As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, we might find ourselves baking cookies and watching Christmas movies. This may be a tradition for some of us - watching our favorite movies every year to ring in the holiday spirit. But have you ever taken a moment to observe the architecture in these films? From the Polar Express that ends in North Pole Square, to Klaus set on the Scandanavian island of Smeerensburg, to the Grinch Who Stole Christmas set in Dr. Suess’s Whoville. What built examples of architecture resemble these make-believe villages?

NewStudio has completed hundreds of architectural surveys as of 2022. While these surveys can sometimes be quite simple, they can also become an intricate process, requiring precise measurements and documentation of complex structures to produce 3D models.

Dave Dammar, our leading expert in architectural surveys, shared some insights in a 2019 Q&A that we wanted to share again.

It’s December and that means it’s time to start scrambling to find gifts for family and friends. We know the gift search can be challenging, so we wanted to make it easier for you and share our local favorites. These ideas range from clothing to coffee and can be found at small businesses in Minnesota and Wisconsin.