Photos by Spacecrafting
The Siegel family travels the world with every opportunity that presents itself. In fact, Southeast Asia is a region they commonly explore given a family connection they hold quite dear to their hearts: The homeowner’s father was once stationed there, and he began to gather unique artworks that were then passed on to his son. Today, the husband-and-wife duo continues the collection of sentimental items. “[Each piece] is directly related to someone we met, [someone] we’ve spent time with, things we’ve seen,” says homeowner Andrea Siegel. The art is so important that the Siegel family kept it top of mind when looking for a new home—hoping to find a space that wouldn’t feel overpowered by its presence.
“We started looking for houses, and were feeling underwhelmed by what was available,” Siegel says. Instead of settling, the family partnered with OA Design + Build + Architecture to renovate a quaint bungalow on a quiet Minneapolis corner lot into their dream home—one fit for raising their children and two large rescue pups.
Despite the disrepair the 1913 house had fallen into, the amount of sheer potential the living room held alone was difficult to ignore. One of its most most valuable features? It had adequate space for the family’s art collection. OA Principal Michael Anschel led the charge, designed a two-story addition, and restructured the architecture to accommodate the family’s lifestyle.
Another priority for the Siegel family was sustainability, so Anschel made sure the original millwork was repurposed, flooring was reincorporated, and the processes and materials employed were efficient. The team also avoided landfills and partnered with Better Futures, a nonprofit creating jobs for the formerly incarcerated, to help both the environment and the community. “We like spaces a little outside of the box,” says Siegel, explaining how the Minneapolis-based design company devoted to green building and urban living was an ideal choice for the family. “The most sustainable home is the home already built.”
There are numerous unique features inside and out—from solar reflective paint and spray-foam insulation to reclaimed antique beech wood and integrated-circuit LED lights. Eucalyptus and reclaimed barn wood blend beautifully to create pantry doors off the kitchen, a custom Wood From the Hood pocket door adds a touch of local flair upstairs, and pops of color complement the new, more modern architecture. “There are so many different finishes and details, and yet they all come together collaboratively like a song—like an orchestra,” says Anschel.
