A Rapson retreat for $1.575 million

Modernist architect Ralph Rapson was reluctant to design a Japanese-inspired home for Markell Brooks in 1960.

"He said it wasn't his style," said David Dayton, who's offering the home for sale.

But, according to Dayton, who met with the acclaimed architect before his death in 2008, Rapson said that Brooks was "persuasive."

Brooks, widow of Minnesota lumberman Edward Brooks, ended up collaborating with Rapson on the midcentury modern glass-walled home that integrates strong Asian elements, including pagoda-style peaks and decorative sliding shoji screens.

The unique structure sits on a hill overlooking Long Lake in Orono. Rapson dubbed the home "Longshadows" because the overhanging roof casts shadows during the day, according to the book "Ralph Rapson: Sixty Years of Modern Design," by Jane King Hession.

Dayton's mother, Mary Haldeman Dayton, bought the home in 1975 after Markell Brooks passed away. She updated the kitchen, enclosed an existing three-season porch and added a heated swimming pool.

Haldeman Dayton left the rest of the home untouched. "She felt it was a treasure to be preserved," her son said. "She thought it was gorgeous the way it was."

• The one-story, 6,119-square-foot home has four bedrooms and six bathrooms.

• The main living spaces, including a sunroom, have lake views.

• The kitchen, which was remodeled in 2000, has cherrywood cabinets, hardwood floors and granite countertops.

• Nearly every room has redwood or cedar built-ins.

• All five fireplaces are wood-burning.

• The atrium floor is made from sections of large trees cleared from the site.

• There's a recreation room with a fireplace in the finished full basement.

• An attached studio apartment with a kitchen, bedroom and bath could serve as guest quarters.

• The home sits on 8 wooded acres with 200 feet of lakeshore.

• The property's extensive gardens include a Zen garden at the entry.

For more information, call Laura Tiffany and Beth Lindahl-Urben, Coldwell Banker Burnet, 612-924-4396. T o have a unique property considered for a Homegazing feature, please send digital photos and a description to lunderwood@startribune.com.