Nor-Son receives 2 state awards from Associated Builders and Contractors

One project incorporated thousands of photos and works of art to create a home with French flair, while the other involved an office renovation utilizing a Crosslake artist's work with steel.

Both were award winners for Nor-Son.

Nor-Son Inc. of Baxter received two awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Minnesota (ABC). In recognition of outstanding achievement and quality workmanship, Eagle Awards were received in both residential and commercial categories.

Nor-Son representatives accepted the awards at ABC's 2014 Excellence in Construction banquet at the Metropolitan Ballroom Jan. 29.

The ABC's award program is designed to recognize publicly the quality and innovation of Merit Shop construction and to honor all the members of the construction team, including the contractor, the owner and the design team responsible for the project. The winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the state and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and budget.

Nor-Son reported it successfully translated the client's inspiration into a one-of-a-kind home incorporating the thousands of photographs, Parisian relics and collected works of art from their time abroad. In typical French flair, Nor-Son and the homeowner boldly merged Medieval and Baroque lines inspired by the Musée de Cluny in the custom carving of the fireplace. Carpenter's Point veers from the typical 'open concept' floor plan by introducing grand formality.

"Strong symmetry, elevated ceilings, layers of enameled Millwork, stately doors, antique glass cabinets and rustic oak finishes enhance the concept to a design that creates an identity unseen in the Minnesota market," Nor-Son reported. "A soft color palette, ample sunlight and formal style elements are to be expected from this French provincial design - comfortable, functional and extraordinarily beautiful."

The home was featured in Midwest Home Magazine's 2014 Luxury Home Tour. The Paris in Wayzata home was the highest visited home on the tour.

The second award, in the commercial category, was for the design and construction of Nor- Son's own 4,500-square-foot office renovation above iconic Sunset's Restaurant (now CoV) in Wayzata.

"The goal was to create a functioning, modern and technologically advanced office space to accommodate group collaboration yet maintain as much of the existing structure as possible," Nor-Son reported. "The group office design was developed to maximize the number of workstations with minimal demolition. Space was economized to maintain as much existing office space as possible to add design and finishes to the stairwell entrance. Only one wall was removed to enlarge the main conference room. Arched openings were cut between four existing offices to create an open, group office space at minimal cost."

Nor-Son reported the value saved was used for the new stairwell entrance, built of reclaimed hickory, custom colored and textured cement, Valders stone and custom forged steel.

"The stairwell and main entrance to the office is a true work of art, showcasing a combination of wood, stone and steel materials," Nor-Son reported. "Jeff Krietz, owner of Creative Steelworks Inc. helped create the stairwell vision into reality with his vast knowledge of working with steel."

1/5: The kitchen at Carpenter's Point features a hidden pantry.

2/5: The renovated office space for Nor-Son's Wayzata offices includes a collaboration room.

3/5: Nor-Son and the homeowner merged Medieval and Baroque lines inspired by the Musée de Cluny in the custom carving of the fireplace.

4/5: Nor-Son's Wayzata office includes a renovated reception area and video wall.

5/5: Nor-Son reported the new stairwell entrance is built of reclaimed hickory, custom colored and textured cement, Valders stone and custom forged steel. Jeff Kreitz, Crosslake artist and owner of Creative Steelworks Inc., assisted.