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Since 2011, AWH Architects has taken on a wide range of architectural projects from our office in Minneapolis. The unifying threads between each are client-specific solutions and the focus on our 5 core values: Pragmatism, Energy, Social Equity, Water, and Reuse.
We strive to design equitable and accessible spaces by integrating multiple narratives. We advocate for a concerted effort to bring diverse voices and skill sets to the table. This allows us as designers to navigate clients from all walks of life through entitlements to achieve goals that support social, environmental, and economic justice.
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At AWH, we believe that the design of our physical spaces affects the way we interact with one another as humans. Design can shift our mindset and create spaces of safety, comfort, and joy. It is more than functional space-planning or choosing paint colors, the power of architecture is its capacity to create a comprehensive space.
COMMERCIAL
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Adaptive Reuse
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Hospitality
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New Construction
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Low-Barrier Housing
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Tenant Improvements
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Workplace
RESIDENTIAL
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Single-Family
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Lake Homes
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Missing Middle
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Multi-Family
CIVIC
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Public Spaces + Buildings
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Historic Preservation
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Educational Facilities
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Solar Arrays
PHIUS CERTIFICATION
At AWH Architects, we see Phius-Certified Passive House design as a leading standard in sustainable, high-performance architecture. Phius certification raises the bar for energy efficiency, setting rigorous targets that adapt to local climate needs. This approach results in buildings that use up to 80% less energy than traditional construction. Using airtight construction, high-quality insulation, and energy recovery ventilation, Phius-certified buildings deliver year-round comfort, healthier indoor air, and dramatically reduced energy bills.
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Our team includes Anna Koosmann and Jacob Dommer, both members of the Phius Alliance, who work closely with clients to design buildings that meet their specific needs and environmental goals. We’re committed to creating high-performance, low-impact buildings that don’t compromise on design quality. From residential to commercial and mixed-use projects, we tailor each project to meet and exceed energy efficiency expectations.
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Through detailed energy modeling, climate-specific design, and continuous testing, we ensure that every Phius-certified project meets the highest standards of performance. Our attention to airtightness and thermal bridging in design guarantees that our Passive House structures are not only sustainable but built to last.
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Choosing Phius-certified design offers clear benefits: lowered energy consumption, greater durability, healthier indoor air, and enhanced climate resilience. These features provide a substantial return on investment, making a positive impact for both clients and the environment. For those committed to sustainability, Phius design offers a way to create buildings that leave a lasting, beneficial mark.
HISTORIC CONSULTING
We view historic building rehabilitation as essential to preserving our cultural heritage and the embodied energy in existing structures. Our designers draw inspiration from the rich histories and layered programs these buildings hold, taking care to honor their original stories while transforming them for contemporary use.
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Our process begins with a deep understanding of our client’s needs and how they engage with existing spaces. We craft design solutions that exceed expectations while respecting the character and integrity of each structure. By interweaving the potential of historic buildings with modern sustainable practices, we deliver innovative designs that balance conservation with the demands of contemporary codes.
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Navigating the complexities of historic preservation is our specialty. AWH’s in-house Historic Consulting Services expertly guides clients through the intricacies of entitlements, tax credits, grants, and other incentives, maximizing the benefits of preservation and adaptive reuse.
