Set high above the St. Croix River, the home begins with a descent—once a simple ride down the bluff to three rustic cabins tucked quietly beneath the trees. For a Minnesota couple, discovering the property felt like stumbling upon a hidden paradise. While regulations protected the existing cabins, they learned a new home could be built at the top of the bluff. Hartman Homes and U+B Architecture were brought on to develop their vision. The resulting home nestles gently into its prairie setting, surrounded by native wildflowers and old-growth trees. A glass entryway connects the two wings of the home, seamlessly blending the home's interior with the surrounding prairie exterior. To one side, the main living areas open to a screened porch that overlooks the river and surrounding woodland. Light pours in through expansive windows and carefully placed skylights that offer consistent visual connections to the outdoors. A piano niche is framed by a steel surround two-sided fireplace. Sunlight pours into the kitchen through skylights on the cathedral-vaulted ceiling. White oak beams add warmth and dimension to the space. The Fireclay Tile backsplash, adorned with a braided picket pattern, offers a striking visual element against the more neutral finishes. The kitchen island is topped with end-grain butcher block countertops, combining functionality with texture. Opposite the living spaces, a private bedroom suite faces the open prairie. The bath is finished with hand-cut Moroccan Zellige tile, lending texture and craftsmanship to the interior. Below, the lower level includes additional bedrooms, a media area, an exercise room, and space specially curated to display the couple’s art collection. The original cabins remain down the bluff, updated with subtle improvements that respect their original integrity. Together, the new home and the preserved cabins create a quiet dialogue between old and new—functional, site-driven, and rooted in the prairie.