Test your design IQ

Who is the 20th century American architect known for his many homes with Northern European and Early American themes — mostly cabins — in Minnesota?

He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Oct. 13, 1886, where he had his early education. He continued his high school in Salem, North Dakota, and in 1904 came to Saint Paul Minnesota where he entered the firm of Gilbert and Holyoke as an unpaid apprentice.

After Gilbert moved to New York in 1906, he remained under Thomas Holyoke’s employ until 1911, when he joined the

office staff of Emmanuel Masqueray as a draftsman. While working for Masqueray, he attended his employer’s atelier and was active in the Gargoyle Club, a local training and social organization of architects.

Following Masqueray’s death in 1917, he formed a partnership with Fred Slifer and Frank Abramson, two other draftsmen in the firm, to close out the unfinished commissions then in the office. When these were completed in 1919, the partnership was dissolved and he opened his own office, specializing in prestigious residences for many of the city’s wealthy citizens.

Throughout his 50-year career, he designed more than 300 projects, predominantly residences many utilizing either Northern European or early American themes. His architectural designs, along with the Prairie School Inventions of Purchell and Elslie and the Modernist themes of Ralph Rapson are collectively considered the best works of Minnesota architects in the twentieth century.

What set him apart from his colleagues was his devotion to

detail and love of fine craftsmanship. He loved to use heavy,

visible timbers in his designs of country houses and cabins.

His works show a lot of warm, earthy colors, custom made

hardware, and rustic fireplaces and chimneys.

Many of his homes can be found in the Lusten resort on Lake Superior, as well as in Crocus Hill in Saint Paul. The home he designed in Linwood Avenue features all the architectural details of a bygone era — seven bedrooms, gracious room sizes, a grand entry hall, and an original library with built in shelves.

His works are also part of a popular historical cabin tour where four of his North Shore cabins are open for guided tours. Among these is the Olson Cabin, a 1946 timber framed cabin overlooking Lake Superior. It boasts of his carbed pillars and wood rails, alpine style balconies and other finely crafted details.

After he passed away in 1972, he was long overlooked as architects moved away from picturesque themes in favor of modernism. He is today enjoying a resurgence of attention concurrent with revived interest in post-modernism, regionalism, and sense of place.

Last week’s question: Which memorial was built to honor the 16th president of the United States of America? Answer: Lincoln Memorial Winner: Louella Miranda de Jesus of Cubao, QC

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