Don't let summer and fall slip away. This is the perfect time to get started with your new home, cabin or renovation design. Let the experts at Clever Architecture guide you through the process of making your dreams a reality. Our architects can help you select and evaluate a home or property, create stunning designs that reflect your values, and facilitate the best possible construction solutions. Give us a call today at 651 | 302 | 0420 or email us at Russ@CleverArchitecture.com
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Principals at Clever Architecture in Saint Paul Minnesota have been creating great homes for decades. Our inspiration comes from our unique client's individual and family perspective. Our work includes executive and estate homes, additions and remodels, smaller homes, and cabins. We'd love to meet with you and discover your unique vision. Email us at info@cleverarchitecture.com
#home #homes #minnesota #minneapolis #minnetonka #saintpaul #stpaul #edina #edenprairie #saintmichael #eagan #woodbury #minnesotahomes Visiting a client's new lake home renovation, I was inspired by the still summerness of the Minnesota lakes environment. Minnesota has so many opportunities for calm and relaxing spaces. The colors we choose can reinforce that spirit, especially if they are linked to the environment around us - water, sky, rocks, reeds, beach, trees, grass. How do we reinterpret that? This question made me think back to an art piece from the Chihuly museum. The interloping of blues and greens with summer yellow accent was a perfect interpretation of summer and water in Minnesota.
(Look at the yellow above. It is the same color in each sample. Notice how the other colors around it can change the perception of that color. The light and shadows of your environment can also shift the color. Our color experts at Clever Architecture can help you with those selections.) 1. Hire An Architect Before Buying PropertyA realtor has many strengths, but an experienced architect can see the pitfalls and the possibilities of a property pertaining to your needs. Instead of falling in love with a piece of land or property that may be unbuildable, check with your architect first. 2. You Need A Builder Who Understands Soil And PeopleThe builder is everything to a successful home construction project, especially in Minnesota. Because of our complex soils and freeze thaw cycles, it is necessary to have a builder that works locally and understands the land. Additionally, you want a builder who has great project management skills and positive relationships with major subcontractors. It's about understanding people and the land. 3. Minnesota Has Four Construction SeasonsMinnesota has four construction seasons. They are: Freezing Your Buns Off, Wet And Mucky, Mosquito Time, and Hunting And Fishing. This is how your home will get built. It will respond to each of these seasons. Materials may not be able to be delivered because of the muddy road. Winter construction can happen, but at a considerable increase in cost and slow down in schedule. Construction near water, low lands, and forests during the mosquito season can be a challenge for everybody - especially hours of work. There are several hunting and fishing seasons. Many contractors partake and will leave a job site no matter the current amount of work needing to be done. You need to plan ahead and be prepared. 4. Trees Need Way More Protection Than You ThinkThe land in general must be taken into consideration in Minnesota, especially our plantings. We are famous for our trees and forests. Large, mature trees or even important smaller tress must be given very wide berth for construction or soil compaction can destroy the tree. We suggest that a clear demarcation of at least the drip line of the tree be given for construction sites. This can hamper materials movement, so site usage planning is important. 5. Houses Are For Keeping Out WeatherAmong other things, we build houses to keep out the weather. Minnesota has a big weather range. Construction, design, and detailing of a home is primarily about protecting you and your loved ones from the weather. Yes, it's about family and human connection, but in Minnesota keeping your family safe from the weather is a primary consideration. Weather will also affect construction timing, schedule and materials. Make sure you have a builder and an architect who understand the nature of weather in Minnesota. EpilogueIn all seriousness, homes are for building strong family relationships, providing respite and for community with friends. These are your first priorities. However, a home owner/builder must pay particular attention to the five items above (especially in Minnesota) or the more important familial things will never come to fruition successfully.
Give us a call at 651 | 302 | 0420 or email us at info@cleverarchitecture.com for more information. Russell Peterson | 14 May 2015 |
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