A hut in the north that celebrates sauna culture. Net zero new build. Small additions can make a world of difference.
This year’s “Home of the Month” winners in the annual Star Tribune/American Institute of Architects Minnesota competition show there’s more than one way to dream of great home design. Each month starting in June, we’ll spotlight one of her 12 award-winning homes as architects and homeowners take a behind-the-scenes look.
The 2024-2025 AIA Star Tribune “Home of the Month” honorees are:
ADU and above
Design team: Karl Gorey, AIA; Gray Space Architecture
A Minneapolis woman who believes in small home structures decided to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the Longfellow property. The architect and homeowners decided to reduce the square footage even further than the city would allow in order to blend seamlessly with the existing home and neighborhood. Still, ADUs loom large in designs that create a sense of spaciousness through the use of bump-outs, clerestory windows, double-height staircases, and more.
City Cottage Reimagined
Design team: Leffert Tigeler AIA; Peter Matheson.Janet Redel, TEA2 Architects
A couple loved their quaint lake home near Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, originally built as a summer fishing home. However, its poor layout was not suitable for entertaining. The result was a renovation and addition that included a mudroom, updated primary suite, and easy-to-enjoy amenities while paying homage to the home’s cottage history with marine millwork and mahogany finishes.
como garden side
Design team: Mark Larson, AIA; Kathleen Friederich, AIA.Rehkamp Larson Architects
For a family who loves to cook and entertain and are avid gardeners, adding a modest one-story addition to their 420-square-foot 1930s home in St. Paul fits their space needs while blending seamlessly with the original home. can be solved. The key was adding a mudroom, sunroom, and scullery that allowed her three access points to the backyard. A kitchen remodel improves flow and allows the family to enjoy one of their favorite pastimes.
Flower Valley Homestead
Design team: Beth Halstenson, AIA. Jackie Colpert, Allied ASID. Associate Professor Jen Wojciak, AIA; Lisa Antenucci, Allied ASID.Brigadier General Kurt Goff AIA; Shelter Construction
Set on a former apple orchard in the Red Wing area, this modern country home is designed with family gatherings, period living, and beautiful surroundings in mind. His three workstations for communal cooking and a lower-level walkout with a guest bedroom and bedroom suite are part of the design. On the other hand, the larger-than-life window arrangement allows for spectacular views.
guitar hero
Design team: Chris Strom, AIA. Eric Johnson, AIA. Rachel Alexander, AIA.Brett Biwer, Brigadier General AIA; Christopher Strom Architects
The active father-daughter duo wanted to build a home in south Minneapolis for themselves, their two dogs, and their collection of sporting goods and instruments. They found a small lot where the design team was able to maximize space, provide privacy, and carve out space for a tuck-under garage in an area where detached garages are common. . Clerestory windows, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a two-story stair hall let in plenty of natural light, while a rooftop deck further connects you to the outdoors.
Merriam Park Cottage Renewal
Design team: Todd Hansen, AIA. Jim Kuipers, AIA Associate Professor;Albertson Hansen Architecture and Interior Design
The modest 1.5-story home will be overhauled while maintaining its vintage feel. The addition to the 1916 St. Paul home increases the kitchen square footage, adds a small covered porch for easy access to the backyard, and expands the second floor to accommodate his three bedrooms. it was done. Free up existing spaces and improve circulation between gathering areas. White Shaker-style cabinetry and trim and tall windows add air and light.
mirror lake midcentury
Design team: Karl Olson, AIA; Christine Anderson, Brigadier General. AIA; Peter Atkins, Brigadier General; AIA; PKA architecture
The midcentury Edina Rambler’s “subtly luxurious” personality continues to shine through, while eliminating overlapping spaces to make room for an expansive owner’s suite, two home offices, a mudroom, and more. Moving the original staircase to improve circulation and arching the living room ceiling to create a light-filled space was a game-changer.
Net Zero and Pound Perfect
Design team: Eric Odor, AIA; with Alyssa Jachtfeld, AIA.sarah architects
The Bloomington site, located on a gently sloping prairie overlooking a pond, was the perfect opportunity to build a net-zero home. This all-electric, highly insulated home features triple-glazed windows, high-efficiency appliances, LED lighting, a solar panel roof, and a geothermal heat pump system to generate as much electricity as it consumes. Cedar wood accents and black corrugated metal help define the home’s elegance, as do a dream kitchen, two-story living and dining space, and a screened porch that maximizes outdoor views .
rod stuga
Design team: Paul Boom, AIA; Sara Architects
A grandmother wanted to be closer to her grandchildren, so she built a house across the street in south Minneapolis. She wanted a small footprint to prevent aging, and a play area for her grandchildren in mind. The result is an energy-efficient home with a red exterior, decorative railings, richly stained wood, and a blue tile fireplace surround that evokes the homeowners’ Swedish heritage. Meanwhile, a skylit loft, a modern take on traditional Scandinavian design, serves as a play area for the grandchildren.
Ski hills cabin and sauna
Design team: Karl Gorey, AIA; Gray Space Architecture
A couple went from frequent North Shore visitors to homeowners of a vintage A-frame chalet near Mount Lassen. That was just the beginning. They went on to build a colorful “Scandinavian village” of modern cabins, each with its own cedar sauna outbuilding. A slight rotation of the floor plan provides each cabin with privacy from its neighbors. Vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass doors, and a private covered deck offer views of the boreal forest.
DIY house
Design team: Michael Harra, AIA.studio hara
What happens when an architect with a passion for DIY builds a home from scratch for himself and his growing family? In this case, a “California Modernism of Trees” home primarily designed, contracted, and built by the architect. is. This North Oaks home not only takes care of everything from frame to factory, but also incorporates eco-elements like a green roof.
valdres
Design team: Chris Strom, AIA. Eric Johnson, AIA. Froukje Akkerman, AIA; Sydney Swift.Christopher Strom Architects
Made of metal, glass, and wood, this sculptural home exudes a “Scandinavian Zen” feel while providing the perfect backdrop for homeowners to display their extensive art collections. Set on a prairie in the eastern metro suburb of Grant, the home features walls of glass and design elements that frame views of the wetlands. Passive ventilation and local sourcing are also emphasized in the design.