4800 Folwell Drive

Few houses that sit on a corner lot seem to take advantage of their particular situation. This house by Thorshov & Thorson in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis on the other hand manages a number of clever feats at once. No matter the time of day one side folds forward to embrace the sun while the other creates a niche of cool shade. Also, instead of just looking across the street like most houses the angle at which it is set on the lot allows the big windows in the front a full view of the trees that line the West River Road’s boulevard strip at the end of the block. There are several nice touches too – like the benches that surround the patio off the side door and the opposing angles of the chimney caps. There are also two interesting houses next door including one designed by Ralph Rapson.