Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in -Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in -Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial-in-Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial-in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial- in- Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial-in-Charge
Nate Dodge

Built in the 1970’s, this Mediterranean style ranch walk-out is typical of its rolling western Edina neighborhood. The home is wonderfully sized and did not need any additional square feet. With a 3-car garage, living, dining, kitchen, laundry, mudroom, powder, generous entry, and family room all on the main floor, the house met all the client’s needs for space.

The organization and flow through these spaces however, was a product of the times. The rooms were divided and separate; the kitchen cramped and dark; the connection to the outdoors was limited; and the finishes were tired. The Mediterranean character was expressed with textured stucco, and a series of arches across the front that were never fully realized. The arch over the front entry seemed additive and without conviction.

We transformed the exterior of the home and the entry with a few simple, mostly material moves. This was done by strengthening the arch motif. By removing the applied stucco arch and recladding the 4 portals across the front façade with warm wood and entry sidelight glass, the homes weaknesses are now its defining features. Instead of a drawback for the owners, it is an expression of who they are.

The main floor was rebuilt with an open floor plan, placing the kitchen at the center of the gathering space. This gave view to the backyard for the first time. A new stretched pinwheel island affords place to cook, eat, study, and gather. While the island anchors all this activity, it also responds to (inflects) and connects the still distinct spaces of the main floor; dining, living, entry, mudroom, and family rooms, all without adding a foot to the size of the home.

Location: Edina, MN

Project Team:
Ben Awes, AIA, Principial-in-Charge
Nate Dodge