Minnesota may be known for its lakes, but it’s the homes, cabins, and gathering places tucked beside them—and within cities, forests, and prairies—that remind us of the quiet beauty and creative spirit that surround us. In this year’s 22nd annual Residential Architects Vision & Excellence (RAVE) Awards, 23 winning projects by Twin Cities firms reflect a remarkable range of scale, style, and intent—from modest backyard dwellings to multigenerational homes, from bold rooflines to delicate detailing. Yet all share a clear sense of purpose and a strong connection to place, achieved through site-sensitive design, enduring materials, and spaces that support the rituals of daily life.
Selected by a national jury of architects and design professionals, this year’s honorees show how thoughtful architecture can shape more meaningful living—say, by reworking a 1980s suburban kitchen, framing a view of the woods through a well-placed window, or crafting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) filled with warmth and efficiency. Together, they stand as a testament to the architectural talent that helps make our state so special.
Courtyard/Lake Home
First Place: Christian Dean Architecture
New Home, 1,500–3,500 Sq Ft
Set on a Lake Minnetonka peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, this retreat—shared by two families as a second home—balances prospect and refuge through a thoughtful courtyard plan. The courtyard offers refuge—a protected, private space shielded from nearby marina traffic and blustery weather—while the second-floor roof terrace provides prospect, with long views of the shoreline beyond a low wall. “It’s a rare and thoughtful response to a unique site—marrying privacy and openness through careful geometry,” one judge remarked. Originally intended as a partial renovation, the project became a full rebuild after it was discovered the existing structure sat not on footings but on a floating slab. The new design follows the original U-shaped footprint, with a second level added where zoning allowed.
The Christian Dean Architecture team: Christian Dean, AIA; Jessica Harner, AIA; Julian Menne; Ali Karlen // Builder: Hoxie Homes and Remodeling // Interior Design: Christian Dean Architecture // Landscape Architecture: Travis Van Liere Studio
Second Place: Cypress and Bluestone // Christopher Strom Architects
Crescendo
First Place: CityDeskStudio
New Home, 3,500–5,500 Sq Ft
Inspired by Louis Kahn’s belief that great architecture rises with purpose, this modern home on Minnehaha Creek in St. Louis Park creates a powerful sense of place through its deep connection to a treasured piece of land. The wife, who grew up in a home on the lot with her sister, and the husband, an architecture enthusiast who admires Kahn, envisioned a light-filled single-level home where they could age gracefully in place with the wife’s sister. The architectural team incorporated every one of their wishes, including a shared front door, a creative studio, space to display their books and art, and a private apartment for the sister. Among the home’s most distinctive features are roof planes elevated in three places, with clerestory windows that bring light deep into the interior.
The CityDeskStudio team: Ben Awes, AIA; Chris Bach, AIA; Olivia Solari; Dan Winden; Perri Kinsman // Builder: Ridge Construction
Second Place: Wausau Homestead // PKA Architecture
Whitefish Lake House
First Place: Imprint Architecture and Design
New Home, More Than 5,500 Sq Ft
Although set on the shore of Cross Lake in Minnesota’s Whitefish Chain of Lakes, this home channels the idea that “Up North” is as much a feeling as a place—one rooted in escape and connection to nature. A two-story glass volume forms the heart of the house, creating openness and visual access to all sides of the property, not just the lakefront. Flanking stone gable forms ground the structure and nod to traditional cabin materials, while modern detailing and durable finishes reflect the homeowners’ desire for longevity and low maintenance. Inside, the layout supports aging in place and multigenerational living with accessible main-floor spaces and private upstairs quarters for extended family.
The Imprint Architecture and Design team: Jeremy Imhoff, AIA; Sara Imhoff, AIA; Patrick Moe, AIA // Builder: Lands End Development // Interior Design: Lands End Development
Second Place: The Overlook at O’Dowd // Unfold Architecture
Orono Residence
First Place: North Arrow Architecture
Remodel/Addition, More Than 3,500 Sq Ft
After living in their farmhouse for more than 15 years, these homeowners were ready for a change—but they couldn’t find anywhere as beautiful as their wooded property. The architect’s design gave their home a second chance, transforming it through a series of strategic, Jenga-like moves that boosted natural light and deepened its connection to the landscape. A light-filled kitchen with windows on three sides now sits above a lower-level garage, while the office feels like a tree house and the sauna enjoys wetland views. “This remodel captures the spirit of the original house but offers a really lovely update and upgrade,” one judge said.
The North Arrow Architecture team: Carl Olson, AIA // Builder: Frontier Custom Builders // Landscape Design and Construction: Topo
Second Place: Lakeside Connection // Rehkamp Larson Architects
Pondside
First Place: Christopher Strom Architects
Remodel/Addition, 800–3,500 Sq Ft
Community was the reason the clients chose to stay in their Eden Prairie home of 44 years—and one of those community ties was with their architect, who grew up two doors down and whose grandfather built the original house. Ready to update their 1980s structure, they envisioned a space that supported aging in place and embraced views of the backyard pond. A 14-foot addition expanded the kitchen and added a mudroom, pantry, and office. New windows and a skylight bring in natural light and frame views of the landscape they’ve long cherished.
The Christopher Strom Architects team: Christopher Strom, AIA; Eric Johnson, AIA; John Bergford, AIA // Builder: Crown Construction Company // Interior Design: Ruth Johnson Interiors
Second Place: Bassett Creek // Keep
Blue Note
First Place: SALA Architects
Remodel/Addition, Less Than 800 Sq Ft
This renovation feels especially personal—it’s the architect’s own home. Located on a large lot in a charming St. Paul neighborhood, the house had character but needed vision to suit a family of five. The transformation began with an upper-floor expansion in 2012 and more recently focused on reworking the home’s back/north side. There, a small kitchen, bath, and bedroom were reimagined as an open kitchen and family room. A steel beam and column allow for the open plan; though modern in design, they’re painted white to echo the historic box beams at the front of the house. Whitewashed floors, white cabinets, and whitewashed wood paneling brighten the north-facing room, while touches of warm wood keep the space cozy.
The SALA Architects team: David O’Brien Wagner, AIA // Builder: Showcase Carpentry // Interior Design: SALA Architects
Second Place: Tudor Reawakened // TEA2 Architects
Sunflower
First Place: Christopher Strom Architects
Remodel or Outbuilding Less Than 800 Sq Ft
Nicknamed “Sunflower” for its bright yellow exterior, this 715-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in St. Paul brings modern warmth and light to a compact backyard space. Thanks to an existing detached garage, both levels center on living rather than parking. Radiant-heated polished concrete floors contrast with muted green kitchen cabinetry, while carefully placed windows and skylights welcome daylight throughout. Sustainable features include structural insulated panels (SIPs) that minimized construction waste, provide a highly insulated assembly, and help reduce outdoor noise in the urban setting.
The Christopher Strom Architects team: Christopher Strom, AIA; Eric Johnson, AIA; Isaiah Scharen, Associate AIA // Builder: Über Built
Second Place: Backyard Bungalow // SALA Architects
The Overlook at O’Dowd
First Place (Tie): Unfold Architecture
Remodel or New Outdoor Living
Outdoor living is central to this modern retreat on O’Dowd Lake in Shakopee (top right), which was designed to tread lightly on the land. Set on a wooded lot, the home uses a bridge entry to span a sunken courtyard, which minimized excavation and elevated the home’s main level to preserve views. A screen porch with a double-sided fireplace, operable screens, and built-in heaters offers a cozy place to relax, entertain, and enjoy the landscape well beyond the summer months. Close by, lake-facing patios and a firepit encourage outdoor gathering, while native prairie restoration reduces maintenance and supports sustainability goals.
The Unfold Architecture team: Mike Gray, AIA; Greg Vose, AIA; Jack Peterson, AIA // Builder: Mersch Construction // Interior Design: Sustainable 9 Design + Build
Nantucket Re-creation
First Place (Tie): Tea2 Architects
Remodel or New Outdoor Living
Following the dramatic renovation of their shingle-style Wayzata home (bottom right), these clients and their architectural team turned their attention to the landscape, transforming a wide lawn into a series of outdoor rooms designed for daily rituals and large gatherings alike. Stone terraces cascade from the home, introducing subtle shifts in grade that define distinct zones while maintaining visual openness. Garden follies, including a new outdoor kitchen with a gracefully sweeping roofline, add structure and charm. Plantings were selected for texture, color, and seasonal variety, softening the geometry of the hardscape and creating a layered look that evolves throughout the year.
The TEA2 Architects team: Dan Nepp, AIA; Petra Schwartze, AIA // Builder: Anderson Reda // Interior Design: Weldon Interiors // Landscape Design and Construction: Topo
Valdres Stair
First Place (Tie): Christopher Strom Architects
Design Detail
This staircase marks a transition from upper-level living to a lower-level art gallery of a new home at White Oaks Savanna near Stillwater—a calm, elegant shift from daily life to private sanctuary. Its construction required close collaboration between the architects, builder, structural engineer, welder, and interior designer. Fabricated off-site, the steel stair was turned on its side and slid through a window after the surrounding walls were completed. The continuous wood handrail drapes over the steel framework fitted with glass panels, which are attached by aluminum button fasteners. The landing—self- supporting, with no columns—appears to float within the gallery.
The Christopher Strom Architects team: Christopher Strom, AIA; Eric Johnson, AIA // Builder: Redstone Builders // Interior Design: InUnison Design // Landscape Architecture: Travis Van Liere Studio
Wings Up Stair
First Place (Tie): Rehkamp Larson Architects
Design Detail
Curved forms add a rhythmic counterpoint to the crisp geometry of this Wichita, Kansas, home. One such element is the sculptural stair adjacent to a daylight-filled entry that leads to a lower-level family and game room—its sweeping, Art Deco–inspired form echoes in floating shelves, cabinetry, soffits, and lighting throughout the home. “This is one of those ideas that seems like an easy design solution until you try to document and actually build it,” one judge remarked. “The level of difficulty here is quite high, and I have to hand it to this team for a flawless execution.”
The Rehkamp Larson team: Jean Rehkamp Larson, AIA; Ryan Bicek, AIA; Laurel Johnston, AIA; Corey Pederson, AIA // Builder: Hutton // Interior Design: Barbara Clayton Design
Second Place: Exposed Structural Steel frame // Rehkamp Larson Architects
Little Cabin in the Woods
First Place: Imprint Architecture and Design
Judges’ Choice
Travelers by nature, a family of five sought a permanent getaway—and found it on a wooded lot in Ely, where their architectural team carefully sited a 1,100-square-foot cabin that required the removal of only one tree. Inspired by classic A-frames, its distinctive roofline sheds snow, shelters the entrance, and enhances the vaulted interior. Built in just five months, the cabin includes a screen porch, a woodstove, and a picture window seat that frames forest views. Energy-efficient windows, radiant heating, and a tight thermal envelope support year-round use, while subtle green accents echo the surrounding pine trees.
The Imprint Architecture and Design team: Jeremy Imhoff, AIA; Sara Imhoff, AIA; Patrick Moe, AIA // Builder: Wilson Home Builders // Interior Design: Imprint Architecture and Design
Second Place: Breuer Guest Suites // SALA Architects
The Pines
First Place: SALA Architects
Architectural Plans
One of six rental cabins planned for a 13-acre site near the Wisconsin Dells, The Pines is designed to immerse guests in a serene grove of mature pine trees. A gravel drive leads to a small parking area, where an elevated boardwalk begins the transition into the forest. A glass-walled entry frames views through the cabin and into the woods beyond while marking the divide between two distinct wings. One wing holds the main living area and a bedroom suite; the other, set perpendicularly, contains a second suite. Floor-to-ceiling glass connects the interior to the landscape, while strong metal-clad walls that visually separate the two wings provide privacy and visual contrast. A large bifolding door opens onto a generous deck, inviting guests out into the pines.
The SALA Architects team: Alyssa Jagdfeld, AIA; Isaiah Scharen, Associate AIA
Second Place: Ledge Tower // SALA Architects
RAVE 2025 Judges
Michael Bjornberg, AIA, is a nationally recognized architect at LEO A DALY with more than 35 years of experience designing civic, public, and academic buildings. His notable work includes the Minnesota State Capitol restoration, the American Swedish Institute’s Nelson Cultural Center, the Historic Fort Snelling Visitor Center, and numerous buildings at the University of Notre Dame. Behind his project work, Bjornberg teaches at the University of Minnesota College of Design and serves on the American Swedish Institute Collections Committee.
Katherine Chia, FAIA, is co-founder of New York-based Desai Chia Architecture. Her firm’s honors include the Architizer A+ Award for Best Small Firm in 2025, inclusion in Forbes’ Top 200 Residential Architects in 2025, and an Architect magazine ranking of No. 19 in the U.S. for design excellence. A Fellow of the AIA who was featured in The Women Who Changed Architecture (Princeton Architectural Press), she serves on multiple boards, including the Center for Architecture and the International Center of Photography.
Matthew Coates, AIA, is founder of Seattle-based Coates Design Architects + Interiors. He prides himself in architecture rooted in place making, where each design emerges from a thoughtful understanding of the site, the people who will inhabit it, and the story it seeks to tell. Whether designing a modern waterfront home, a civic building, or a remote retreat, Coates brings a precise balance of technical rigor and human-centered design. He notes that light, material, and landscape aren’t just elements in his work but active participants in shaping experience.
Amy Panos is deputy editor of Home Design at Better Homes & Gardens magazine, where she covers design trends, DIY projects, and organization strategies. She previously has served in editorial roles at Creative Home and Traditional Home magazines. Panos has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s in art history from the University of Iowa.
Presenting Sponsor: The recipients of this year’s RAVE Awards were recognized at an event in August presented by John Kraemer & Sons. Since 1978, this family-owned, multigenerational business has established a reputation for building and remodeling some of the finest architecturally designed luxury homes in the state. Its collaborative, transparent, and ethical approach has earned its being named Builder of the Year a record four times by Housing First Minnesota.
Supporting Sponsors
Deckorators, Twin Cities Closet Company, and Lelch
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