Frisbee Architects

Challenging sites and circumstances call for creative measures. This site, near River Falls Wisconsin, is a rural home built on the side of a large hill — a “drumlin” — a glacial deposit, many of which dot the region.

Frisbee Architects came to us with a project relating to renovation and expansion of a residence. The owners wanted to reclaim some of the hillside, turning it into usable yard for their family, tying in with a new porch and deck expansion.

Carving into a large, steep hillside creates a need for retaining, and sometimes retaining on a grand scale. The owners wanted to use a material that was massive enough to do the job, also a material in keeping with the surroundings, a native stone from the area. The area is populated with many natural limestone deposits and outcroppings, even a few quarries. The stone for this job was quarried at Rivard Stone, not far to the north, in the same St. Croix river valley.

On such a large hillside issues of scale need to be addressed. Using a larger number of smaller stone would be an option. Not a good option, however. Large problems call for large solutions. Access and feasibility also need to be considered. Large equipment is required to move and reach in large spaces. Obviously not all contractors are equipped to deal with these kinds of issues. We are.

The homeowners also wanted a water feature to be part of the package, as well as steps leading up to an elevated terrace where people could gather around a small fire. Oh, and how about a stone bridge across the stream/waterfall? How about some steps leading to the new deck, cantilevered over the new stone walls?

In all, a challenging but exciting job, the results of which are impressive: a total of about 120 tons of limestone, from the sawn steps to the rough blocks and outcroppings which comprise the walls. 120 tons of limestone placed one at a time, each with great care and an eye toward a goal and purpose nicely fulfilled.