The project assignment was to analyze the structure of a building built after 1950. My partner, Tori Wiegand, and I choose to study the Diem - Balbach Residence. The home is an urban infill project designed by Christian Dean, located in Edina, Minnesota. The building was demolished and redeveloped to help restore the White Oaks neighborhood into a more flourishing community.

The modern home was built “just big enough” to fulfill the needs of the homeowners, fit within the budget, and counteract with the site’s poor soil. The home is built with a slab-on-grade foundation with an added foundation piling system to support the home against the local ground conditions. The basement and first level walls are “T” Mass poured in place concrete. The third level is conventional light wood framing. The floors and roof are made from conventional wood trusses to reduce waste and allow for increased accessibility for plumbing, heating conducts, and electrical conducts.

The home is worthy of study for its ability to fulfill the multiple programs of the project. The use of the cantilever ‘bays’, wire partition wall, and large windows helped open up the small floor plan and allow for the flow of light. The cantilever ‘bays’ also added square footage to the home at a low cost.