmth of the rich ipe hardwood siding and the cool, firm concrete. Minimizing materials allowed us to stay clear with our gestures and, we hope, honor the the quiet precision of B + W House.

By achieving our clients' functional requirements through clean, aesthetic clarity, we believe we crafted a program that quietly coalesces with the home, while at the same time managing to stay out of its way.

We can't wait to continue summer construction on the Blauvelt + Winter House.