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It’s their H initial, of course. But that’s not why architect David O’Brien Wagner chose it. The H shape makes the most of the Horsches’ special lot - a wedge-shaped slice of land overlooking Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. click here, click here

Each wing of the “Lake>City>House” is one room wide, offering panoramic views of the lake and its bustling parkway. Connecting the two wings is “the bridge,” a glassy, light-drenched center structure that contains the entry, dining room and central walkway. click here, click here

The Horsches’ distinctive dwelling is a stark contrast to the mostly traditional older homes around it. click here, click here

“In the summer time, the porch is wonderful!” Mary enthused. “We have more interaction with neighbors.” click here, click here

The Horsches’ deep attachment to their neighborhood is what led them to the home in the first place. click here, click here

The house needed some updating, so the Horsches consulted with Wagner, whose work they had admired. But the soil conditions of the site and the rambler’s inadequate foundation made remodeling impractical. “It was cost-prohibitive,” Wagner said. “We moved on and started fresh,” tearing down the old house to make way for a new one. click here, click here

“We didn’t want a great room; we wanted a separate living and dining room,” Mary said. “I love having large family gatherings, and I like the dining table to be in a separate room. I don’t want the mess of cooking in the same room.” click here, click here

When Wagner proposed the wedged-apart floor plan with the connecting bridge, the Horsches were all in. “We liked it immediately,” Mary said. click here, click here