Steel was swinging through the air this morning at the Northfield School of Arts and Technology.

Two new teaching studios are taking shape now that the structure is being erected. This summer’s heavy rains delayed the project twice, forcing re-digging of the foundation trenches. That is behind now, and full occupancy of the addition is expected in October.

Our work caught the eye of Redoux Home magazine, which published this project in their March/April 2011 issue.

With our help, the Northfield Community Action Center is getting a face lift!

This is the Clothes Closet’s expanded sales area, with new changing rooms, additional housewares display, new carpet and a fresh coat of paint. It will be more hospitable to guests and more functional for staff, volunteers, and donors.

The Food Shelf is also undergoing some changes. Working closely with staff, we developed a plan that will really help the program both behind the scenes and in daily operational efficiency. We used a graduated color scheme to bring down the apparent height of the space to maintain the corner-grocery feel of the space while providing warehouse-style shelving. Flow will be greatly improved, with a logical arrangement of merchandise, additional cooler and freezer space, and a holding area for up to six pallets at a time.

When construction is complete, stop by and see the new look!

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!

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.

We had the opportunity over spring break to tour a project we’d designed a couple of years ago. It was a walk-out basement on Circle Lake that needed finishing. When the house was designed and built, not much forethought was given to the basement layout and the proposed floor plan just wasn’t going to work well for the owners. A complication was the plumbing: the rough-ins weren’t exactly where we’d have liked them, and the radiant in-floor heat made tearing up the floor (to relocate the plumbing) a poor solution.

In the end, we found a way to get the bar where we wanted it and worked around the plumbing issue. 3-D computer modeling brought the possibilities to life, allowing the owners to understand the flow of the rooms, the sight lines and creative finishes. They now have a stunning entertaining space, two kids’ bedrooms and shared bath, a game room and a bathroom easily accessible from the outdoors for their lower level.

The bar is certainly the focal point, and the owner set the stone and tile himself. A skilled mason, the work echoes the stone on the home’s exterior, which blends the inside and outside, making a great visual as well as physical connection. Taking the time to do things right is evident in this project: the granite countertop was custom fabricated, the slate tile was laid in a pattern, and all the stone layouts were planned before setting began. Left to do: appliances and a game table.

Not every homeowner has the skills or time to install so much of their own project. We can help you decide how much you’d like to tackle and then we’ll help find craftspeople to do the rest. And we’ll get them the drawings and information they need to understand the vision we created together.

Watch the “portfolio” section of our website as we add more photos of the project. And let us know how we can help you.

Just read a research summary from the University of Minnesota’s InformeDesign that discussed the apparent difference in aesthetic preferences between architects and building users. To cut to the quick:

Based on the report, building design that would satisfy both architects and building users would include:

I invite you to check out our portfolio; you’ll find that our projects appeal to both the users and the architect!

Progress continues on this Lake Byllesby remodel.

The Owner is doing much of the work himself, taking his time and enjoying the process. The winter months will be spent working on the interior of the home.

VIVUS has and can tackle variances, tight sites, existing footings above the frost line, grade issues and convenants. We enjoy the challenge and delight in the satisfaction of our clients.

John Tripp’s work is coming along well on East Fourth Street in Northfield. This project expands the existing kitchen and provides space for an entryway, laundry facilities, and a bathroom. The addition is on the right side, behind the pickup truck.

As with may historic renovation projects, this one had its challenges. Limited space on site, unknown existing structure capacity, existing plumbing and electrical, and the desire to add significant amenities to the home.

The small addition takes its cues from the front porch, staying low and discreet. Details from the existing home are replicated for a good fit. The final shape is the result of multiple study options of smaller additions. Kudos to our client for understanding the interior value a larger exterior addition afforded: ample dining area, efficient kitchen, and reasonable other spaces inside. This decision cost more upfront but will result in more functional space and no future remodeling to this area.

Our architectural design services can help improve your home, whether in Northfield, Lonsdale, Minneapolis, or London!