2020 Home of the Month Look Book

2020
Look
Book
Featuring custom residential
design projects from the region’s
most talented architects
PHOTO: PAUL CROSBY

Home of the Month Look Book
Find Inspiration on Every Page
PHOTO: COREY GAFFER
AIA Minnesota is pleased to present
a look book featuring architect-designed
homes throughout the Midwest
region and showcasing the innovation
and skill of Minnesota architects. The
projects on the following pages were
each submitted for the 2020 Home
of the Month program, a collaboration
between AIA Minnesota and the
Star Tribune that highlights a different
architect-designed home each month
in the Sunday Homes & Gardens
section.
Among the pool of 38 projects submitted this year, a panel of peers selected twelve that best represent the pinnacle
of architect-client collaboration and demonstrate the innovation, problem-solving and creative design skills that
architects bring to a project. These distinguished projects are identified with a corner ribbon icon. Watch for the projects
to be featured in a multi-page article over the next twelve months in the Star Tribune, both in print and online.
Among the cabins and lake homes, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and renovations, we hope you’ll find inspiration
for ways to make your own living spaces more comfortable, efficient and beautiful. Contact information for the firm
that designed each project appears at the bottom of the page, so you can easily get in touch with the architect when
you see something you like. Enjoy the beauty found in the following pages, and let inspiration find you.
About Star Tribune
About AIA Minnesota
Star Tribune is Minnesota’s #1 local source for
news, information and community events. Since
its first day as the Minneapolis Tribune in 1867, Star
Tribune has grown to become much more than just
a newspaper.
Today, Star Tribune is Minnesota’s most-trusted
source for news and information reaching more
Minnesotans than any other local media brand.
Throughout its 150-year history, Star Tribune’s
focus has remained the same: delivering more of
what matters to Minnesota. All day. Every day.
The American Institute of Architects Minnesota,
founded in 1892, is the professional association
for architects in the state of Minnesota. As a state
component of AIA National, with three local chapters,
AIA Minnesota has nearly 2,300 members
and a staff of nine professionals.
AIA Minnesota provides services to all chapters,
produces a regional convention, publishes the
award-winning magazine Architecture MN, lobbies
on behalf of the profession at the state legislature,
and delivers continuing education to all members.

Projects By Architecture Firm
Use the table of contents below to browse projects by the firm that designed them. Page
numbers in bold indicate that the project has been selected as a Home of the Month feature
for 2020-2021.
Firm Name
Page(s)
Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 23, 30, 37
Carlsen & Frank Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 36
Christian Dean Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 43
Christopher Strom Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
CityDeskStudio, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 41
Imprint Architecture and Design, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
K | NELSON ARCHITECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Kell.Architect(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 31
Mitlyng Design, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
NewStudio Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Peterssen/Keller Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 32, 49
PLAAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rehkamp Larson Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 14, 20, 25, 34, 38,
42, 48
SALA Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 35, 39, 46
Swan Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
TEA2 Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 15, 40
5

Waterfront Stone
and Glass
PHOTOS: LAKELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Project type: New Construction
Retreat as Home | This Northern Minnesota home is located on a large recreational lake. The owners–lifelong residents of the area–are
going to use it as a permanent home but wanted the tranquility of a lakeside retreat. Modern and Traditional | The house has familiar
traditional forms with the gable typology and character but is distinctly modern in its execution of materiality and its planning. Solidity and
lightness | Limestone gable ends wrap the corners, creating extra thick walls and a sense of permanence to the home. In contrast, large
spans of glass and infill wood siding create openness and lightness. This allows the home to feel very substantial but also very connected
to the outside and infuses the interiors with natural light throughout the day.
Order for tranquility | The house is carefully planned for focal points, framed views and circulation axes. This creates a sense of tranquility
when in the home. It is balanced without being stagnantly symmetrical. A “quiet” material palette | The house has a restrained
palette used consistently inside and out of Minnesota Limestone, slate roof, wood, unfinished plaster and glass. In addition, the materials
used are simply rendered and subtly detailed. This restrained and visually calming approach reinforces the quiet quality to the home.
Form and edges to create light and view | The house is an attenuated, stretched-out form with multiple room projections into the landscape.
This creates many edges to connect indoors and outdoors, creates dynamic interior rooms as well as provides great daylight. The
lake is to the north, so the home is designed to be narrow at the living spaces to allow in southern light as well as light and views for two or
more sides for the key rooms.
House form to create outdoor rooms | The attenuated form that reaches out into the landscape is also used to create large and small
outdoor rooms. An entry courtyard is created by the garage “wing” which screens the neighbor to the west. That wing, with the paired gable
and intimate wood and glass expression,
creates the more intimate entry court. The
paired gables and walled terrace create the
lakeside living room and the walled terrace
extending the house form at the end creates
a room that enjoys lake view, front yard and
south light. Minnesota granite pavers further
define the courtyard entry experience and
implied exterior rooms.
TEA2 Architects
www.tea2architects.com • (612) 929-2800
Design team: Leffert Tigelaar, AIA; Charlie Witzke; Tyler Nelson
6

Tile House
Despite receiving advice
from realtors that the ‘dirt
is more valuable than a
redeveloped structure,’
Project type: Remodel
the owners of this 1955 South Minneapolis
‘rambler’ were determined
to revitalize their home and make
it more sustainable for the future.
Terracotta tiles were used as the
exterior siding—an unusual choice for
residential construction, but one with
roots in traditional terra cotta tile roofing.
High quality design and materials
such as this were a project goal, as
was making the small home live large.
PHOTOS: CHAD HOLDER
The design respected the existing footprint, but added space and stature to
the home by expanding upwards to add a light-filled master suite. The main
level spaces were re-planned and updated, including a custom kitchen and
decorative screen walls inspired by their love of mid-century design.
Christian Dean Architecture
www.deanarch.com • (612) 886-2814
Design team: Christian Dean, AIA; Jessica Harner, AIA; Nathan VanWylen, AIA
7

Rural Retreat
PHOTOS: SCOTT AMUNDSON
Project type: New Construction
Nestled in southwestern Wisconsin’s unique Driftless Area of
sweeping farmland and river valley, this rustic retreat is a true
getaway from the city. Materials are durable, raw, and authentic:
Corten steel wrapped around the base of the house will change to
a rusty patina as it weathers, its metal roof draws inspiration from
local barns, and the exterior siding is reclaimed Ipe wood from an old
highway sound barrier in Chicago. Salvaged siding is carried through
to the interior and mixes with locally-milled Douglas fir, darkened
steel, and concrete tile floors to create a modern, refined space with
a utilitarian aesthetic.
The main level’s open floor plan flows outside, with great views from
the porches and access to all sides of the site—perfect for weekend
gatherings. A workshop tailored toward the homeowner’s passion for
biking and Nordic skiing is equipped with an overhead glass door for
great natural light and an easy in-and-out.
Personal elements are thoughtfully incorporated throughout the
house: a much-loved road bike as art above the main stair; a side
pantry for organic cooking, places for books; and firewood storage
for the living room’s wood burning stove. This is a house meant to
settle into the landscape for generations.
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Mark Larson, AIA; Ryan Bicek, AIA; Laurel Johnston, AIA
8

PHOTOS: PAUL CROSBY
Rapson Revival
Project type: Remodel
This remodel gives new life to a Rapson home design,
allowing for a modern day lifestyle for its current owners
within much of the original architect’s footprint. And,
there is a deep connection to this project that goes
back to 1977 for the project’s architect, Charles Stinson,
adding a unique twist to the story of this home.
Ralph Rapson, the home’s original architect, was an
architectural hero and thesis advisor to Stinson. In 1977,
when Rapson was advising Stinson as a student he was
also designing this home for local artist, Gloria Tew, and
her husband. Fast forward to 2019 and we find the house
under ownership of a young professional couple wishing for some changes to the home to better accommodate their lifestyle. Having
grown up in a home designed by Stinson, the new owner found it quite natural to seek his help with the redo.
Adding to the ‘family’ feel of the project was the fact that Stinson’s son, a local builder, was chosen by the couple for
construction. Architect, client, and builder alike approached the project and design with the utmost respect for Rapson’s
work. The envelope of the building was mostly unchanged, preserving Rapson’s original design intent. Remodel efforts
focused instead on expanding interior living spaces of the home while still retaining the spirit of the earlier design.
The home was opened up to accommodate a modern lifestyle with increased flow within and out of the home. A three season porch
in the rear of the home was converted into conditioned spaces to provide a more spacious kitchen connecting to an informal dining
area and living room. The original central glass atrium was preserved, but kitchen island upgrades and the addition of a metal tambour
door to conceal an in-kitchen bar made the kitchen space more efficient for its new residents. Extra windows were also incorporated
to bring in light from multiple directions, enhancing the work of the original round skylights seen throughout the home. Additionally,
the home now opens from the great room living spaces to a new, generous outdoor living area overlooking the woods.
Like the original owner of the home, the current owners are both artists and needed a gallery space and studio.
Stinson moved and aligned interior spaces to create a new version of the artist’s workroom. The couple can now
enjoy and utilize Rapson’s initial light-scooping gallery and its skylight as it brings illumination into the heart of
this historically significant, stunning revival.
Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design
www.charlesrstinson.com • (952) 473-9503
Design team: Charles R. Stinson, AIA; Chuck Thiss; Kim Streeter
10

PHOTOS: COREY GAFFER
Lost Pontoon
Project type: New Construction
This Northern Minnesota lakeside cabin complex was designed for two families who had spent summers on this lake for generations. Their
shared respect for the tradition of modest fishing retreats formed the basis of the design challenge: how to build something new that did
not stand out amongst the small-scale original retreats on the lake. To accommodate their extended families without overwhelming the
site with a large structure was the goal. An existing cabin and outbuildings were removed and a composition of three new structures were
placed on the site. The three small-scaled, dark-colored buildings were meant to blend into the environment as inconspicuously as possible.
Very few trees were removed, no changes were made to the existing shoreline, and off-site storage for larger boats and recreation
equipment was utilized to reinforce the low impact feel of the retreat. The vacated site of the original cabin became an open beach and
yard around which the three buildings were arranged. The composition unfolds as one approaches along the drive, with each building
presenting itself in a three-quarter view.
The main cabin is modest in scale and is set back behind a pre-existing ice ridge so that the lake can be viewed through a screen of trees.
This ridge also determined the height of the main floor, which sets the main cabin up a few feet higher than the other buildings. The
screened porch is on the side of the cabin, allowing the views from the interior to not be obstructed.
A boardwalk across the lake side of the cabin allows for beachgoers to access the main floor bathroom directly from the outside, to better
manage sandy feet. The all-wood interior of the main cabin was meant to feel like an historic lodge. The small guest cottage was placed
at the setback overlooking the open beach area. An outdoor shower on the east side is connected to the cottage via a wood boardwalk.
The garage/recreation cabin was to be primarily used as a hang out space for the guys. Double doors off the side of the single garage
bay open onto a small open porch facing the courtyard where they can sit in the evenings without disturbing other family members in the
other two buildings. An exterior stair leads to the tv lounge above and helps reduce the footprint of the building. This two-story structure
forms the back wall of the courtyard composition, providing a feel of privacy and enclosure from the road.
All of these decisions add up to a design that is spatially efficient with maximum functionality and direct connection to the outdoors. All
interior materials were selected to be sustainable and renewable, with an emphasis placed on indoor air quality. Zero VOC coatings and
materials were used throughout the interior. Heat loss was minimized through the use of well insulated envelope with efficient windows,
strategically placed to maximize views.
Materials were chosen for their durability and their sustainability: slate and metal roofing, charred wood
siding, burnished concrete block at exposed foundations, and Ipe decking all create a low maintenance and
long-lasting exterior. The colors blur the line between the built and natural environment of the surroundings.
Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd.
www.aharchitecture.com • (612) 823-0233
Design team: Christine Albertsson, AIA; Tammy Angaran, AIA; Abby Merlis, Assoc. AIA
11

Box Camp
PHOTOS: PAUL CROSBY
Project type: New Construction
A small lake in the north woods of Wisconsin was the summer tromping grounds for our
clients in their youth. Now with their own family, they selected a nearby site with an existing
dilapidated cabin on which to build a new retreat. Existing trees were protected and
the new structures were pulled well back from the shoreline to avoid dominating the site.
They desired a building that would be low-slung, fit into the contours of the site, and
would invoke a modern, yet camp-like arrangement of gathering and sleeping spaces.
When approached from the circular drive, the building acts as a barrier to the
lake’s edge. A slatted cedar wall contrasts with the dark corrugated siding
and helps mark the entry point for guests. A wooden boardwalk and low roof over the entry provide warmth and scale to the
arrival experience. A large entry window is hidden behind the slatted cedar wall, allowing filtered glimpses to the water beyond.
12
SALA Architects
www.salaarc.com • (612) 379-3037
The plan unfolds as a long circulation spine visibly open from one end to the
other that connects a string of wooden living and sleeping boxes. The heart
of the camp is a central gathering box with tall ceilings, a commanding fireplace,
and expansive windows facing toward the lake. Sleeping spaces are
located in the north and south boxes like small satellites, and are reached either
through a screened breezeway, or an enclosed but glassy connector. A future
phase of construction is planned to the south where two additional sleeping
boxes will be lofted into the trees and connected via a raised boardwalk.
The large east and west projecting roof eaves are a unique feature of the retreat.
Designed to protect the structure from both sun and weather, the eaves cantilever
as much as six feet on the western side. Douglas fir roof joists were selected
for their structural capacity, and are combined with an interior steel beam
at their fulcrum. Windows skim past the interior beam and up to the bottom edge of the joists and impart a strikingly thin roof edge.
Visual and physical connections between inside and outside were important considerations for the family. Throughout the structure, wood
acts as a mediator between interior and exterior spaces. A generous deck, set two steps lower than interior floor
height, stretches across the lake front to accommodate outdoor living beneath a broad, protective overhang.
The cedar screen porch acts as both a breezeway between buildings, but also a connecting element between
the arrival side and lakeside of the site via large pivoting screen doors.
Design team: David O’Brien Wagner, AIA; Caitlin Dippo; Katie Leaf, AIA

For over 36 years we’ve created places of beauty and
purpose for an extraordinary range of people and projects.
When your fireplace
becomes your special place.
952-546-6162 • AllSeasonsFire.com • 6801 Wayzata Blvd • St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Hayward Cabin
PHOTOS: TROY THIES
Project type: New Construction
This Nordic-inspired cabin replaces a small, worn, water-damaged prefab house formerly occupying the site. The goals for this project
included making a flexible, efficient and charming cabin on a modest construction budget. This challenge was met by using a simple
story-and-a-half primary form parallel to the lake, with narrow front gable to cover the entry and back shed dormer overlooking the
water.
The screen porch on the lake side is tucked into the primary shape of the cabin and is connected in warm weather to the adjacent kitchen
and living room by wide sliding doors to make the floor plan flow. Simple, durable materials of dimensional
lumber, stone and steel were used throughout the house with splashes of contrasting Scandinavian red, blue
and green to set off the cabinetry, windows and stair. This small plan lives large.
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Mark Larson, AIA; Will Spencer, Assoc. AIA
14

East Harriet Renewal
Project type: Remodel
The owner of this 1906 East Harriet home wanted to enhance it by adding a historically sensitive, welcoming, well-scaled front entry
porch, as well as refreshing its exterior finishes. They also wanted to add on to the back of the house in order to modernize the main family
and kitchen spaces, which was done in a style consistent with the work on the front façade.
The new front entry porch echoes the other entry porches on the block, giving the home a more gracious connection to the front yard and
neighborhood activity, as well as a more welcoming approach for visitors. Its thick natural stone piers, painted millwork and a warm cedar
tongue-and-groove ceiling complement the main house, while also providing additional detail and interest as one approaches the home.
Keeping its heritage always in mind, the exterior of the home was almost entirely re-clad. The stucco on the existing home was removed
and replaced with a softly textured, earthy stucco that complements the existing clay tile roof. Existing windows were replaced with new
energy-efficient double-hungs with a more historical muntin pattern. Millwork was replaced a with broader, more detailed style that is
more consistent with the style and era of the home. The oculus window above the front door, once floating in stucco, is now integrated
into the overall millwork pattern and given its own curved backbanding. The existing 4” stone base and limestone cap were kept, its stone
matched and carried around at the new entry porch and steps.
Though much was changed during
the remodeling process, the spirit
of the original house was honored,
bringing it into the twenty-first
century and enriching the original
palette and vocabulary that began
its story over 100 years ago.
Its well-scaled massing, thoughtful
color and material palette and
newly found connection to the
street, should allow it to continue
to tell its story as an integral, harmonious
neighbor for many years
to come.
PHOTOS: LAKELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
TEA2 Architects
www.tea2architects.com • (612) 929-2800
Design team: Tyler Hillger, AIA; Dan Nepp, AIA; Tyler Nelson
15

651.644.1106 citydeskstudio.com bawes@citydeskstudio.com
7-Time Winner Star Tribune AIA Minnesota Home Of The Month

PHOTOS: CHAD HOLDER
Nordic Shift
Project type: Remodel
This 1980s home was architecturally designed with interesting
volumes and spaces. Typical of the time, rooms were overly enclosed,
windows were small and the siding was the durable “new
thing”. Nordic Shift began as an uncovering of the inherent traits
and qualities of the house, to shift them into the light. Multiple
exterior studies were done to explore the form of the home with
new textures, materials, and colors, highlighting what was interesting
and unique.
The verticality of the house, along with diminutive windows, created
an odd proportion without much human scale. We introduced
a strong horizontal band created with different cladding
materials. This banding not only reduced the scale of the exterior,
but it also accentuated some of the more interesting feature
of the home, including the monumental sloped roof. The cedar
base was chosen to echo and engage the dense vegetation on the property. Its natural surface provides a raw tactile feel at ground level
where the owners come up close. A heavier material, vertical cedar siding helped to ground the house to the site all around and highlighting
that the lower level is carved into earth.
On the upper half, white painted cement board achieves the opposite effect—it gives a sense of airiness that allows the upper level to lift
towards the sky. The large smooth panels with minimal seams appear more monolithic in nature, a direct contrast to the knotty weathering
cedar below. Large dark clad windows were installed throughout both levels, taking advantage of the surrounding natural beauty
and tying the two cladded materials together with a cohesive element. Laser cut aluminum panels mounted on a floating frame add a
needed visual focal point to the front of the home which lacked a visible front entry. The pattern is a fresh take on a rosemaling pattern,
a traditional Norwegian folk art which held importance to the clients and became a major source of design inspiration both inside and
out. Facing west, these panels provide beautiful sweeping shadows that glide across the front façade during the afternoon and evening
hours. At the front door, they act as an anchor for the new roof canopy and an oversized wall sconce casting light across the entry way.
Major design elements from the outside are repeated on the interior at a more human scale. When entering the home, you are immediately
greeted with a custom formed metal handrail at the entry stair which echoes the shapes of the exterior aluminum panels. A large
glass backsplash which visually connects the entry space to the kitchen is laminated with the same modern
rosemaling pattern. Clean lines articulated in white oak, steel, fresh white, and splashes of color, reflect the
look and feel of the Owners Scandinavian heritage.
CityDeskStudio
www.citydeskstudio.com • (651) 644-1106
Design team: Ben Awes, AIA; Chris Bach
17

Cathedral Hill
Addition & Remodel
Project type: Remodel, Addition
PHOTOS: HEARTHTONE PHOTOGRAPHY
To be closer to friends, doctors and hospitals, Renee and
John moved from their large, rural home into St. Paul’s Historic
Hill District. The house they found was a small, detached
story and a half that had been the original caretaker’s
house for the St. Paul Church Home. It was not like its
neighboring Victorian era houses. The major design problem
was to provide a master bedroom suite on the 1st floor. The
bedrooms on original 760 square foot second floor were a
hazard with John’s failing health.
Working with the architects, the owners first remodeled the
1,230 square foot ground floor area to live in as they built
the ground floor addition with its master bedroom suite,
laundry and breakfast room. The 740 square foot addition
included a new screen porch, terrace and second floor deck
above the link between existing house and addition.
The owners wanted a house with traditional character,
which was accomplished with new hardwood floors, new
painted wood base and window casing with traditional profiles,
adding a cove molding at the ceiling and new painted
wood panel doors. The living room ceiling was scraped clean
of its pebbled finish and plastered smooth. Dimly lit rooms
were brightened with new more compatible fixtures having
a higher light output. Simply changing the stain on the oak
fireplace and stair railing to a dark brown and painting the
walls with color brought a traditional and warmer feeling.
Renee, an avid gardener, coaxed the entire yard into bloom
with flowers, shrubs, trees and even a bottle tree, paying
homage to her southern heritage. A paver sitting terrace
was added to the front yard under large shade trees. John
passed on shortly after the project was completed, but Renee
ccontinues to enjoy her Historic Hill neighborhood in St.
Paul and has just brought a new puppy into her home.
Carlsen & Frank Architects
www.carlsenfrank.com • (651) 227-4576
Design team: Peter Carlsen, AIA; Sylvia Frank, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
18

PHOTOS: ALYSSA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
¡Caliente!
How does
an urban,
growing family
add new living
space without
detracting from
the original
architecture?
Project type:
New Construction
The Howe Neighborhood of Minneapolis
was platted in 1907, leading
to the construction of modest and
charming bungalows. Now reaching
100 years old, these homes are showing their age beyond just typical wear; the floor plan layouts—many discrete small rooms —are difficult
to modify and expand without negatively impacting the bungalow scale
and character.
Pregnant with their first child and both parents working part-time from
home, they knew they needed more space. But they also loved the existing
character of the neighborhood and valued “blending in” even though
they loved bright colors and unique spaces.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) was designed as a continuation of
their living space, separate but within forty feet of the house. By day,
one parent can work; by night, both parents can enjoy a board game or
movie night while the child sleeps in the primary dwelling, assisted by
a baby monitor.
The property, being mid-block, does not give up many views of the ADU
from the street. Only immediate neighbors (left, right, and alley) know
of the hidden red gem in
the backyard.
The Ground Level includes a two-car garage, utilities, and an interior stair to the space above.
The Living Level includes a small kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. The design is a
traditional story-and-a-half cottage with about 600 square feet per floor. Dormers animate
the sloping roofs and allow for passive solar heat and light through south-facing windows and
skylights. A heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) maintains fresh air throughout the living space.
The color palette was less modest: Benjamin Moore “Wasabi” and “Salsa” colors were
chosen for the interior spaces, complementing a natural pine tongue-and-groove
wood ceiling vault. The exterior choice was bold as well: Benjamin Moore “Caliente” red.
Approachable, aspirational-yet-attainable, ADU’s speak confidently as a housing option for
growing cities like Minneapolis. ADU’s embrace the concept of
urban infill harmonizing with existing neighborhood character,
and allow for evolving demographics including aging-in-place,
working from home, and multi-generational living.
Christopher Strom Architects
www.christopherstrom.com • (612) 961-9093
Design team: Chris Strom, AIA; Theodore Grothe, AIA
19

PHOTOS: SCOTT AMUNDSON
Browndale Renovation
Project type: Remodel
This 1940s Colonial in Edina’s Country Club neighborhood
was full of potential but in need of refinement. Previous renovations
had converted exterior rooms to interior spaces and
filled the home with awkward level changes, hard surfaces and
disjointed rooms. The kitchen stood behind a brick wall, and the
sunroom and family room were divided by a thick brick indoor grill.
Rooms were opened up, circulation paths widened, and the kitchen
was made hub of the house. Tongue and groove paneling tie the
rooms together and built-ins capture empty space where wall thickness
needed to remain. Off the garage, a new mudroom, larger powder
room, and side entry cubby maximize storage and functionality.
20
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Jean Rehkamp Larson, AIA; Angela Taffe Wingate, Assoc. AIA

Shady Lane
Residence
PHOTOS: STEVE HENKE STUDIO
It’s always an honor when
an interior designer entrusts
an architecture firm with
designing her own dream
home.
Project type: Remodel
After living in their dark, cramped, 1970s-ski house-style
home on Lake Minnetonka for nearly a decade, Katie Bassett,
an award-winning interior designer, and her husband
tasked our firm with the extensive renovation project.
Design challenges included maintaining the original
foundation and responding to the home’s surrounding
context. The home was once part of a vast estate but it
was tucked to the far left of the lot so it had no front entry
presence and no presence on the site. The rooms were
dark, the ceilings were low and the kitchen was oriented
towards the driveway with a limited view of the lake.
Among the Bassetts’ many goals, they wanted an open
floor plan with tall ceilings, abundant natural light, an integrated
kitchen, dining and living area for entertaining, guest
rooms, home offices and plenty of storage—all of which were
achieved by the architectural solutions, which included re-orienting
the house to the lake to create views from every room.
The finished project reflects a charming spirit of place,
complete with a cupola with a handcrafted copper weathervane,
a dramatic interior palette of white shiplap paneling
and white custom cabinetry punctuated by black enameled
doors plus an array of glamorous light fixtures. Other
thoughtful details include storage built into the staircase,
a pass-through serving station to the screened porch, a
soundproofed TV room, and other welcoming features.
From the lake, the house sits quietly on the land, looking as
though it’s always been there. Inside, the house is spacious,
comfortable and welcoming—exactly as Katie envisioned
her dream
home to
be.
Peterssen/Keller Architecture
www.pkarch.com • (612) 353-4920
Design team: Lars Peterssen, AIA; Ryan Fish, AIA
21

PHOTOS: SCOTT AMUNDSON
Fletcher Phoenix
Kell.Architect(s)
www.kellarchitects.com • (612) 812-5687
Design team: Meghan Kell Cornell, AIA; Kelly Kraemer, Assoc. AIA
22
Project type: Remodel
What began as a tragic loss, blossomed into the timeless redux of
abeloved familyhome. A house fire, contained in the kitchen, caused
extensive smoke damage requiring renovation of the entire interior
and exterior. Originally a modest Cape Cod built in 1942, the home
had accepted several additions throughout the years. The fire restoration
allowed for opportunity for the past additions to finally harmonize.
The existing square footage provided plenty of room within the walls, therefore
the remodel addresses spatial adjacencies bounded by the existing
footprint. While already generous, the kitchen layout was adjusted to accommodate
optimal use for a couple with a passion for cooking. The main level
laundry found a new space upstairs and a powder room took its place. By
pairing the guest bedroom with an existing nearby bath, it has now become
a private bedroom suite, with aging-in-place in mind.
The removal of the wall between the informal and formal dining rooms allows for one dramatic space for large family holiday
gatherings and food centric dinner parties. The 1 x 8 original paneling pattern is mimicked, merging the two dining areas
into one. Poor construction practices on the past additions required redesigning the garden entry near the curved patio. Both fireplaces
in the home required remodeling due to the fire damage. The living room and family room, anchoring opposite ends of the
house, now have fireplace designs that bookend, speaking to each other with familiarity yet boasting different levels of formality.
upstairs the couple’s suite is rearranged to use square footage much more efficiently. Relocating the entry door to the bedroom allows for
a larger walk-in closet. The couple’s bathroom is located now at the back of the home with a window for natural light, an essential element
lacking in the former location. The new upstairs laundry room borrows space from the former couple’s bathroom and is accessed from the
hallway for easy access.
Typical of the Cape Cod style, an honest and simplified material palette is deployed. Warm white paint colors on the millwork and
walls contrast with dark horizontal surfaces of natural stone and wood to warmly welcome. Soapstone countertops and fireplace
surrounds, dark stained oak floors and slate where weather resistance is a concern, are the steady selections throughout. Carefully
designed millwork and cabinetry, continuous and simple in character, render the spaces timeless.
The exterior architecture is invigorated by a refreshed paint scheme and a new black clad window expression.
Updated interior layouts produced several new window configurations on which simplified mutton patterns
provide a clean and handsome adornment. Exterior and interior expressthe same color and material palettes.
From the ashes, a refreshing and harmonious revival, while not straying too far from hearty Cape Cod roots.

PHOTOS: CANARY GREY
Modest Mid-Century Remodeling
Project type: Remodel
“Mid-century” is the feel for this main floor overhaul that transformed a
1960’s suburban two-story, as small, disconnected rooms were opened
up to each other to create
a better flow, with a focus
on daily ritual. First, the
formal dining room was
sacrificed to create a more
utilized mudroom and
built-in pantry. To achieve
this, the dining table found
a new home in the generous
living room.
A new opening into the
living room was made to create sightlines and a more direct connection to the kitchen. The
kitchen peninsula was replaced by a narrow island with seating at one end, providing storage
and a smoother transition into the family room. This project is an excellent example of how
modest changes on a challenging suburban footprint can have a
major impact on the livability of a house.
Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd.
www.aharchitecture.com • (612) 823-0233
Design team: Christine Albertsson, AIA; Michael Burgoyne, AIA; Abigail Merlis, Assoc. AIA
23

Twenty-First
Century Craftsman
PHOTOS: HALF ACRE HOUSE
24
Project type: Remodel, Addition
With careful attention to scale and
economy, a precisely placed addition
grew the home just enough to allow for the desired program (kitchen, mudroom, laundry,
and powder room) without overpowering the original foursquare footprint from the exterior.
Efficiency in space was a focus, utilizing a small footprint to serve a multitude of tasks.
Much consideration was given to seamlessly blending the new and old. Existing millwork
and casework was matched and recreated in the new remodel in order to tie the spaces
together and “retain the property’s historic character.” This includes the existing exterior
stained-glass window above the dining room buffet, where the surrounding trim work
was hand crafted on opposite side as a focal point above the mudroom bench. Using items
like the reclaimed sink in the powder room are not only sustainable choice, but also feel
authentic to the space. The handmade prairie style tile backsplash
becomes just another piece of art in the homeowner’s collection.
While searching for a retirement home, these homeowners fell in love with the
exquisite original millwork that had survived the last century intact. An 80s kitchen
renovation was the outlier that detracted from the beauty of the rest of the home.
Rehabilitation in architecture “acknowledges the need to alter or add to a historic
property to meet continuing or changing
uses while retaining the property’s
historic character” The goal of
the project was to imagine a period
style kitchen while creating spaces
that work for this century lifestyle.
This project is a celebration of the massive impact of small details,
when designed well.
Mitlyng Design
www.mitlyngdesign.com • (612) 267-5413
Design team: Ashley Mitlyng, AIA; Alicia Liebel-Berg, Assoc. AIA

PHOTOS: COREY GAFFER
Fox Run
Project type: New Construction
Situated on a rolling meadow, this family house settles into its rural landscape with a
modern, open floor plan in vernacular white farmhouse cladding.
The main-level master suite and three bedrooms upstairs allow the owners to raise a family, then age in place. Three porches take full advantage
of the beautiful views of the pastoral landscape. The lower level was designed with the whole family in mind—with game room, office,
exercise room, wine room, and plenty of space for entertaining.
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Mark Larson, AIA; Ryan Bicek, AIA
25

PHOTOS: PETER VONDELINDE
Finnish Finished Lower Level
Project type: Remodel
A young couple came to the design team hopeful and excited about the potential of their unfinished basement. The
owners had previously spent time on updates to the main living spaces of their south Minneapolis home. Now it was
time to think about the stereotypical not so welcoming, and at times very cold, basement of their 1920s-era home.
Both clients have strong Finnish heritage and desired an at-home sauna experience to rival the best found in the Nordic countries. By
relocating their current laundry room and replacing it with the new bathroom suite, a cozy, experiential spa-like retreat was created.
Entering down the stairs into warm, soothing tones with heated floors throughout, you immediately feel a separation and unexpected
refuge within the home. A new living space, with custom entertainment nook and wet bar, is the perfect complement to the spa like
sauna experience. Removing the old glass block and creating an egress window allows for more daylight to travel into the space. Leaving
the exposed ceiling and painting everything white keeps the space feeling airy and open, a challenge in many 100-year-old basements.
While the entire basement was renovated, the combined bathroom and sauna suite was the leading influence for this remodel. With
one inspiration photo from the couple, the team began designing and integrating all the necessary components to create this pleasing
retreat. A gracious shower adjacent to the sauna
allows for easy flow between the two experiences.
Hidden storage cabinets under the stairs and strategic
placement of the toilet room within the space
enhance the clean, modern Scandinavian design.
The displaced laundry and utility spaces were
relocated; the original 100-year-old boiler that
overtook an entire room also replaced. By consolidating
all the previously scattered service and
utility functions, along with upgrading to more
modern, efficient technology, the team achieved
the perfect flow of activities desired by the clients.
With a soothing, modern palette and nod to Nordic
influence this remodel achieves everything the
homeowners desired in their spa like sauna retreat
and reveals a new suggestion for how the basement
of a 100-yearold
house can feel.
NewStudio Architecture
www.newstudioarchiteture.com • (651) 207-8247
Design team: Adam Jarvi, AIA; Christopher Brenny, AIA; Lindsay Matenaer
26

PHOTOS: ALYSSA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
Norfolk Scandi
Not long after returning to Minnesota their family doubled in size—adding two small children to the mix. It was then that they
decided they would need more space and hired us to help. We spent some time assessing different layouts that would be cost effective
while providing ample space for a family of four, and would integrate the Danish modern aesthetic that had become a fundamental
part of the family’s character. After receiving preliminary pricing for the resolved design, Jayme and Phil spent six months
looking at homes for sale to make sure they were making the right financial decision. The both came to the same enthused
conclusion: they would substantially improve the home they already loved, but it needed to be done on a modest budget.
We identified three ways to keep the budget dow but still elevate the form and aesthetic.
First, we kept the existing footprint exactly as it was and added up, rather than out. Second,
we decided to pursue a minimal amount of work on the main level in order to put the
majority of resources into the new upper level. Third, we simplified the form of the exterior,
but added texture and material changes to give the house definition. In doing so, we knew
we could provide the desired space for a family of four and also allow budgetary flexibility
for high-end finishes, which the homeowners identified as a primary importance early on.
The resulting design accommodates all of the homeowner’s program requirements. The
existing main level bedrooms were converted to a back entry/mudroom/laundry room,
and an office/guest room. The kitchen was fully remodeled in a similar location but
expanded to utilize some of the existing vacuous front entry space. The existing stairs to
the lower level remained, and a new stairwell stacked on top. The sides of the new stairs
were infilled with slatted white oak 2x2s to provide light and visual connection between the dining and the kitchen but maintain separate
spaces. The upper level fulfilled Jayme and Phil’s desire to have the kids’ bedrooms and bathroom on the same level as their master suite.
Jayme and Phil stayed true to their passion for the Danish Modern style but also wanted to retain and honor the character of their existing
rambler. We kept the existing red oak floors but finished them with a Nordic light whitewash. All of the wood cabinetry and ceiling
work is quarter-sawn white oak with a matte natural finish. The kitchen island top was sourced as custom full slab pieces of oak. For the
backsplash, Jayme and Phil loved the idea of doing the same plaster finish that they had in their Copenhagen apartment. The subtle
texture and off-white tadelakt finish was custom created to reflect the Danish aesthetic.
This is a house with drama in the exterior tones, but quiets the senses as soon as you enter—a
contrast that heightens the experience of the Danish modern interior and a more American
modern exterior. The home makes you want to run your fingers along every surface and
material, feeling the subtle differences in texture; where you want to curl up with a good
book and imagine you are on a Scandinavian vacation. But it is also a house where a family
of four can eat together, play together, and converse together,
while having their own individual spaces. In short, it is a house
that perfectly blends, in a cost-effective manner, a deep affection
of the Danish Modern aesthetic with the lifestyle needs of
an young American modern family.
K | Nelson Architects
www.knelsonarchitects.com • (763) 913-9912
Design team: Kari Nelson, AIA
Project type:
Remodel, Addition
When the homeowners bought their
first home, they were young and engaged
and thrilled to have a small 1950s rambler
home near the Mississippi River in St. Paul.
They refinished the basement themselves, and
were just settling in when life began to change.
Two years after buying the house, they were given
the opportunity to live and work in Denmark. They
spent the next three years in a Danish apartment
with textured plaster surfaces, raw natural wood and
dark metal accents. They were instantly drawn to the
true Danish aesthetic and knew they would forever be
influenced by this architectural style.
27

Looking
for an
architect?
Visit AIA Minnesota’s website and
use our searchable architecture
firm directory to find a design
professional who fits your needs
best.
Filter by city, building type, firm size
and other criteria.
www.aia-mn.org/firm-directory
dhdstudio.com | info@dhdstudio.com | 612.337.5060
SAVE THE DATE
2020 Homes by Architects Tour | September 26-27
See the architect-designed difference on this one-of-a-kind home tour.
www.HomesByArchitects.org

Awad + Koontz is a residential design-build firm based in Southwest
Minneapolis. Ali Awad, AIA is lead architect. Jim Koontz is lead builder.
Awad + Koontz creates thoughtful, livable homes that are meticulously
planned and constructed. The firm specializes in remodels and
expansions. Ali and Jim preserve the heart and soul of traditional
homes while reinterpreting them for modern living with fresh layouts
and practical solutions for everyday living.
The design-build process capitalizes on the strengths of Ali and Jim and their culture of collaboration.
From the beginning of each client engagement, they address design and construction together, as a team, and strive to find the best solution
for the client’s schedule and budget. The architect and builder have the same goal: to put their creative energies to work to deliver new spaces
that clients love to call home.
Awad + Koontz License BC033713 10 W. 58th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55419 (612) 243-0540 awadandkoontz.com

PHOTOS: COREY GAFFER
Deephaven Up/Down
Project type: Remodel, Addition
This project for a busy family of a national photographer, a teacher,
and their children, entails significant remodeling and additions
to a split-level rambler in Deephaven. From a worn-out garage,
outdated kitchen, and inefficient circulation, the owners’ goal was
to refresh the vocabulary into a clean, modern traditional version
of itself. The extent of this project includes a total reconfiguration
of spaces to create a more convenient open floor plan on the
lower and upper levels.
On the lower level, the main entry was relocated, connecting it
to the new mudroom and three-car garage. An addition on the
rear side of the house accommodates a seamless transition to
the patio and takes advantage of the views to a hidden pond just
past the back lawn. Relocating the main entry to the lower level
where the remodeled kitchen and living room reside, allowed the
former mid-level entry and living room to become a multipurpose
music/family room.
A clean palette of white paint and white-washed wood was chosen
to maximize the penetration of daylight, especially in the lower
level spaces, and establish a strong sense of continuity throughout
the house.
Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd.
www.aharchitecture.com • (612) 823-0233
Design team: Todd Hansen, AIA; Amanda Chial, AIA, LEED Green Associate
30

Ojibwe for
“hummingbird,”
Nenookaasi
symbolizes the
lightness, playfulness
and enjoyment of life.
Nenookaasi
Project type: New Construction
PHOTOS: TROY THIES
An untouched family property for over fifty years,
a sliver of land on this peninsula was ultimately
granted as buildable by Crow Wing County for
Nenookaasi to be designed.
Ojibwe for “hummingbird,” Nenookaasi symbolizes
the lightness, playfulness and enjoyment
of life, the essence of this family getaway.
Poised with a 280-degree view of the water, the
landcommands careful placement of window
openings so the view is precious and pronounced
differently throughout each space.
Outside, the structure blends with the wooded
surroundings while the inside is designed to reflect
what light filters through the tree canopies.The
lofty, light paneled social great room is highlighted
by a cozy fire hearth and adjacent reading nooks
within the constricted ceiling height. A culinary
family, the kitchen is supported by 3 functional
spaces; the cooking kitchen, the cleaning kitchen
and the pantry.
The dining area is gracious, allowing for
comfortable extended family gatherings.
The owner’s suite is the only bedroom located on
the main level and with 2 entries, the couple’s bath
is shared with the entire level. The lower level hosts
spaces for grown children and future grandchildren
to sleep and play.
The screened porch is an added living space in the
warmer seasons connecting with the water play
and enjoyment of natural surroundings. Summer
or winter, Nenookaasi
is designed for family
enjoyment of lake life.
Kell.Architect(s)
www.kellarchitects.com • (612) 812-5687
Design team: Meghan Kell Cornell, AIA; Dan Wallace, AIA; Kelly Kraemer, Assoc. AIA
31

Edmund Residence
Project type: New Construction
When David Eijadi, a retired commercial architect and his wife, Barbara, a graphic
designer, decided to sell their condo and build a new, modern, “forever” home
on a narrow, deep lot in Minneapolis, they recognized the value that a residential
architecture firm could bring to the project. As David says, ”When it comes to
design, space planning and construction, I know commercial, but I don’t know residential.”
After interviewing several firms,
the Eijadis hired the architecture firm
to collaborate with them on the project.
The architects programmed the 2,400
square-foot house to reflect the Eijadis’
design goals. Among their priorities,
they wanted a strong indoor/
outdoor connection, plenty of space for
spending time with their grown children
and grandchildren and the ability
to easily convert a main floor craft
room and bathroom into a master
suite for single-floor living in the future.
Working closely with David, we devised a
simple, straightforward two-story home
with large Marvin windows and sliding
doors to maximize river views and open
the rear to a large backyard.
To minimize costs, the house has no
basement, so the mechanicals are on the
second floor. But, because design is so
important to the Eijadis, they invested in
custom cabinetry and lighting to complement their collections of American furniture, art
by Minneapolis-based artist Leon Hushcha and books.
PHOTOS: SPACECRAFTING
Peterssen/Keller Architecture
www.pkarch.com • (612) 353-4920
Design team: Lars Peterssen, AIA; Andrew Edwins, AIA
32

ORGANIC MODERN
BUILT BY HAGE HOMES
BUILT BY STREETER
INTERIORS BY MARTIN PATRICK 3
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SPACECRAFTING
pkarch.com

PHOTOS: SCOTT AMUNDSON
Independence Farmhouse
Project type: New Construction
Set in a former farm field along a horse path, this new farmhouse
opens up a traditional vernacular form for a busy modern family.
The small upper portion of the house efficiently contains a guest
bedroom, bathroom and two kid bedrooms connected by a Jack
and Jill bath.
The primary living spaces of kitchen, living room and dining room are
contained in the footprint of the upper level wrapped by a shallow shed
roof form that contains all the supporting spaces for the main floor—
mudroom, kennel, pantry, powder room, entry, master suite, study
and porches. An attached garage provides everyday parking for two
cars, and a detached barn has space for
gardening and hunting equipment, storage
and overflow parking. House, barn
and family have settled comfortably into
this beautiful new farmstead.
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Mark Larson, AIA; Amanda Kay, Assoc. AIA
34

Pied à Lac
PHOTOS: TROY THIES
When previous clients, now living primarily out of state, reached out to discuss
the potential of trading in their large Edina family home for a pied-a-terre overlooking
Bde Maka Ska it was both a flattering proposition and daunting challenge.
The apartment, in a 1980’s building, had been meticulously designed and
overhauled nearly twenty years earlier in another collaboration between owner
and architect that featured concrete masonry walls, exposed steel angle detailing,
stucco interior finish, and an acoustic ceiling of perforated and corrugated
galvanized steel. Artful in its industrial aesthetic, the new owners sought to open
up the sight lines, soften materials, increase daylight, and create flexible spaces for work, retreat, and accommodating visiting children.
The orientation of the apartment stretches east to west along the south side of the building on the top floor. By removing
existing partitions, the owners have since enjoyed waking in their bedroom to see the sun rise from across the lake
through the length of the apartment. The span of the day is now marked by light and shadow shifting through living, dining,
kitchen, his and her studies, and bedroom spaces. Only two interior bathrooms and the laundry closet are without this delight.
Our client’s opinions varied on how much of the industrial palette they wanted to keep but the embodied energy—and obvious
effort—inherent in the existing materials implied a responsibility to work with as much as we could. Weighing the existing
materials against the new owners’ goals, we opted to remove reusable and recyclable materials that soaked up precious daylight,
including room dividers and storage systems assembled form angle-iron and corrugated steel. These materials, along with stainless
commercial kitchen counters and equipment, were deconstructed and collected for reuse by Better Futures Minnesota.
New materials were selected to be warm and muted, in contrast to the remaining concrete and steel,
and to provide a backdrop for ever-changing daylight. Though now-disguised masonry walls still create
most of the apartment’s physical barriers, it is really these new materials that define spaces through
functional storage and appliance cabinets. The kitchen is surrounded by custom cabinetry incorporating
prefinished matte laminate panels with integrated pulls by Rehau and porcelain countertops.
Accents of vertical grain Douglas Fir appear throughout the apartment in warm, tactile contrast to the
neutral beige laminate. Most prominently, Fir panels extend horizontally in a floating “cloud” above the
kitchen and dining spaces, and vertically along the circulation path in oversized pocket doors separating the
studies. Other accents include built-in wardrobes, cabinet niches, dining buffet, and a custom headboard.
Douglas Fir cabinetry clads custom wardrobes and bookshelves in a room divider between the studies. Backpainted
glass is used for light-reflecting desk surfaces. Plumbing locations were
fixed by existing conditions so fixtures were selected for creative installations,
such as the hand-held shower and fixed glass partition at the vertical end of
the soaking tub. Large-scale mirrors visually increase the size of the bathrooms
and handmade tiles by Heath Ceramics reflect colors of the lake below.
SALA Architects
www.salaarc.com • (612) 379-3037
Project type: Remodel
Design team: Bryan Anderson, AIA; Marta Snow, AIA
35

Project type:
New Construction
The owners of this small-footprint,
spirit-of-summer Lake Minnetonka
home are the architect and his wife.
The two grew up together on the
Mississippi River, learning to boat
and swim on their own at early ages.
Their dads were best friends and
the families shared camping, boating
and fishing trips. A love for the
outdoors and life on the water laid
the foundation for the couple’s dream
of a lake home of their very own.
The dream was to create a four-season,
family lake home with all the
economy of space, flexibility of use,
and outdoor living embodied by the idea of a “Minnesota Lake Home.”
As hard as lake homes work, they should also fit the site and
family’s lifestyle. The home strikes the perfect balance of familiar
materials and lake home features, with modernist purity
of form, exposed materials and seamless technical integration.
PHOTOS: PAUL CROSBY
Shady Island Summer House
Skilled artisans and craftspeople utilized humble ash wood for
both interior and exterior walls and siding. Each board was washed
meticulously many times for just the right “beach” effect. The architect’s
son was the builder and realized the importance of each form
and detail in his father’s design, managing to achieve a level of
refinement during construction that allows the purity and simplicity
of flying and intersecting forms to clearly and honestly speak.
Triple pane windows and a large, linear fireplace provide comfort
while taking in the view during the winter months. A west facing
sunroom/four-season porch collects sunshine and provides
extra sleeping space for guests, if needed, as does the guest suite
complete with its own outdoor deck. In the warmer months, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to the lake and the family of loons
that make that particular bay home. An elevated and integrated drawing board and study look out onto the great room and frame the
views while keeping the clients connected to the outdoors as they go about their day. Invisible and feature-rich home automation, the
understated quality of Gaggenau appliances, and perfectly placed acoustical treatments complete the livability of the space without
drawing attention away from the site or design. Built-in furniture and cabinets make elegant and efficient use of the smaller space.
To truly be the dream home for these river kids, there had to be an outdoor destination for their family as well. The carport hosts ping-pong,
the auto court is the sport court, the yard is graded for badminton and pickle ball,
and the gravel driveway looks “right” and sounds like “up north.” There is a lake
bathroom accessible only from the outside, an outdoor shower with hot and cold
water and plenty of outdoor deck space for hanging out. The oversized lot allows
for an extra driveway with a campsite at the end, complete with RV hook-ups.
This gives space for setting up campers or tents for those big family gatherings.
The plantings are wild flowers and low-mow fescue for low maintenance, and
are coupled with indigenous pine. Logs and rocks from the site were collected
and arranged in a lake side fire-pit by the grandkids to help complete the dream.
As the owners are known to say, “It’s three bridges
out. After the third bridge, you’re really out there…
you feel like you’re ‘at the lake’.”
Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design
www.charlesrstinson.com • (952) 473-9503
Design team: Charles R. Stinson, AIA; Chuck Thiss; Kim Streeter
36

Warehouse Loft
Remodeling
Project type: Remodel
Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd.
www.aharchitecture.com • (612) 823-0233
Design team: Todd Hansen, AIA; Jenny Seim, Assoc. AIA; Katie Loecken, AIA
A young couple with a loft in the heart of the city wanted to turn their amorphous space into
a more purposeful home. While they loved the location, tall ceilings, exposed metal stairs,
and concrete walls, the open space plan was inefficient and the single loft-style bedroom
would not suffice for a new baby on the way. The loft’s entry had no definition and the adjacent
open space had low 6’-4” ceilings that would not meet the needs for a second bedroom.
The small kitchen lacked storage and counter space necessary for their love of cooking.
Furthermore, the master closet was undefined, exposed, and removed from the bedroom.
To improve the usable space, the floor
heights and interior walls needed to be
reworked. The current master closet
above the low height space was mostly
removed, creating an enclosed nursery
on the first floor with beautiful tall ceilings
and its own storage mezzanine. The
entry hall, now separated, was redefined
with plywood birch paneling that wrapped
around the service hall and new drop
zone, meeting up with the kitchen. The
first level bathroom finishes were upgraded, and the laundry room was relocated and enlarged.
In the kitchen, the island was reoriented and the previously undefined space under the open stairs
was used for expansion with custom cabinetry for the refrigerator, wine storage, pantry pullouts
and a built-in dog kennel. The open shelving over the tile walls emphasize the higher ceilings.
On the second level, the master floor structure was extended and a dividing wall was added to create a single level
en-suite master closet. Built-in low cabinetry was designed to maximize the storage space under the beam line.
A mixture of custom cabinetry and IKEA cabinetry was used throughout the project, and was enriched with
metal accents and warm marble countertops.
37
PHOTOS: CANARY GRET
PHOTOS: CANARY GREY

Prairie Connection
PHOTOS: SPACECRAFTING
Project type: New Construction
This new modern home just west of the Twin Cities is situated
on the site of the owner’s childhood home and took
inspiration from the old house, materials and lifestyle
on the property. The homeowners wanted a house with
sweeping prairie views and plenty of space to frequently
entertain extended family. The flat roof‘s horizontal
lines directly relate to the prairie setting while the interior’s
plywood paneling, exposed concrete and white oak
balance warmth with a modern edge.
Just inside the front door, a colorful bar greets visitors
and custom steel staircase playfully connects the main
floor to the loft above. A large two-sided fireplace defines
two distinct sitting areas – one for watching television
and another for conversation. An oversized kitchen island
is perfect for the homeowners’ large gatherings, and
large windows instead of upper cabinets let in the natural
light and view. A hardworking pantry tucked around
the corner provides convenient storage. The basement,
geared for watching movies and playing ping-pong, is the
perfect teenage hangout zone: kids’ bedrooms are clad
in rugged concrete, and a tunnel leads to a plywood-clad
indoor sport court.
The garage has something unique for the adults as well:
an inventor’s workshop tucked on the far side holds a
workbench, extra power and hatch access to the rooftop.
For these homeowners, this unique focus of family,
entertainment and connection to the landscape is the
perfect combination.
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Mark Larson, AIA; Ryan Lawinger, AIA: Anders Matney, AIA
38

Ox Lake Club
PHOTOS: TROY THIES
Project type: New Construction
I love the variety of cabins I’m asked to design, from the Tiny Escape for two, to the
extended family lodge for grandma and grandpa, their four married children, and
eleven grandchildren. Our recent design for the Ox Lake Club in central Minnesota
was closer to the latter, where a gregarious family might expect extended relatives,
a party of fisherman, or the whole Boy Scout troop.
One of the design challenges of larger cabins is to retain the cozy qualities and the intimacy of the smaller cabins in our memories.
The site we were working with had just enough room below a hill and before a lakeside setback to contain a cabin, detached garage and
driveway turnaround. We could then develop both sleeping and social spaces in two structures, a primary cabin and bunkhouse above the
garage. Our client notes, “I really like the way the two buildings come together at the base of the hill to create our own little protected hollow.”
The owners asked us to design the primary cabin around the focal element of a Tulikivi wood stove. Not only would it be the central
hearth of the living room, but it would also be a baking center for pizza, bread and pies, so proximity to kitchen and dining were
imperative. The Tulikivi is wrapped in soap stone which stores heat, gradually radiating it out to kitchen, living and dining spaces.
Expanding out from those core social spaces are other gathering places, such as a screen porch, terrace and the dock. For
more discretion, groups can find small scale gathering in the away room, second level rumpus room, or in the bunkhouse.
SALA Architects
www.salaarc.com • (612) 379-3037
Design team: Dale Mulfinger, FAIA; Katie Leaf, AIA
A variety of sleeping spaces were also employed in
the design with a collective mattress count of seventeen.
Two bedrooms have attached sleeping lofts and
the rumpus room a window seat of mattress proportion.
The bunkhouse above the garage can sleep
eight. As the client notes, “When you add in the away
room, screen porch, rumpus room and garbin, we
have had 25 people here without feeling crowded.”
To enhance cabin charm, a variety of materials were
utilized inside and out. The exterior has bark siding, dark
stained horizontal siding, blonde vertical cedar, metal
and asphalt roofs, and Chinese red windows. Inside are
oak and poplar trees removed from the site that have
been blended with glue lamb beans, fir cabinets, slate
floor, a taconite sheathed fireplace and a soap stone
wood stove. Additional character
is added with swing
seats, and room signage from
their previous cabin.
39

PHOTOS BY ARCHITECT
Arts & Crafts
Revival
Project type: Remodel
This English Arts and Crafts style house was originally
built in 1924. Over the years, it had gone
through several expansions—some good and some
bad. It had also suffered severe deterioration due to
water infiltration. The owners came to us looking to
restore the beauty and integrity of the original home,
as well as adding some new features that would
enhance its livability and connection to its site.
The charming triple gable on the west side of the
home yearned for connection to the large, beautiful
backyard. But with grade sitting five feet lower in
the back than in the front (and over six feet below
the level of the first floor), connecting the first floor
living spaces to the backyard was a challenge. A new
garage provided this stepping stone between house
and yard. The old, detached single-car garage was
replaced with a new attached two-car garage with
a sunny roof-top deck, providing both for the daily
needs of a family with kids and an opportunity to
step the mass of the home down gracefully from the
newly expanded breakfast nook bay to the backyard.
The smaller mass of the breakfast room bay provides
animation on the large west facade and brings it down to
a more intimate scale. Its flat roof with crisp coved eave is
historically appropriate and complements the triple gable.
The whole house was then re-dashed and all windows and
trim painted to create a seamless transition between the
old and new.
The new grey-blue window color and creamier stucco
compliment this traditional home, while also giving it a
refreshed, vibrant look. With a sensitive approach to
massing, detailing, and finishing the home now better
complements and ties into the outdoor spaces and the
neighborhood.
TEA2 Architects
www.tea2architects.com
(612) 929-2800
Design team: Petra Schwartze, AIA; Dan Nepp, AIA;
Tom Henningson; Tyler Nelson; Ruth Foster,
Assoc. AIA
40

School House Box
Project type: Remodel, Addition
Believed to be the oldest building in Excelsior, this humble brick structure has transformed, been moved, and housed countless
people over its 162 years. Affectionately known as ‘The Beehive’ because of all the comings and goings, it began as the original Excelsior
schoolhouse, was moved to its current location in the 1880s, and over the years was used as a 23-room dormitory for the Northwestern
Christian College, a boarding house, apartments, as well as (rumors of) more sordid activities in the early 20th century!
In its most recent iteration, multiple rental units had been carved out of its interior. On the back was a dilapidated
three-story porch that had been a rebuild of a previous porch structure. Because the building lies within the Excelsior
Historic District we could not alter the front façade, and unusually, the back façade also fell under the historic guidelines
because it faced the public parking for City Hall and many of the stores on Water Street. That’s where we began.
The building has been in the same family for the past 30 years. The owner, an interior designer, was working on plans to combine the two
main floor units when she came to us. Her main goal was to turn the main floor into her home, keep the upper unit intact, start from scratch
on the basement unit, and give all units a nice backyard-facing space and an outdoor space, which they didn’t currently have.
A full rebuild and expansion of the back porch was needed to give reasonable space
to each unit. The entire main floor and basement levels were torn open down to the
studs, which were beautiful —crusty, aged old-growth pine with a fantastic patina.
We removed walls only where absolutely required or left exposed studs uncovered.
The design looks forward, not backward, and the forms emerged out of the design
process, while drawing from and being anchored in the full breadth of its context.
The intersection of the new and old is the most exciting aspect of the project.
The primary visible change is the new expansion off the back. We did not intentionally
make it distinct. Here we drew from the context of the building itself and
immediate downtown district. The schoolhouse already had a few blocky additions
so our new addition followed the same pattern, a series of cascading blocky
forms extending and expanding the space that was already there. This articulates
each unit as unique and scales the building to the individual and family.
We also thought carefully about proportion. For example, the building already had
vertical double hung windows which were also prevalent in the historic district. We played on this idea and used jumbo double-hungs in the
new construction. This connects us to the history and context, but also surprises and connects us to the greater space outdoors in ways
the old building did not.
Materially, the existing schoolhouse could not be matched, but it could be exposed, celebrated, and not dominated
by the new construction. We love materials, the stuff we build buildings with. This project is filled with rich
materials, both original and new, meant to compliment and expand the palate: brick, raw steel, glass, exposed
wood, original floors, new travertine and walnut, and charred cedar, charred by the owner herself.
PHOTOS: CHAD HOLDER
CityDeskStudio
www.citydeskstudio.com • (651) 644-1106
Design team: Ben Awes, AIA; Chris Bach
41

Round Lake Lodge
PHOTOS: SCOTT AMUNDSON
Project type: New Construction
This family cabin feels like just that—a cabin. A material palette of chinked log siding, recycled timbers, wall and ceiling boards and natural
stone enhance the feeling of being on retreat—out of the city. The center log-clad one-and-a-half story anchors a private master bedroom
wing to the north and a public living room/screen porch wing to the south.
The floor plan is open, with structure and ceiling height defining the spaces. Painted window sashes, interior doors and colorful cabinets
play well next to the rustic wood. Patterned concrete tile at the kitchen backsplash is a nod to historic quilting patterns, a craft tradition in
Wisconsin culture.
A detached garage leaves the cabin free of this modern necessity. The revitalized boat
house is painted red for easy identification from the water and ties back to the red windows
on the cabin.
42
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Jean Rehkamp Larson, AIA; Sarah Nymo, AIA

North Minneapolis Infill
PHOTOS BY ARCHITECT
Project type: New Construction
Looking for a lot on which to build a new home near
her job in Northeast Minneapolis, the client found an
empty parcel abutting a small pond in North Minneapolis.
The flat lot with a view overlooking the prairie-buffered
storm water pond provided a great opportunity
to build a compact, high-performing home on a budget.
With the help of her father acting as the general contractor,
our client chose to build a slab-on-grade home with energy-efficient
structurally insulated panels (SIPs) to frame
the walls.
Clad in cypress and corrugated metal, the home
brings a modern design and progressive construction
type to an established neighborhood seeing
new investments in affordable single-family homes.
The views of the pond from the alley side of the lot
drove a strategy to split the attached two-car garage
into two single stall garages, creating a private courtyard
space that serves as a focus and extension of the
living space. One garage serves as the owner’s while
the other can flex as a tenant garage or owner’s studio.
A central two-story living space looks out over the courtyard
and pond beyond. The upper level owner’s suite and potential
tenant suite are separated
and defined by the overlook to
the living area below.
Christian Dean Architecture
www.deanarch.com • (612) 886-2814
Design team: Christian Dean, AIA; Jessica Harner, AIA; Julian Menne
43

PHOTOS: LANDMARK PHOTOGRAPHY
Jewel
Box
Cabin
Project type:
New Construction
Nestled into the woods on the shore
of Caribou Lake, the environmentally
friendly Jewel Box Cabin uses
the principles of biophilic design to
connect the homeowners with their
natural surroundings.
This 900 square-foot, two-story
cabin sits among the trees, designed
for minimal site impact. The entrance
is tucked underneath the large, second-story
cantilever, evoking principles
of prospect and refuge. The second story cantilever is counter balanced by a grounded steel firewood box, adding additional privacy
to the entrance. Once inside, the great room space opens up with higher ceilings, exposed fir beams and expansive windows, connecting
the homeowners back to nature. A door leads out to the screen porch, where you are once again outside, nestled in the woods. On the
upper floor you are greeted with wall to wall windows putting you higher amongst the trees.
The modest bedrooms with plywood closets, capture additional lake and forest views. The upper floor contains
two bedrooms, a family bath and flex space all within the confines of 385 square feet. A large plywood
door on the main floor can be used to close off the upper floor for additional privacy. The radiant concrete
floors and wood burning stove provide warmth and comfort during the snowy winter months.
44
Imprint Architecture and Design, LLC
www.imprintarchitecture.com • (651) 440-0334
Design team: Sara Imhoff, AIA

PHOTOS: PETER VONDELINDE
Mahtomedi Modern
Project type: New Construction
In the fall of 2017, the architecture firm and Leona Rose Interiors teamed
up to create a modern oasis for a family on White Bear Lake. Engaging
the site in a respectful way, the residence presents a quiet and restrained
one level street front, opening up to a walkout with sweeping views of and
access to the lake at the backside. Three vertical massing elements help to
organize and define the program inside the home, reinforcing the permeability
of light and views and the relationship to the lake.
To contrast the transparency and direct visual access on the
main level, a horizontal clerestory window language was developed
to provide diffuse, private light throughout. To maximize
indoor/outdoor living and support the family’s living
from season to season, multiple dynamic stackable sliders
were employed on the lakeside of the home to effectively
blur the traditional boundary between inside and outside
space, encouraging true indoor/outdoor living.
PLAAD
www.plaadoffice.com • (612) 388-6588
Design team: Mark Stankey, AIA, LEED AP; Mathew Byers, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
45

PHOTOS: COREY GAFFER
Mid-Century Primary
Project type: Remodel
Originally designed in 1963 and situated amongst the leafy cover of
the West River Parkway, this home exhibits clear influences from
leading architectural thinkers of its day: Eames, Breuer, Neutra,
Corbusier, and Utzon. Light, form, color, and texture clearly drove
the original architect’s design. The home’s current owners desired
a remodel that updated and freshened their kitchen and powder
room while clarifying and accentuating the era. A clunky kitchen
renovation years prior had made the space cramped, dark and out
of sync with the rest of the well-proportioned home. The clients
also enlisted our help to arrange their living spaces to better enjoy
their classic modern furniture, books and art collected from around
the world.
The original home was designed by Minneapolis architects Herbert
B. Crommett of Crommett and Associates and is an excellent
example of Mid-Century Modern design. The design required an architect to understand the home’s
historic importance, and to bring the necessary sensitivity to make well-considered design changes that
would bring back the character of the home is specific areas where it had been lost, such as the kitchen,
and to bring harmonious updates throughout each space that was renovated.
Each design decision was carefully considered in how it would both provide the owners with the function
they needed while complementing the Modern character of the home This can be seen in the selection of
a light gray wash to the kitchen cabinetry which provides a brighter space, while also visually connecting
to the grain pattern of existing darker stained wood in the home. It is also found in the use of thin black
steel accents in the library shelving as well as the powder room sink supports derived from the existing
stair rail. Strong primary colors were employed throughout the interiors to harken back the mid-century
roots of the home and play off the original red and blue exterior accent colors.
46
The powder room was transformed into it’s own unique space with a wall of
vibrant blue elongated hex-tile set between deep-slatted end-walls of Baltic
birch plywood. The slatted wall is sculpturally shaped to provide display
shelving as well as hidden storage compartments.
SALA Architects
www.salaarc.com • (612) 379-3037
Design team: David O’Brien Wagner, AIA; Marta Snow, AIA

PHOTOS: TROY THIES
Swan Architecture
www.swanarchitecture.com • (612) 338-5976
Design team: Andrea Swan, AIA; Constance Chen, AIA
Modern Farmhouse
Project type: New Construction
This new home design began with looking back to rural farmhouse vernacular
forms and detailing which the client found so appealing. In this spirit,
we broke apart the house forms, starting with four-stall garage requested
by the client, and placed a detached two-stall garage in the backyard allowing
the two-stall attached garage in the front to play a supporting role in
the front façade massing. There is no question that the lead role goes to
the two-story front entry stair hall—a curtain wall of steel and glass that
draws guests in.
The client sought a balance between refined and authentic materials
with a somewhat
utilitarian
approach often
found in true working farms, where everything has a purpose —one example of that
is the gutters and downspouts. Oftentimes we try to avoid them, as they can be
viewed as unappealing. But they do serve a purpose, and we sought to celebrate
them, matching the standing seam roofing material. Authentic detailing to an
otherwise minimal and clean aesthetic results in balanced fusion between traditional
and contemporary. A notable feature of this home is that there are no TVs —
this client chooses reading as their pastime, and the
only television in the entire home is in the lower level
library. The main level music room features a grand
piano and nook for listening.
47

PHOTOS: SCOTT AMUNDSON
Lake Harriet
Classic
Project type: Remodel
This classic 1916 Craftsman house located just east of Lake Harriet in South Minneapolis had beautiful, unaltered bones and details in the
formal front half of the house. But in the late 1980s, the kitchen was remodeled and an old attached garage was converted into a family
room—both lacking details consistent with the original home. It also left the upstairs with two disproportionate bathrooms: a cramped
master bath, and much too-large family bathroom which used to be the sunroom.
This new design reorganized the kitchen and reshaped transitions between spaces to incorporate the existing old house trim. Cabinetry
details now match the adjacent dining room’s original built-in buffet and could be mistaken as vintage. A second pair of windows added in
the family room balances the light and now completely belies its former life as garage. Space on the second level was reallocated without
shifting exterior windows, resulting in two comfortably sized bathrooms.
This sensitive remodel brought the kitchen, family room and bathrooms up to a consistent
level of design without adding a square foot. Sometimes less is more.
Rehkamp Larson Architects
www.rehkamplarson.com • (612) 285-7275
Design team: Jean Rehkamp Larson, AIA; Laurel Johnston, AIA
48

European Modern Residence
PHOTOS: SPACECRAFTING
Project type: New Construction
The homeowners are a couple with two daughters. The husband is an international business executive and
the wife is an interior designer. After living in Berlin and Atlanta for more than a decade, the family wanted
to return to Minnesota. They found a tear-down on a quiet street in Edina and commissioned the architecture
firm and building partners to plan, design and build the house before they moved back from Atlanta.
The couple has a strong design aesthetic and a clear idea of how they wanted to live in Minnesota.
With this new home, their design goals included a classic, European exterior that would blend
easily into the neighborhood of traditional homes. For the interiors, they wanted a clean, minimal
Bauhaus-style environment with abundant space for entertaining and working from home.
As the homeowners were living in Atlanta during the planning, design and construction
process, the primary design challenge was creating a collaborative process that
allowed the clients to work remotely with the architecture firm and their building partners.
The designers created a timeless white stucco home that recalls Belgian modern country houses.
Inside, the highly functional open plan balances modernity and classicism with an integrated
kitchen, pantry, dining room and family room and a casual indoor-outdoor room inspired by the
family’s life in Atlanta. A game
room provides additional space
for entertaining. As both homeowners work from home, the
designers also created two home offices. Hers does double
duty as a sitting room while his also functions as a guest room.
The house is finished with a sophisticated color palette of white and
charcoal balanced with natural and organic textures and illuminated by
dramatic metal light fixtures. The luxurious materials palette of Carrara
marble, white oak, granite and Georgian paneling creates a stunning
backdrop for the homeowners’ collection of art, photography, treasured
furniture and antiques
acquired on their travels.
Peterssen/Keller Architecture
www.pkarch.com • (612) 353-4920
Design team: Carl Olson, AIA; Gabriel Keller, Assoc. AIA
49

Five Frequently Asked Questions
About Searching for an Architect
PHOTO: RYAN SIEMERS
Experience tells us that successful projects result from informed clients working with skilled architects to form professional, business and
often personal relationships. These relationships are formed early on and are nourished by clear communication, mutually understood
expectations, and a willingness of both client and architect to understand and accept their responsibilities for realizing a successful project.
Building in today’s marketplace is a complex undertaking requiring many different products and skills. Your architect understands the
complexities and works with you to design an appropriate response to your requirements. In turn, your architect works in your interest
within the building industry and can help you greatly to transform the design into a wonderful home. Below are some frequently asked
questions from homeowners considering an architect for their building project:
1. At what point in the project should I bring an architect into the picture?
As early as possible. Architects can help you define the scope of the project and may also do site studies, help apply for zoning
and planning approvals, help locate sources of financing, and a variety of other pre-design services.
2. Should I consider more than one architect or firm?
Usually, yes. One obvious exception is when you already have a good relationship with an architect and it makes little sense to
change.
3. How many firms should I interview?
Most advice suggests interviewing three to five firms—enough to see the range of possibilities, but not so many that an already
tough decision will be further complicated. Make sure to give them equal time and access to your site and existing facilities.
4. What should I be on the lookout for when interviewing a firm?
During your interview with a firm, learn about their team and how they will approach your project. Ask what the firm sees as
the important issues for consideration in the project. Evaluate the firm’s style, personality, priorities, and approach: are they
compatible with yours?
5. What factors should I consider in making my decision about who to hire?
Ask each firm for references and follow up with those individuals to learn
more about others’ experiences. You may also want to visit existing projects
to see them in use. Evaluate the feeling of trust and rapport you felt with
each firm. Trust and communication can make or break a project. Ultimately,
personal confidence in your architect is paramount.
In the end, selection is a mutual process. The most thoughtful architects are as careful
in selecting their clients as owners are in selecting architects. They are as interested
in a successful project as you are, and they know that good architecture results
from fruitful collaboration between architects and clients.
Excerpted from “You and Your Architect,” published by The American Institute of Architects.

YOUR HOME IS
OUR PURPOSE
NEW CONSTRUCTION
RENOVATIONS
ADDITIONS
TELOSMN.COM

105 5th Avenue South, Suite 485
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.aia-mn.org