The shoreline of Lake Minnetonka is filled with history, diversity, and some of the most exceptional properties in the state. Some would argue that there is no better display of architectural eye-candy in the metro area than along her more than 100 miles of pristine shoreline. Dozens of Minnesota's celebrities and most prominent families have chosen to make Lake Minnetonka their home. Their sprawling lakeside mansions have incredible amenities, including private tennis courts, indoor pools, movie theatres, and "boathouses" that are twice the size of an average house. Nestled among these extravagant and exclusive estates sits the Philip Johnson/ Frank Gehry House, one of the most architecturally significant residential home sites in the state.

History of the Philip Johnson House

An Innovative Design Creates Energy Efficiency and a Canvas for Creativity

In 1953, Richard Davis, former Minneapolis Institute of Arts curator, commissioned Philip Johnson (who later went on to design the IDS Tower) to create a modernistic home overlooking Lake Minnetonka. The end result was an architectural masterpiece that showcases an innovative architect's effort in design, use of materials, and site adaptation. The home is a composition of brick and glass with clean lines and an explicit simplicity that allows for a true appreciation of the spectacular setting and breathtaking lake views. The 10-foot ceilings and big, open spaces provide the perfect backdrop for art and displaying personal collections. The large windows throughout the main level maximize the feeling of openness and light and, together with the indoor atrium, make you feel like you are part of the surrounding nature. Although it was built over fifty years ago, its energy efficiency is remarkable even by today's standards. In the winter, the large windows capture the low sun and warm the marble flooring. In the summer months, when the sun is high, the flooring remains cool and keeps the home comfortable. The Philip Johnson House exemplifies innovation in design and materials use, which is what defines success in modern architecture.

History of the Frank Gehry Guest House

The Early Work of a Legendary Architect

In 1987, the second owners of the Philip Johnson House decided that they needed to add additional square footage. They first contacted Philip Johnson about putting an addition on the home, but he was not interested in the project. While reading an article in the New York Times Magazine they learned about architect Frank Gehry and thought that his style would complement the modernist appeal of their home. Gehry, who had not yet achieved the fame that he has currently, was up for the challenge. He was given a great deal of creative freedom on the project and it proved to be an inspired decision. Instead of adding on to the current home, Gehry designed a modern Guest House to solve the homeowner's need for more space. Like the Johnson House, placement of the structure to capture the views was the first consideration when designing the home. Each window boasts a stunning view of the surrounding natural landscape. All of the rooms on the main level come together in the grand foyer, which has a sky-lit ceiling that is approximately 50 feet tall. The main level has two bedrooms and two baths (one with a miniature sink for young guests), a small kitchen area, and a cozy sunken fireplace nook with built-in seating. Gehry's Guest House, more appropriately described as a sculptural work of art, won House and Garden Magazine's design award for 1987 and set the stage for his future success in modern architecture.

The Philip Johnson/Frank Gehry Home Site 

A Remarkable Collaboration of Innovation and Design

Frank Gehry's respect for Philip Johnson's architecture is evident throughout the interior and exterior of the Guest House he designed. Though innovative and unique in its own right, it is unified with the Johnson House through use of materials. In keeping with Gehry's "deconstructed" architectural style, the Guest House is comprised of five distinct shapes ("modules") that all relate but are not fully connected. Each of the shapes is made from a different material: Kasota limestone from Mankato, charcoal-color painted steel cladding, Finn-Ply plywood, natural finish aluminum, and brick. Gehry's choice of materials illustrates his admiration for Philip Johnson's work. The limestone on the exterior of the Guest House is from the same quarry that was used on the foundation of the Johnson House. The brick exterior and straight lines of the Johnson House are echoed on the southern module of the Guest House. The Philip Johnson House/Frank Gehry homesite is a brilliant example of architectural synergy and compatibility.

The Restoration of the Home Site 

A Designer's Vision

A few years ago, local real estate developer Kirt Woodhouse purchased the site and the two houses. Woodhouse then divided the site into several lots. In 2002, Robert and Carolyn Nelson purchased the Philip Johnson House as their retirement home because of their appreciation of modern architecture and desire to own a home by a well- known modernist architect. In addition, the 10-foot ceilings and skylights made for a perfect setting to display their extensive collection of Pre-Columbian art and artifacts. The Nelsons went right to work restoring the home to its original magnificence with the help of their designer Suzanne Ritus. Ms. Ritus, owner of Suzanne Ritus Industrial Design, had previously designed the Nelson's Florida home.

Ms. Ritus spent a year and a half restoring the Philip Johnson House to its original design and finish materials. She removed the layers of wood, carpet, and Congoleum flooring that had been stacked upon each other in the kitchen and replaced them with travertine stone flooring, the same material used throughout the main level. She renovated the basement to include a wine cellar and added a convenient main level laundry room just off the kitchen. She also enhanced the powder room and kitchen to provide today's amenities while retaining the original "50s feel" of the home. When the renovation was complete, she designed sleek, modern furniture that showcased the homeowner's artifacts while complementing the architect's original design concept.

To supervise the restoration of the Philip Johnson House, Ms. Ritus established a jobsite office in the Gehry Guest House, owned by Kirt Woodhouse. Ms. Ritus soon realized that it too was in need of some restoration. She strongly believed that the Guest House needed to remain at the site (there had been talk of moving it to a public location) as siting is an integral part of most modern buildings and the Guest House was created to complement the Johnson House. Additionally, Ms. Ritus thought that the site could be an "international destination for the study of art, architecture and the interplay of the two" as it is perhaps the only such site where the works of two living architectural giants can be appreciated side by side. Indeed, the architectural significance of the site is undeniable. The Guest House project was a turning point in Gehry's career. According to Ms. Ritus, "Frank Gehry was given an opportunity to be innovative in his own way...it was his opportunity to take his first mature step into the new plateau of innovation of building materials technology in design and construction. The Guest House was Gehry's stepping off place to the innovation in his work that you see today."

The Future of the Homesite

FOMA is Born 

When asked by Frank Gehry how she liked living in the Guest House, Ms. Ritus responded, "It is a delight and an inspiration." Her vision to share that "inspiration" with the public came about in 2003 when she founded The Foundations of Modern Architecture (FOMA). FOMA is a nonprofit organization with a mission to conserve, study and provide public education about the work of internationally- renowned architects, such as Johnson and Gehry. FOMA sites will welcome the general public, students, and professionals to learn from the best of contemporary architects, as well as from their own experience of design innovation and technological achievement. FOMA is currently operating out of the Gehry Guest House. In lieu of rent, FOMA has agreed to rehabilitate portions of the structure. In addition to the rehabilitation work, FOMA plans to offer architecture classes at the Guest House for ages eleven through sixteen. The subject for study will be the co-relation of art, architecture, and physics.

Kirt Woodhouse, a FOMA supporter, recently offered to donate the Gehry House, valued at $4 million dollars, as the first FOMA site. The donation requires that FOMA raise $1.7 million dollars to purchase the land on which the Gehry House is located. FOMA is currently seeking individual contributions and foundation funding for this purpose. The Minnesota Real Estate Foundation, a supporting organization of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, is receiving contributions for FOMA. For more information about FOMA, and making financial contributions to FOMA, please contact Suzanne Ritus at 612.275.4459.

By Angie Goodnature