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ronlbrenner
Marine on St.Croix, MN, USBlogger
I am principal of two design firms where I bring extensive experience in Residential and Community design.
As Vice President of Larson Brenner Architects (http://www.larsonbrenner.com) I design one of a kind homes for individual clients and builders. I also provide master planning services and community design for developers.
As President of Simply Elegant Home Designs I offer pre-designed custom home plans for sale online. Simply Elegant also offers home plan customization services.
As Vice President of Larson Brenner Architects (http://www.larsonbrenner.com) I design one of a kind homes for individual clients and builders. I also provide master planning services and community design for developers.
As President of Simply Elegant Home Designs I offer pre-designed custom home plans for sale online. Simply Elegant also offers home plan customization services.
my personal website:
http://www.simplyeleganthomedesigns.com
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Recent comments
Re: Can McMansions Help Solve Our Housing Crisis?
Mike,
posted: 8:38 am on December 24thI recently did some concept planning for a client that featured an In-Law Apartment above the garage. Turns out the city zoning ordinance would not allow it. My own little town also does not allow In-Law apartments. They consider it a "multi-family" dwelling which is not allowed in a single family district. Aargh!
Looks like we need to work on zoning ordinances.
Re: Code-change alert: Fire sprinklers in all new homes
It's just one more thing that adds to the cost of a home. It is not just the $2/SF for the sprinklers. It is the sprinklers plus all of the other regulations a builder has to contend with. New houses are getting to the point where they are un-affordable. So a builder has to create a "cheaper" home in order to accommodate all the regulations.
posted: 7:03 am on August 14thA well constructed house with smoke detectors and proper means of egress is very safe. Sprinklers are great - let's just leave the decision where it belongs; between the homeowner and the builder.
Re: Four Solutions to Kitchen-Storage Problems
I love that corner cabinet hardware. It gets some of the storage items outside the cabinet for easy access.
posted: 9:10 am on May 5thwww.simplyeleganthomedesigns.com
http://simplyeleganthomedesigns.blogspot.com
Re: Announcing our Before and After contest winners
These are great examples of the kinds of projects people can do even in this down economy. In lieu of building new people can still invest in their own property.
posted: 9:33 am on April 12thhttp://www.simplyeleganthomedesigns.com
http://simplyeleganthomedesigns.blogspot.com
Re: Use a Suntube to Brighten a Windowless Bathroom
We have been using these sun tubes on recent projects. They are a great way of bringing warm natural light into any space that is internal - hallways, bathrooms, etc. They do work quite nicely.
posted: 12:38 pm on April 3rdSimple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans
Spreading the word on great home design
Re: When builders compete with foreclosure-sale prices
mddesignhomes - I agree. In todays times it is more important than ever for a builder to distinguish themselves. Either through design or through construction quality / techniques(green)or better yet both. It is definitely tough out there for everyone in our field.
posted: 9:18 am on March 31stwww.simplyeleganthomedesigns.com
http://simplyeleganthomedesigns.blogspot.com
Re: Reason for hope: When homebuyers get tired of waiting
I don't know whether the timing is perfect or not. But i do know that if you have the resources this is a great time to build or remodel. I wrote a short article on the subject at
posted: 9:14 am on March 31sthttp://simplyeleganthomedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/03/its-time-to-build.html It's Time to Build!
Re: Restoring hope that credit will flow again to builders, homebuyers
I cannot see how this program will help. By definition the government will be over paying for the bad debts. The government will be paying a price the banks are willing to sell for - but the banks currently cannot get in the free market. What investor wants to overpay? This feels like another bad idea out of washington.
posted: 6:44 am on March 25thSimple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans
Spreading the word on great home design
Re: Is the LEED program a fraud?
I also am a bit disappointed with LEED. If energy savings is the goal there are better programs out there. In fact, better yet we design all of our homes to be energy efficient without going through the paper work, special consultants, bureaucracy and in general the energy wastefulness of LEED.
posted: 9:05 am on March 16thwww.simplyeleganthomedesigns.com
http://simplyeleganthomedesigns.blogspot.com
www.larsonbrenner.com
Re: EPA report: Shift toward urban housing over past 15 years
It seems another trend is infill housing. We are starting to see clients that are purchasing "tear downs" in nice city neighborhoods (South Minneapolis). I think it is a good "niche" market for builders / architects that can take advantage of it.
posted: 7:03 am on March 12thSimple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans
Spreading the word on great home design
Re: Top 10 Green Building Products
Nice list of products. You can also check this list I put together of top 10 green things to do.
posted: 1:38 pm on March 9thtop 10 green things to do/a>
Simple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans
Re: Wisconsin homebuilder aims to blitz past downturn
I am amazed to hear this story. I would love to hear more about this story. I feel like taking a side trip to Wisconsin to check this out. Good job.
posted: 8:19 pm on March 3rdSimple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans
Spreading the word on great home design