Gas Station Turned Residential "The Urban Prairie House": Unconventional Work Of Kawell, Mooney, Sawyer Architects and Builders and Pisa Design, Inc. To Be Featured on HGTV's Show, Before and After.

A distressed gas station property is transformed into an elegant but small "Urban Prairie House" by the award winning design team of Kawell, Mooney, Sawyer Architects and Builders and Pisa Design, Inc. Through close collaboration architect, interior designer and client realize a home which honors it's commercial roots and the restored prairie landscape on which it is sited. The project will be feature on HGTV's Before and After.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) December 21, 2004 -- Architectural firm Kawell, Mooney, Sawyer Architects and Builders and interior design firm Pisa Design, Inc. announced today their work will be featured on HGTVs show, Before and After. The show will air December 26, 2004, 9:00am ET/PT, 8:00 am CST. This award winning team has collaborated with their clients on many high-end residential projects. The Before and After program will showcase a recent project of a 1960s gas station transformed to the Urban Prairie House" which incorporates both living and working spaces.

The homeowner found the unique living and business space potential he was looking for when he purchased the distressed property. I dont like conventional spaces," he says in the show. What I liked about the building was that it wasnt going to be a conventional house." Steve Mooney, of Kawell, Mooney, Sawyer Architects and Builders, is also interviewed by the shows host to help tell the story. The homeowner needed a two-bedroom home with office space. Our design responds to his interest in loft type spaces, keeping the space small and using rich color and high quality materials." Mooney explains. The challenge was to keep as much of the old building as possible and spin the architecture off what remained."

Once Steve established the concept of the project as being an urban prairie house, one of the design team goals became finding an elegant way to use industrial materials to respect the commercial roots of the building and marrying these with texture color and material that spoke to the surrounding prairie landscape" says Lisa Peck of Pisa Design. A palette that used soft greens and taupes along with bright neon blue, dusty bloom colors reflect this goal. Warm grey French limestone floors call to mind the original concrete flooring are combined with mahogany cabinets to marry commercial with residential in an inviting way."

We chose glass block with a wavy pattern to reflect the wind-blown praire grass and trimmed it with Douglas fir dyed in a grape juice color to add warmth and whimsy" says Mooney." Outside, a custom arbor provides a light canopy over the patio and hot tub. An architecturally designed fence is a response to the varying textures of the prairie which it surrounds."

Through close collabroration and dedication to the shared vision the design team created a home that is impressive by more than a multi functional purpose in a small, unconventional space. The elegant manner in which it is done allows places to showcase art and one-of-a-kind interest, too.

About Kawell, Mooney, Sawyer, Architecs and Builders:
The manipulation of light and form for perfect beauty and function. It is our intent to create the finest architectural designs possible and cosistently supass the expectations of our clients. Each of our designs responds to our clients needs and desires, and to the unique qualities of each site. Kawell, Mooney, Sawyer Architects and Builders have produced award-winning design since 1988 that excel through thoughtful attention to every detail.

Contact Information:
Steven J Mooney, AIA
Kawell Mooney Sawyer Architects & Builders
952-942-9982
www.kawell.com

About Pisa Design:
Pisa Design is an interior design firm located in Minneapolis, MN, dedicated to giving clients a beautiful home and a beautiful experience. In business since 1995, Pisa Design provides services for every component and phase of interior design, from the first floor plan to the last accent piece.

See the described project in our online portfolio. Remodeled Homes, project 3.

Contact Information:
Lisa Peck
Pisa Design, Inc.
952 926-3572
www.pisadesigninc.com

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