This home, now known as Orchard Creek Overlook, was the second of five approved and built on the 39.5-acre parcel in Orono, Minnesota. John Quinlivan, founder and CEO of Gordon James Construction & Development, worked closely with Tommy Everson of Everson Architect from the earliest conceptual stages through final construction. Completed in 2022, the new home hosts 5,300 square feet of livable space, plus 1,800 square feet for mechanical rooms, a garage, and an athletic court.
Premier Location, Exceptional Views
Everson says, “One of the main drivers for the layout of the house was capitalizing on views of the wetland to the west. The great room was oriented parallel to the wetland in order to maximize glazing on the west façade and provide panoramic vistas. Main level bedrooms were also positioned along the west side of the house so that each could have their own unique view of the wetland. [The clients] really enjoy all of the natural light that they get, even in the lower level, where there is significantly less glazing.”
Elegant Details, Cohesive Alignment
“We are very involved in the design process,” says Quinlivan. “We continue to check in with the client and architect to confirm we’re incorporating everything they want and holding to their priorities.” High-quality, custom-crafted windows and doors to frame the home’s exceptional views were among the client’s priorities.
“Early in design development, we took a visit to the Kolbe Gallery® Twin Cities showroom to look at their offerings, and the clients fell in love with the VistaLuxe WD windows and doors that were on display,” Everson recalls. “They really liked the clean lines, elegant details, and sleek grids, and felt that they couldn’t get the same product from anyone else.”
Kolbe’s VistaLuxe WD LINE features a low-maintenance, extruded aluminum exterior frame with a natural wood interior. An industry-leading frame-to-daylight-opening ratio increases the viewing area. Multiple units can be joined together for an even more expansive experience.
Right Combination – Style and Performance
“Kolbe was just the perfect fit for this project,” reiterates Everson. “Stylistically, the VistaLuxe WD collection gave them the right combination of sophistication and rusticity. Without these products, I do not think the house’s design would have been as successful.”
Along with complying with the development’s architectural standards and attaining the aesthetics desired by his client, Everson selected glass options to optimize performance of the windows and doors. Specifying standard double-pane glass with Low-E coatings throughout the home helps in maintaining comfortable temperatures in both cold winter months and hot summer months. The glass choice also helps mitigate direct UV exposure, minimizing damage to interior furnishings, finishes, artwork, and the piano.
Coordinated Construction, Successful Outcome
“Kolbe’s products are great and the installation went smoothly,” Quinlivan exclaims. Construction began in February 2022 and the homeowners moved in March 2023.
“The clients are thrilled with how the house turned out,” echoes Everson. “They were very happy with their decision to use Kolbe® products. They love how the house feels integrated with its surroundings, both inside and out.”
