Architecture & Design
Courtesy of Laurel Ulland Architecture
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What makes a great architect? Part designer, part engineer, part visionary, the phenomenal architect must be able to listen and interpret his or her clients’ wishes, think realistically (and optimistically), and achieve a vision that stands out as an aesthetic treasure. A great architect is conscious of the environment, the weather, the natural light, the views. A great architect designs buildings that make their clients’ lives not only more functional, but more meaningful and beautiful. We are fortunate to have so many talented architects in the local community, architects regularly receiving prestigious awards and national recognition for their residential and commercial work. Architects who, in our opinion, are truly great at what they do.
Murphy & Co. Design
About us:
From the renovation of a small lake cottage to the genesis of a large new estate residence, Murphy & Co. Design specializes in the creation of distinctive architecture. We combine your aesthetic aspirations and functional needs with our passionate pursuit of authentic & highly refined design to create a home that reflects you. Praised for our ability to design in a diverse range of architectural styles as well as our ability to truly listen to and engage our clients, we, as a team, work very hard to create lasting and enjoyable experiences.
Our style:
We are proud of the fact that we do not have a “signature” style. When we start a project, we listen closely to our clients and gain an understanding of what we call “the patterns” of their aesthetic taste. We then take these patterns and draw from a large vocabulary of architecture and meld them into our client’s home. The result often takes cues from one or two historical styles, and this—along with interpretations for modern day living—results in an authentic home personalized for each individual.
Our philosophy:
Murphy & Co. lives and breathes a culture that encompasses integrity, innovation, respect, creativity, no ego, diversity, fun, passion and the pursuit of excellence. Our entire team understands and portrays these characteristics on a daily basis.
Our design process:
In 2011, our office developed a system that we commonly refer to as our “Road Map to Success.” This starts at the first design meeting and ends with our clients dreams transformed into reality. With this system, expectations are set early on with no surprises along the way. As one of our clients just told us, “I never imagined how much fun it would be to design a home!”
Minneapolis, MN
763-682-9294
www.murphycodesign.com
PURE Design Environments
What sets your firm apart from the competition?
As architects, planners, designers, product developers and brand strategists, we take an integrated team approach to each design and build project. As dedicated masters of our individual crafts, each member of this award-winning team lends their sensibilities and experience to the process. We also have an extensive network of vendors, contractors, subs, and tradespeople that we have grown to trust and regularly call upon. This culmination of talents translates into our ability to offer clients an unrivaled breadth of products and services. The results of our efforts have been published in a great number of magazines over the years, and we are proud to have been recognized by our peers, receiving 24 regional and national awards in 2012 alone.
Our favorite part of the architectural process:
The best part of the architectural process is the opportunity to innovate and become “thought leaders” in crafting unique buildings and environments. In our increasingly virtual world, we strive to demonstrate that there are still endless possibilities in tangible, physical spaces and objects.
Our history:
Our team has over 25 years of experience in architectural planning, execution, and unique architectural solutions, including hotels, municipal buildings, specialty retail, manufacturing, and residential. In our years of working in this industry, we have consistently crossed the boundary between architecture and design. Constantly crossing those boundaries ensures that we produce great projects. Over time we have developed a team of people who share our vision and business philosophy.
You might not realize…
we design and develop products for manufacturing, and consult as owners’ representatives, working with brand development and redevelopment. It’s an exhilarating part of the architectural process and a unique way to create.
Eden Prairie, MN
952-224-1231
www.jaquebethke.com
Rehkamp Larson Architects
Our history:
Mark Larson and Jean Rehkamp Larson met in architecture school. In 2000, after working independently for 10 years, getting married and having two children, they founded Rehkamp Larson Architects, dedicated to residential design. They have completed design projects nationally, regionally, and just around the corner.
Our style:
Our style is refined, energetic, and engaging. The houses we design reflect the unique personalities of each client. We bring warmth to modernism and a fresh eye to traditional design.
Our philosophy:
A house should comfortably support our daily lives, while being beautiful, durable, and filled with natural sunlight. The addition or renovation of an existing house should be seamless so that in the end it feels as though it has always been a coherent whole. And a house should improve its site, neighborhood, and community.
Our inspiration:
We find inspiration by engaging in our own creative outlets—oil painting, watercolor, writing poetry, and photography.
The Rehkamp Larson advantage:
We offer excellent service. We’re great listeners, creative thinkers, and innovative problem-solvers, combining the art and science of architecture on our clients’ behalf. We translate and communicate their hopes, dreams, vision, and budgets into a buildable reality.
Minneapolis, MN
612-285-7275
www.rehkamplarson.com
Tea2 Architects
TEA2 Architects
About us:
With 34 years of experience, we have the creative talent and expertise to run the gauntlet of full architectural services from conceptual design through thorough technical work, bid-letting and analysis, and construction observation. We are experts in site design, interior architecture, lighting design, cabinetry, and furniture design. Since our inception, we have specialized in single-family residential architecture with a balance of projects between new homes and renovations/additions. We have a breadth and depth of service that not many firms have—breadth in terms of the types of projects we’ve been honored to design nationwide; and depth in project design, construction, and administration.
Our design philosophy:
We create personal, functional spaces that blend seamlessly with the surrounding land with great access, views, and daylight. We study the site and the context closely so the home is designed simultaneously from the inside out and the outside in, making it feel very natural in its setting—like it’s always been there.
We take this approach from the largest concepts down to the smallest details. Our goal is to have the work come off as timeless due to the quality and thoughtfulness of the approach.
What services do you provide during construction?
Prior to construction, we go through a very informative bidding process to find the best contractors and subcontractors for the project and the homeowner. The process takes into account cost, timeline, and quality of work. This ensures competitive pricing and a home of the highest quality, both in design and construction. We act as the owner’s agent during the entire construction process to ensure the quality of construction and execution of the design come to fruition.
Focus on sustainability:
For over three decades, we’ve fought for quality design work that incorporates broader values including historical sensitivity, neighborhood sensitivity, durability, longevity, and life-affirming qualities. We believe that our entire built environment should be viewed in the context of sustainability, both in the building process as well as our cultural potential.
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Those are all beautiful places! I am a big fan of architecture and one day I would like to live in houses like this. Very simple, but very practical. Recently I have found an article about intriguing houses in Toronto and I have set my goal to build one day a house like that. Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed reading your post.