Work is underway on a porch addition in rural Northfield. This new room on the existing deck offers an escape from the bugs of summer and wide views of the landscape. An extension of the great room, this new space is already booked for its first sleep-over!

Last week we attended a special celebration at a client’s home. The house turned 100, the owner turned 50 and the remodeling work we designed is complete! What better reason for a party?

It was great to see the faces of the other guests as they toured the remodeled second and third floors. Our design converted the attic into an insulated entertainment room with access to the roof-top, tub and 3/4-bath. On the second floor, we remodeled for a new bathroom and access to the porch via the new butler’s pantry. The homeowners gained both more space to use and more useable space!

Thanks for the good time and good project, Warren and Deborah!

VIVUS is now accepting design commissions for construction projects starting in Spring 2011!

Make use of fall and winter to plan your improvement or new construction project. Our designers will guide you through both design and construction, helping you get the best value for your dollar.

We welcome your call! 507-649-0785

VIVUS Architecture + Design supports our community through volunteering. We track those hours that occur during normal business hours.
We are pleased to report that in each of the last two years, VIVUS staff have contributed over 185 hours to local causes including

Rotary International

Knights of Columbus

Northfield School of Arts and Technology

Northfield Enterprise Center

Northfield Environmental Quality Commission

Northfield Land Use Advisory Group

Boy Scouts of America

A sincere “Thank You!” to all our clients; you have helped us help Northfield be a better place to live!

The 2010 Northfield Area Home Remodeling Tour is on Facebook! Check it out!

This is a great way to get ideas, see beautiful spaces, and learn who can help improve your home locally!

Here is another case of a little addition that accomplishes big things for the homeowner.

This historic home needed a list of improvements on the first floor: an updated kitchen, dining area, laundry area, three-quarter bath, and a back entry that fits the architecture. It also came with a list of challenges: limited site area, finished space above (hinders plumbing routes), and a limited budget.

Our solution added only about 100 square feet of heated space, plus an entry porch. Through creative use of space and spatial definition strategies, we added everything on the owner’s wish list, plus a tiled entry and closet. The owner is very pleased with the results. Here is part of an e-mail I received from them last week:

I’ll have to add that {we} are absolutely delighted with your vision of what could happen in an addition. We keep chuckling about the fact that we came close to having an attached outhouse and now we has a lovely kitchen, laundry area and bath.

Small, carefully planned additions can help your house fit better without breaking the bank. We can help with vision and implementation, and we welcome your call.

Owatonna has a great architectural treasure. On a recent visit I stopped here, at the old National Farmer’s Bank Building. Designed in 1908, by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan, this bank has been called the most beautiful bank in the world.

It is a carefully proportioned building, whose apparent design simplicity is enhanced by terra cotta tiles inside and out. It is a pleasure to view and visit, awash with natural light inside and richly embellished in every detail.

Tours are available regularly, or you can just drop in during banking hours. Here is a PDF with more details.

Celebrate American architecture with a visit to Owatonna!