MP3 | Mineral Point, Wisconsin, USA | 2019

Architects: Brininstool + Lynch
Client: Withheld
Contractor: N/A
Renderings: Courtesy of the Architects

MP3 is an acronym for Mineral Point three. Mineral Point is a small town and rural farming area in southwest Wisconsin. The first settlement of the area was in 1827 when Cornish miners came to work the abundant lead and zinc deposits, subsequently populating the area by the mid-nineteenth century.

They built their homes by digging into the hillsides for warmth and protection against the extreme winter weather. Because of this, the state received its nickname, “The Badger State.” The topography of the area is rich in agricultural fields, rolling hills, streams, and outcroppings of rock formations. The over 160-acre site is beautiful and remote.

It consists of old growth oaks, an apple and cherry orchard, and a trout stream. Our original work included the master planning of the property with a landscape architect to void the land of invasive species, replace fallow fields with native plantings, and articulate walking paths throughout the property.

A second phase provided an evaluation of the existing farm buildings for renovation, civil work, and the siting on the property for a new house. 

Finally, the third phase was to design this weekend home for the couple and their small family.

The client had no interest in building a large rural estate, rather, the brief was to have a place of simple repose to enjoy and experience the land in all seasons—a quiet alternative from the urban stimulation of their work week.

The form echoes agrarian structures in the area, such as agricultural out-buildings and corn cribs—the weathered grey wood siding has been replaced by long, thin brick masonry with shades of gray on the exterior, and red and brown on the interior.

The entry sequence begins from below, where a “tunnel” is formed by cutting into the land with Corten steel sheets. This “tunnel” extends through to the other side of the house where it then evolves into a bridge over a large ravine and into an adjacent field. The pipe that supports this bridge span also carries the utilities into the house.

The “tunnel” divides the mechanical, utility, and storage on the north side from a mudroom entry hall behind floor-to-ceiling glazing on the south. Behind this, the sleeping rooms are built into the ground with interiors wrapped in wood and floor-to-ceiling glazing, protected on the exterior by vertical strips of Corten steel.

An open riser stair begins at the mudroom hall and ends at the main living floor where there is an open plan, only eighteen feet at its greatest width.  The main living area is defined by extremely high ceilings topped by a skylight system and a fire pit centered on the interior.

Two parallel openings on both sides, which are forty feet long and ten feet high with retractable sliding glass panels and screens, aesthetically evoke barn door openings while providing viewing portals over the property. The slate floor continues to the exterior terraces to emphasize the indoor/outdoor relationship.

Any additive volumes and areas within the exposed brick interior volume, such as the stairway enclosure, the kitchen, and the “secret” play loft above the kitchen are wrapped in an end-grain birch plywood that is micro-perforated for acoustical benefits. The kitchen island contains a pull-out dining table top for dinners of eight.

A modified version of a silo ladder accesses the “secret” play loft before continuing to the roof for observation and maintenance.

The house will use very little energy. Water is provided by a well, waste is handled by a septic system, and electrical energy is provided by wind power.

The thermal mass of the house, along with passive solar and radiant heating and cooling from a field based geo-thermal system, provide all heating and cooling. 

Natural ventilation is provided by large, operable glazed openings.