In Northeast Rochester, Brian and Gabrielle Hess, along with their teenage son, have made their home in a remarkable midcentury residence designed by renowned architect John Polivka. Since acquiring the property in 2007, the family has approached its care with deep reverence and purposeful intention, masterfully balancing historical preservation with thoughtful modernization. Every enhancement they've undertaken, from meticulously refinishing original woodwork to incorporating subtle functional improvements, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to honoring Polivka's visionary integration of architecture with the natural environment.
Built in 1967, this extraordinary home was crafted in the prairie-style tradition by architect John Polivka, a devoted disciple of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The residence embodies a profound unity with nature, exemplified most dramatically by a birch tree that grows directly through one of the home's cantilevered sections. Polivka, who also designed the original highway cloverleaf and worked for General Electric, created only two other prairie-style homes in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, making this Rochester residence exceptionally rare.
The Hess family describes their home's interior in three evocative words: organic, natural, and artistic. The property's lot was specifically selected by Polivka for the original owners, Dr. Maurice Martin and his family, with careful consideration given to the natural landscape and environmental conditions. True to Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural philosophy, the home's front facade appears intentionally understated, featuring a partially concealed entryway that creates an element of mystery and discovery for visitors.
The northwest carport exemplifies Wright's practical design philosophy, engineered specifically to prevent snow accumulation—a simple yet ingenious reflection of Wright's belief system that rejected conventional garages and attics. This attention to regional weather patterns demonstrates how the architect thoughtfully adapted universal design principles to local environmental conditions.
The family has worked diligently to preserve and highlight numerous original architectural elements throughout the home. Magnificent wooden beams extending the full length of the upper level were sourced from a farm in Iowa, while local materials including limestone and aromatic cedar were incorporated throughout the structure. The limestone fireplaces stand as particularly noteworthy features, with the upstairs fireplace having been specially modified at the request of the original owner, Mrs. Ada Martin, so that the stones would protrude rather than sit flush with the wall surface.
This distinctive design modification has evolved into one of the home's most beloved characteristics, creating natural ledges that add both visual warmth and tactile texture to the living space. The master suite maintains its original grass cloth wallpaper, custom cabinetry featuring authentic Japanese hardware, and a sunken Japanese-style bathtub surrounded by intricate small tiles and thoughtfully designed recessed spaces for plants.
The home's layout showcases remarkable attention to both form and function, with open-concept living and dining areas that prove ideal for entertaining guests. Adjacent to the living room fireplace sits the music room, which still houses a fully functional Fischer radio and turntable system with large speakers that can broadcast music throughout the living room, basement family room, and game room, creating a seamless audio environment throughout the home's social spaces.
The outdoor approach to the residence reflects Wright's sophisticated understanding of spatial psychology and human experience. The walkway leading to the front entrance follows a winding, lush path lined with original ferns dating back to the home's 1967 construction, complemented by a limestone retaining wall softly illuminated by carefully placed indirect lighting. This entrance sequence embodies Wright's celebrated concept of contraction and expansion, where psychological tension builds during the narrow, mysterious approach, then releases dramatically as visitors step inside and the space opens up expansively.
Nearly an entire wall of south-facing windows floods the main living space with abundant natural light while creating a seamless visual and psychological connection to the surrounding grove of mature trees. This design choice eliminates the traditional barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing residents to feel constantly connected to the natural world.
Several unique architectural features distinguish this home from conventional residential design. Floating stairs leading to the basement level bear a striking resemblance to those featured in the iconic Brady Bunch television home. In the lower level, a large copper hood positioned above the limestone fireplace has developed a beautiful natural patina over the decades, adding character and visual interest to the space.
Built-in seating throughout the home serves dual purposes, providing comfortable gathering spaces while concealing storage compartments beneath the cushions. A vintage Herman Miller light fixture hangs elegantly over the game table near a well-appointed wet bar, while the northwest corner houses a large storage room that the family affectionately refers to as "the bomb shelter," reflecting the era's cultural influences.
Since moving into the home, the Hess family has undertaken several carefully considered updates that respect the original architectural vision. Their most cherished modification involved transforming the galley-style kitchen with a custom backsplash featuring reproductions of Monet's famous water lily paintings. They sourced these special tiles from a Colorado company and framed them with complementary ocean-blue border tiles purchased from a local Rochester shop, creating a artistic focal point that harmonizes with the home's natural aesthetic.
Personal touches throughout the residence help create a sense of completion and lived-in warmth while maintaining architectural integrity. Authentic Frank Lloyd Wright floor lamps, Taliesin-style stained glass panels, and carefully selected Oriental and Persian rugs add layers of visual warmth and design continuity throughout the various living spaces. African slate flooring and other natural textures tie directly back to Polivka's original vision for creating a timeless, nature-inspired residential environment.
One of the home's most delightful surprises is a hidden door concealed within the library. Behind this secret entrance lies a large storage room that becomes nearly soundproof when properly closed. Strategic window placement offers intriguing sightlines through to the dining room, while another window provides a clear view extending all the way to the carport, creating unexpected visual connections throughout the home.
The family's favorite aspect of living in this architectural treasure is the magnificent southern exposure and the profound sensation of being completely surrounded by nature. The rear of the home features an almost complete wall of south-facing windows, while a large wooden deck wraps from the back of the house around to the west side, creating seamless integration with the surrounding grove of mature trees.
Wildlife sightings occur regularly on the property, creating the distinct feeling of living in pristine countryside. Yet when autumn arrives and the leaves fall, a spectacular urban vista emerges, reminding residents of their connection to the broader Rochester community. This duality—feeling removed from urban life while remaining connected to it—exemplifies the sophisticated balance that makes this midcentury masterpiece so remarkable.
The result of the Hess family's dedicated stewardship is a home that continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary living needs while remaining absolutely faithful to its original setting, architectural spirit, and environmental integration. Their approach serves as a model for how historic architecture can be preserved and celebrated for future generations.
