SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONCome see the difference that design can make
AIA Minnesota’s fourth annual home tour on September 17 and 18 offers an intimate view of some of the most distinctive new homes in the Twin Cities and beyond. The best part? The architects are onsite to answer any questions you may have about the homes or the design process in general.
Architecture Minnesota has previewed the Homes by Architects Tour each year since its debut in 2008, and there’s been a common theme to our coverage: Come see the difference that design can make. And each year, Homes by Architects tour-goers head home late Sunday afternoon having seen just that. But what exactly is the difference? What are some of the core characteristics that distinguish the best architect-designed homes from houses on other tours? We’re glad you asked.
Homes by Architects houses—new, expanded, or renovated—weren’t designed to go just anywhere; they don’t come in one of three or seven or a dozen plans. These homes were conceived for their owners, their sites, and their neighborhoods. They feature unique living spaces arranged for optimal comfort, flow, and natural light. They embody a much wider range of authentic styles—from traditional to contemporary to rigorously modern—than you’ll find on any other tour. And they embrace eco-friendly materials and systems, from the common-sense variety to the cutting-edge.
And here’s the kicker: They come in all sizes, budgets, and settings. You needn’t have a sprawling lakeside property or a teeming savings account to work with an architect, a truth to which these homes can attest. So come and get ideas for that family room addition you’ve been planning, or that kitchen renovation you’ve been considering. Chat with the experts who can bring the most value and enjoyment to your investment. Inspiration like this only comes around once a year.
—Christopher Hudson, American Institute of Architects, editor, Architecture Minnesota
