Sustainability is at the core of Minneapolis-based PKA Architecture, as well as today’s Designer Friday subject. An associate principal at the award-winning firm, Andrew Edwins completed his graduate work in architecture at the University of Minnesota, earning an M.Arch in 2008 and an M.S. in Architecture and Sustainable Design in 2009. Andrew focused his academic work on how architecture, buildings, and sites fit within the larger societal, infrastructural, and ecological systems that define our world. Professionally, Andrew is interested in how technology, both past and present, can be used to fully integrate environmental and ecological thinking into outstanding design. Get to know Andrew and his work below!
This modern home melds sophisticated design with organic materials, showcasing dramatic windows, bold art, and custom furnishings for a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.
Andrew Joseph: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
Andrew Edwins: Embracing imperfections in materials. Some of the most incredible materials and spaces have many elements that we may see as imperfect. I would argue that it is these imperfections that add a level of detail and approachability to materials and spaces that would otherwise seem harsh or mechanical. Think about how a patina that is applied by hand adds depth to metal in a way that no machine ever could. It is in no way perfect, but it is that imperfection that leads to a richer material that can tell a more complex story in a space.
AJ: If you could live in any home in a movie or television series, what would it be?
AE: Hands down, the Juvet Landskapshotell in Norway which was featured in the movie Ex Machina. The way that the simple material palette, refined details, and floor-to-ceiling windows both complement and reflect the forest on the exterior, but also focus the view and bring the natural word inside is incredible. The idea of something being just what it needs to be – nothing more and nothing less – I find is so compelling. It isn’t spartan, however. There is a bit of whimsy as well with use of bold colors on the interior which adds just enough playfulness so that the simple and refined design doesn’t feel too unapproachable.
This modern home overlooks Bde Maka Ska, featuring an L-shaped design with garden spaces, a courtyard pool, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, crafted from stucco, marble, cedar, and metal.
AJ: What’s a guilty pleasure you have?
AE: Sunkist pop. I’m from Minnesota so it isn’t soda, it’s pop. I don’t really know why, but I love the stuff. I also drink way too much of it, or not enough depending on the day.
AJ: What’s something you always travel with?
AE: My camera. For me, taking a picture is not just about capturing a moment. There is a level of looking and understanding that is required when framing and composing an image that requires you to more than just see a space. Looking back at the photos that I have taken, I get flashbacks of not just being in the space, but how it felt and what I was looking at. The images inspire memories, not just document moments.
AJ: What are three things you can’t live without?
AE: Family. They are the people that bring me joy and comfort every day.
A Micron pen. My favorite drawing tool. I prefer the .7mm because of its versatility, but any thickness will do.
My iPhone. Unfortunately, I know, but at least I can admit that I am addicted to it.
This renovated Lake Harriet Home combines traditional style with unique features like terracotta tiles, opening up with a family-friendly kitchen and living space to a large backyard, ready for family living.
AJ: Which room in the house do you find yourself working from the most? Why? How does this inform your thoughts about architecture?
AE: I end up working on my couch in the living room most often. I have an office at home, but somehow I drift to the living room more than my office. For a long time, I didn’t have a dedicated office space at home and the couch was the easiest space to work. Now that I do have an office, I still don’t work there as much as I do in the living room. I think this shows two things. First, habits become ingrained in our lives more strongly than we know. Here I am as an architect with a well-designed and functional home office and I don’t use it nearly as often as a place that is shared with my kid’s Duplo’s. Second, I think that it shows that people will adapt and use spaces in a manner that is not always intended, but will do so for emotional reasons. For me, working from the couch in our living room allows me to still be part of the family and participate in our home life instead of being a floor away by myself. More broadly, a home is an emotional space just as much a functional one and keeping in mind that a logical solution is not always what will happen in reality allows for a more nuanced view of design, space planning, and life.
About the Designer | Andrew Edwins came to architecture through his undergraduate work at Carleton College in Northfield, MN where, in 2005, he earned a B.A. in Studio Art. While his undergraduate work was focused on Studio Art, Andrew took courses across many subjects as well as studying in Norway, Australia and New Zealand, and at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in Boston, feeding his natural curiosity. When not working, Andrew continues to develop his artistic talents, with sketching, photography, and printmaking, as well as a growing interest in digital art and drawing—all while listening to copious amounts of Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
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