TANGLETOWN BASEMENT [SAINT PAUL, MN]

AIA 2020 Home of the Month

A young couple came to NewStudio Architecture looking for a complete remodeling design for the unfinished and often cold basement of their 1920s-era home in South Minneapolis. Inspired by the homeowners’ strong Finnish heritage, NewStudio led the 750 sf overhaul with a home sauna experience to rival the best found in the Nordic countries and embraced a clean, modern Scandinavian style.

Warm, soothing tones and heated floors set the welcoming ambiance in this lower-level retreat. A new living space, with custom entertainment nook and wet bar, complements the spa experience located adjacent to a gracious shower and new bathroom suite.

An egress window, rather than the old glass block, now allows more daylight in the room. By relocating and consolidating laundry and utility spaces and replacing the original room-sized boiler with a high-efficiency furnace, the space seems larger while delivering considerable functionality. Hidden storage cabinets under the stairs, an exposed ceiling, and white paint throughout help emphasize the airy and open feeling, a challenge in many 100-year-old basements.