To encourage and reward builders, architects, and home owners to blend newly remodeled or constructed homes and businesses into the fabric of Minneapolis neighborhoods.  AND STARTING IN 2018...ST PAUL NEIGHBORHOODS TOO!
There is no project too small nor too big to BLEND!  Whether it’s an addition, new construction, new/redone outbuilding, landscape project, exterior facelift, or something else  – residential or commercial – any project (regardless of cost) can BLEND!
Homeowners - Don't be *that* house!
Are you a homeowner considering an additional or remodel?  Or undertaking a new construction project?  For a project of which you can be proud, and your neighbors and neighborhood will love, check out the BLEND Awards' Resources for Homeowners, including
Thanks to all who visited BLEND Awards booth at the 2018 Southwest Home Improvement Fair for tips & resources!


NEW IN 2018!
BLEND Awards is expanding to St. Paul!  In partnership with the Macalester-Groveland Community Council, building projects in St. Paul are now eligible to submit for a BLEND Award.  There will be a separate judging panel and separate Awards ceremony, but the online submission process & timeline will be the same as BLEND-Minneapolis.  Information and online submission will be centralized through the BLEND Awards website, www.blendaward.org.  Be sure to sign up for our email list to receive updates & the latest news!

Homeowner Outreach.  The BLEND Awards is implementing a homeowner outreach effort, including a booth at the SW Home Improvement Fair, a year-long series of ads & features in the Southwest Journal, a new section on our website, and increased social media action.  Our goal is help homeowners enhance our neighborhoods with BLEND-worthy projects by providing resources to them.  In addition to disseminating BLEND guidelines, our outreach highlights BLEND Award-winning architects & builders!
Congratulations to 2017 BLEND Award Winners!!  
Click here for a full list of winners and please visit the 2017 Gallery for more project photos!
Check out pictures from the 2017 Celebration, including all the winners!
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Irving Residence [BEST IN SHOW]
Lynnhurst N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Gabriel Keller, Peterssen/Keller Architecture
Kevin J Anderson, Kevin J Anderson Architecture Inc.
Builder: Marsden Building and Remodeling
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Irving Residence [BEST IN SHOW]
Lynnhurst N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Gabriel Keller, Peterssen/Keller Architecture
Kevin J Anderson, Kevin J Anderson Architecture Inc.
​Builder: Marsden Building and Remodeling
 
Urban Fit
Lowry Hill n’hood, Calhoun-Isles
Architect: Jean Rehkamp Larson, AIA and Sarah Nymo, AIA; Rehkamp Larson Architects
Builder: Reuter Walton Construction
 
Minnehaha Parkway Cottage
Ericsson Neighborhood, Longfellow
Designer: Bob Schmitt: designer; Laughing Waters Studio
Builder: D.T. Carlson Co.
Homeowner: Bob Schmitt and Greg Leier
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RENOVATION/ADDITION
Southern Exposure
Whittier N’hood, Powderhorn
Architect: Chris Christofferson & David Heide; David Heide Design Studio
Builder: Next Level Renovation
 
Lake Nokomis Garage Addition
Hale N’hood, Nokomis
Architect: Benjamin Braun; Braun Architects
Builder: Charlie's Angles
Homeowner: Marlo and Shawn Eilefson
 
York Residence
Linden Hills N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Lars Peterssen, Laura Cayere-King, Sarah St. Louis; Peterssen/Keller Architecture, Field Outdoor Spaces
Builder: Marsden Building and Remodeling
 
Cedar Lake Addition
Bryn Mawr N’hood, Calhoun-Isles
Architect: TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders
Builder: TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders
 
Newton Residence
Lynnhurst N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Ryan Fish, Lars Peterssen, Tommy Everson; Peterssen/Keller Architecture
Builder: ReuterWalton
 
Urban Cottage
Howe N’hood, Longfellow
Architect: Paul Buum, SALA Architects
Builder: Flynn Construction Inc.
 
Lake of the Isles Tudor Revival
East Isles N’hood, Calhoun-Isles
Architect: Christopher Strom, AIA; Christopher Strom Architects
Builder: Crown Construction
 
Colfax Residence
East Harriet N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Carl Olson, Gabriel Keller, Lars Peterssen; Peterssen/Keller Architecture
Builder: Marsden Building and Remodeling
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SMALL PROJECT (<$150,000)
Milwaukee Avenue Porch Reconstruction
Seward N’hood, Longfellow
Architect: Brad Belka / David Heide; David Heide Design Studio
Builder: Golliker Construction
 
Porch Addition
Armatage N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Benjamin Braun; Braun Architects
Builder: Charlie's Angles
Homeowner: Julie and Tom Gallant
 
1924 Bungalow Addition
Kingfield N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Rosemary McMonigal; McMonigal Architects
Builder: BPM Engineering - Phil Gerlach
Homeowner: Jan Norrander
 
A Glorious Garage
Lynnhurst N’hood, Southwest
Architect: Ann Carlson-Yunga, Dan Nepp; TEA2 Architects

COMMERCIAL
Birchwood Café
Seward N’hood, Longfellow
Architect: Wynne Yelland; LOCUS Architecture
Owner: Tracy Singleton
EcoBLEND BADGE
Birchwood Café
Seward N’hood, Longfellow
Architect: Wynne Yelland; LOCUS Architecture
Owner: Tracy Singleton



2017 BLEND & EcoBLEND Award Sponsors
Interested in sponsorship?  Contact dan@blendaward.org for sponsorship information.

BLEND/EcoBLEND GOLD Sponsors 
BLEND/EcoBLEND SILVER Sponsors
New in 2017!
Nominate your Neighbor!  
Do you know of a project or property that is BLEND-worthy?  Let us know about it!  We will send them a postcard and encourage them to submit the project for consideration of a 2017 BLEND Award!  See more details here!

Emphasis on small projects!  
​You don't have to have do a whole house re-model, or a new house or spend loads of money to be a BLEND winner!  A porch addition, a new entry, and even a garage have received BLEND Awards in the past.  In 2017, there will be special emphasis on small projects that improve a property and BLEND with the existing fabric of the neighborhood.  Be sure to submit projects of all sizes!!

New in 2016...and continuing for 2017
​A significant portion of BLEND/EcoBLEND submission is ONLINE!  In an effort to streamline the submission process, all materials except the display board & submission fee, will be submitted ONLINE this year.  (Please bear with us...there are bound to be hiccups in our first year, and we are eager for your feedback.)  For details on the updated submission process, click here.

Recognizing that the BLEND Awards is primarily focused on how a project blends with the existing fabric of the neighborhood, we have made several updates in the display board guidelines/requirements to ensure focus is on the exterior of a project and neighborhood context.  Additionally, interior designers are not to be part of a BLEND Award submission.

New in 2015...and continuing for 2016!
The BLEND Award committee is excited to announce two new components to the BLEND Awards!

Best in Show - For the first time, one project will be selected by the judges as "Best in Show" of all BLEND Award recipients!  The Best in Show winner will be highlighted on the BLEND webpage and in our outreach and press releases.

EcoBLEND Badge - The EcoBLEND Badge recognizes projects that incorporate eco-friendly design and sustainable building practices - but at a lower threshold than the full-blown EcoBLEND Award. The EcoBLEND Badge is intended to honor projects that not only represent good neighborhood design, but also go above & beyond building code and general expectations regarding the overall environmental 'footprint' of the project.  Click here for more on EcoBLEND badge.

Updated BLEND Guidelines - The BLEND Guidelines have been updated and simplified to be more widely applicable city-wide.  Check out the updated Guidelines here.
The BLEND Award organization recognizes that redevelopment of the residential parts of the neighborhood is both a given and a positive indicator for the neighborhood. Our goals are to 1) ensure that the redevelopment builds upon the qualities that have made Minneapolis a place where people have chosen to live for so many years, 2) ensure redevelopments respect the privacy, light access, private views of neighboring properties and maintain a human scale, and 3) encourage redevelopment and construction of homes that are diverse and innovative in design but still compatible with the neighborhood.

2017 BLEND & EcoBLEND Award Sponsors
Interested in sponsorship?  Contact dan@blendaward.org for sponsorship information.

BLEND/EcoBLEND GOLD Sponsors 
BLEND/EcoBLEND SILVER Sponsors
Thank you to our 2017 sponsors!!
Click here to join our email list!

2017 Submission Forms
[FYI only] For details on the 2017 submission process, including guidelines & forms to assist in preparing for electronic submission, click here.
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Past Award Recipients

Jurors