To encourage and reward builders, architects, and home owners to blend newly remodeled or constructed homes and businesses into the fabric of Minneapolis neighborhoods. 
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!
SUBMISSIONS FOR 2017 BLEND AWARD ARE OPEN!
Click here for submission details.

Mark your calendars now!

BLEND Awards Ceremony
Monday, September 25, 2017; 7-9 pm
Fulton Brewery & Tap Room; 414 N 6th Ave, Mpls
Keynote Speaker:  Denis Gardner, MN State Historic Preservation Office 

Join us for the live announcement of 2017 BLEND & EcoBLEND Award Recipients!  It will be, as always, a fun night honoring the work of builders & architects doing great work to blend their projects into our Minneapolis neighborhoods. 

We are thrilled to have Dennis Gardner of MN State Historic Preservation Office as our keynote speaker.  Mr. Gardner is the author of the forthcoming book, Our Minnesota State Capitol: from Groundbreaking through Restoration, and will speak about the history of this remarkable public building.  With insider stories and historical photos, we are all sure to learn something about this grand architectural center of civic action, and how the building itself represents who we all are as Minnesotans.
 
​ Food is provided and Fulton beer is available for purchase.
New for 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!!

Submissions for 2017 BLEND Award are OPEN!

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

BLEND/EcoBLEND GOLD Sponsors 
BLEND/EcoBLEND SILVER Sponsors
Congratulations to the 2016 BLEND Award winners!
Visit the gallery for more photos!
Picture
2016 BLEND BEST IN SHOW
​Kenwood Shingle Style
  • Architect/designer: Dan Nepp, Steve Nordgaard, Aaron Frazier,
  •                                TEA2 Architects
  • Builder:                   Choice Wood Company


ADDITION/REMODEL
Creekside Craftsman-Style Addition
  • Architect/designer:            TreHus Architects
  • Builder:                        TreHus Architects
 
Craftsman Cottage Addition & Remodel
  • Architect/designer:            Dan Nepp, AIA, TEA2 Architects
  • Builder:                        Jack Carter - Uberbuilt, Inc.
 
Kenwood Park Exterior Remodel
  • Architect/designer:            TreHus Architects
  • Builder:                        TreHus Architects
 
East Isles Residence
  • Architect/designer:            Andrew Edwins, Lars Peterssen, Gabriel Keller, Peterssen/Keller Architecture
  • Builder:                        Reuter Walton
 
Lynnhurst Colonial
  • Architect/designer:            Lars Peterssen, Laura Cayere-King, Brent Nelson, Peterssen/Keller Architecture
  • Builder:                        Gary Meichels, G.S. Meichels Construction 
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Kenwood Shingle Style [BEST IN SHOW]
  • Architect/designer:            Dan Nepp, Steve Nordgaard, Aaron Frazier, TEA2 Architects
  • Builder:                        Choice Wood Company
 
Green Homes North; Near Net Zero
  • Architect/designer:            Jay H Isenberg, Isenberg+Associates; Phil Rader, NVIZEON
  • Builder:                        Benoz Homes Inc.
  • Homeowner:                        Gary Schollmeier
 
Zenith Residence
  • Architect/designer:            Gabriel Keller, Bob Le Moine, Theo Grothe, Peterssen/Keller Architecture
  • Builder:                        Reuter Walton
 
Lowry Hill Infill
  • Architect/designer:            Colby Mattson, Charlie & Co Design, Ltd.
  • Builder:                        Kroiss Development
 
Isles Craftsman
  • Architect/designer:            Carl Olson, Gabriel Keller, Peterssen/Keller Architecture
  • Builder:                        Hage Homes
​

COMMERCIAL
Sandcastle Restaurant
  • Architect/designer:            LOCUS Architecture
  • Builder:                        The Big Room
  • Owner:                        Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
 
South Minneapolis Office
  • Architect/designer:            LOCUS Architecture
  • Builder:                        LOCUS Architecture
  • Owners:                        Paul Neseth, Wynne Yelland, Barbara Hahn, Linda Yelland
EcoBLEND AWARD
Green Homes North; Near Net Zero
  • Architect/designer:            Jay H Isenberg, Isenberg+Associates, Phil Rader, NVIZEON
  • Builder:                             Benoz Homes Inc.
  • Homeowner:                    Gary Schollmeier

EcoBLEND BADGE
South Minneapolis Office
  • Architect/designer:            LOCUS Architecture
  • Builder:                        LOCUS Architecture
  • Owners:                        Paul Neseth, Wynne Yelland, Barbara Hahn, Linda Yelland



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
 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