Refined Homes Contractor of the Year Award 2023
Nov. 9, 2023 -- The National Association of the Remodeling Industry's (NARI's) Minnesota Chapter has honored Refined Homes with a Contractor of the Year award in the category of "Residential Detached Structure" for their construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU.) The annual award recognizes that a company has demonstrated excellence in the following criteria: meeting clients’ objectives, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and innovation.
A family of four loves their woodsy urban neighborhood that’s walkable to shops, dining, and two local universities. But the home is getting crowded, and this family needs more space. The homeowners desire more space to work from home, a living area for more family time, and more usable storage space. In addition to wanting more space, the family had growing security concerns: cars parked on the street and a dark alley with access to the yard. Of course, their dream is to get all this without disrupting their lives during construction.
Built from the ground up in their current 1-car garage location, the ADU offers safe and secure vehicle and equipment storage on the lower level. The multifunctional upper level exceeds the immediate need for the owner’s collaborative home office for receiving clients and holding meetings. It's fully equipped with climate control, a bathroom, and a kitchenette to give the homeowners the office and additional living space of their dreams with the possibility of passive income in the future.
Smart LED lighting illuminates the exterior of the ADU and continues inside as you safely ascend the extra-wide stairway to the upper level. The ADU’s upper level provides an additional 525 square feet of multifunctional open-concept living space. Currently used as a home office, the floorplan allocates two nooks for workspaces and open center space for meetings and entertaining. Custom cabinetry built into the knee walls maximizes floor space and maintains a clutter-free space while providing abundant storage solutions. Pullout drawers conceal a printer and other office devices.
Linear Recessed Lighting
Dimmable Soffit Lights
Three Stall Garage in the Lower Level of the ADU
Patio at Entrance to ADU
Natural and in-ceiling lighting combine to radiate light in the ADU’s upper level throughout the day. Skylights and large windows provide the natural light needed for a calm workspace, while in-ceiling lights provide additional lighting for client meetings or evening entertainment. From sunrise to nightcap, the mood is set automatically through automated blinds and smart lighting.
The project is an “accessory,” so the lines, continuity, repetition, color, and symmetry of the ADU enhance the primary residence. Stucco, trim, and hardware were all sourced to match the home’s interior and exterior. At the same time, the homeowner selected upgraded doors and windows for efficiency, durability, and low maintenance to complement the home’s design. The complementary design of the ADU adds to the overall appeal of the residence and, with less-restrictive local ADU codes, has become an inspiration to the neighborhood.
Puustelli cabinets in the kitchen offer a modern look with a nod to tradition that still provides a warm, earthy environment. Since they’re completely void of formaldehyde-based glues, the cabinets give the homeowner peace of mind their office air is toxin-free. Custom slide-out drawers are built into knee-walls to conceal office equipment, supplies, essentials, and even the refrigerator.
Closed-cell foam fills the exterior walls and ceiling, maintains efficiency, prevents bypass air in the framing, protects against water damage, and provides additional structural support. Fiberglass batting in the walls and roof exceeds code requirements for all remaining insulation. Plus, the garage door is polyurethane injected for extra weather protection. Colored concrete with built-in snow melting creates a safe and shovel free garage apron and surrounding sidewalks.
Wirsbo Snow Melt System In Garage Apron Concrete
Snow Melting on Garage Apron Abutting the Alley
To provide safety and peace of mind, the homeowners selected a side-mount overhead door opener with a torsion drive and Wi-Fi capabilities. Upstairs, a high-efficiency boiler provides primary heating, while a heat pump offers supplemental heat and direct cooling in the office space. Multiple exhaust fans; in the bathroom for the steam shower and above the cooktop provide more than adequate ventilation and keep the home office air quality pure. An air conditioner in the garage space for comfort during home projects.
NARI is the nation's largest industry association for professional remodelers and their trade partners, suppliers, building products manufactures and support services. NARI Minnesota has the third largest membership among NARI chapters in 19 states.
