About Us

OA is a small, award winning design+build+architecture firm devoted to green building and urban living. For 30 years we've strived to bring creative and unique architecture solutions to homes that reveal the potential for form and function and an environment our clients will thrive in. We are committed to maintaining a high level of workmanship, with special attention paid to the aesthetics involved in remodeling and adding to homes.

Our company works primarily in the Twin Cities metro area and understands the associated challenges and limitations. We go to great lengths to match the architecture and characteristics of existing homes for additions and the shape of the land and surrounding environment for new homes. Our styles range from historic to more forward looking, contemporary design.

Through all of this we also bring materials that are healthy and durable, more efficient building and mechanical systems, and smart sustainable design to each of our projects.

You as the homeowner place a great deal of trust and responsibility in our hands. We seek to meet your expectations with respect and transparency; providing a journey that is better. We want to be your partners in designing and building a home in which you will feel great about living.

From kitchen and bathroom remodels, to large additions, to new homes. We can create it.

Spengler_Exterior_038-1024x745
Kools-Bathtub-1024x688

Awards, Recognition, & Accomplishments

2021

ROMA Award

  • Whole House over $800,000
  • Interiors under $200,000

Regional Chrysalis Award

  • Residential Exterior
  • Bathroom <$50,000

2020

Master Design Awards

  • Kitchen $75,000-150,000K
  • Bathroom under $50,000

MN COTY Award

  • Residential Kitchen over $150,000
  • Residential Kitchen $100,000-$150,000

2015

ROMA award

  • Kitchen over $100,000

2014

ROMA Awards

  • Winner – Kitchens $100,000-$125,000

2012

ROMA Remodeler of Merit

  • Kitchens under 200 Square feet
  • Interior more than one room

2011

Regional COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

  • Winner – Residential Kitchen 40K-80K

MN COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

  • Winner – Residential Kitchen 60K-75K
  • Winner – Residential Kitchen 75K-90K

2010

Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards

  • Silver – Room Remodel
  • Silver – Kitchens 50K-100K

Builder Water Mark Awards

Regional COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

  • Residential Kitchen Under 40K

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

2009

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards

  • Silver Award –Kitchen Under 50K
  • Silver Award –Bathroom 30-50K

MN COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

National Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

  • Image of the Industry Award

2008

MN COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

  • Honorable Mention

Professional Remodeler Best of the Best

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

2007

MN COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

Remodeling Magazine

National Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards

National COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

Regional COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

MN COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

2005

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

National COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

Regional COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

MN COTY (Contractor of the Year) Award

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards

  • First Place – Bathroom under $30k

2004

Regional Chrysalis Award (Remodeling Excellence)

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

  • Best of Show – Master Suite
  • Winner – Master Suite
  • Honorable Mention – Bathroom over 50sf
  • Honorable Mention – Specialty (Feng Shui)

2003

ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award)

  • Winner – Bathroom under 50sf
  • Winner – Specialty (Color)
  • Honorable Mention – Specialty (Color)
  • Honorable Mention – Lower Level Basement

2022

Custom Home Builder Magazine – Q&A with OA (April)
Cultivating Creativity

Pro Remodeler Magazine (March)
On Power and Privilege

Remodeler’s on the Rise Podcast (February)
The Markup Myth

2021

Power Tips Unscripted – Remodelers Advantage (November)
Answers to questions you didn’t know you had!

Remodeling Mastery with Mark Richardson (February)
Conversation with Thought Leader, Michael Anschel

Marvin Windows Collaboration (February)
The Home and the Tree. A case study of the Building Resilience House

Journal of Light Construction (April)
An Innovative Rim Joist Repair

2020

Remodeling Mastery with Mark Richardson (February )
What will Stick

The Building Resilience Show (February-October )
Episodes 1-14

Journal of Light Construction (December)
Making Open Joint Cladding Work

Journal of Light Construction  (March )
Evolution of High Performance Wall 

2016

Star Tribune, Variety Section (March 18)
Everyday Solutions: Demolition of leaky porch makes room for a smart addition. 

2015

Star Tribune, Variety (August 22)
Homegazing: A pioneering green bungalow in North Minneapolis

MPLS Green (July)
About Design Q&A with Innovators

Good Leadership Enterprises (March)
Good Leaders: Michael Anschel; What seems crazy to you?

Qualified Remodeler (March)
Perspectives on the next 40

Professional Remodeler (February)
Green Remodeling: Where it’s at; Where it’s headed

2014

New York Times, Home and Garden (December 31)
Everything and the Kitchen Sink

Star Tribune, Home and Garden (November 7)
Lower Levels Go Upscale

Star Tribune, Home and Garden (August 9)
New Remodeling Tour Focuses on Upscale Projects

Finance & Commerce (subscription required, July)
Builders OK with Minneapolis Infill Changes

CBS Minnesota (April 11)
Moratorium on Mpls Home Teardowns Lifted

2012

Star Tribune, Taste (December 21)
Counter Intelligence: Travail relocating to Robbinsdale

Star Tribune, Home & Garden (May 12)
Make Room for Mom & Dad

Star Tribune, Home (March 21)
What the Designers Say About the Entryway

2011

livegreentwincities.com
Low impact on a low budget”

architectsandartisans.com
Restoring Minnesota’s “City Beautiful”

METRO Magazine (March)
Green is the new normal

Green Builder (January)
Lofty Goals, Attic Conversion to Master Suite

2010

Star Tribune (November)
Down-To-Earth Kitchens

Minnesota Business (August)
The Green Collaborator

METRO Magazine (May)
Dwell Lightly

Mpls St Paul Magazine Home (Early Spring)
COTY Awards Winners

annarbor.com
What Does Green Mean?

annarbor.com
Bathroom Remodeling: A Great Way to Improve the Livability of your Home

2009

Woman’s Day Kitchens and Baths Magazine (December)
Fresh Outlook

Professional Remodeler (January)
Young Leaders

LivGreen Magazine (March)
A Friendly Remodel

2008

Metro Magazine (October)
100 Reasons to Love the Twin Cities – Reason #25

Southwest Journal (February/March)
A Greener Home

Professional Remodeler
‘Embracing Green’ Webcast Questions

Professional Remodeler
Recycling and reusing material

Twin Cities Home Zone (January)
Award-winning Remodeling Projects and Advice

Twin Cities Home Improvement (January)
Eco Pioneers

2007

Green Builder (December)
Second Chances: More for Less

Mpls/St. Paul Magazine (September)
Remodeling IQ

Professional Remodeler (September)
Second-Floor Remodel Designed to Save Energy and Money

Twin Cities Luxury & Fashion (September)
Change is in the Air

Remod Squad University (February)
What is Green Remodeling?

Twin Cities Home Improvement (July)
Remodeling Guide

Mpls/St. Paul Magazine (June)
The Green Revolution

Twin Cities Luxury Renovation (Summer)
10 Tips for Homeowners Who Want to Remodel Green

Ideal Home (Summer)
Keep Your Cool

Remodeling Magazine (May)
Big50: Industry Impact

Midwest Home (May)
Green Means Go, Go, Go!

City South Magazine (Spring)
“Color Coded”

Mpls/St. Paul Magazine (February)
Editor’s top picks

2006

Kitchen and Bath Design News (October)
Firm Infuses New Life into Vintage Showhouse

Midwest Home (October)
Red-Hot Green

Midwest Home (October)
Eco-friendly kitchen design

Lavender Magazine (September)
Green building

Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour
Whole house remodel

Minnesota Business (June)
Green building

Star Tribune Ideal Home (Summer)
Green building

IdeaWise: Basements & Attics
A Creative Publishing International Book
Five featured projects
Principal, Michael Anschel, is a featured architectural design professional

Midwest Home (May)
Historical addition

Kitchen and Bath Design News (May)
America’s Top Models

Custom Home Online (January)
Deconstructing Generation X

Lavender Magazine
It’s Not Cheesy Being Green

2005

Remodeling Magazine (October)
Principal, Michael Anschel, is named one of the top 3 Under 30

Qualified Remodeler
Named one of the top 500 remodeling firms in the nation

Lake Minnetonka Magazine (November)
Green building

Kitchen & Bath Design News (August)
Bathroom remodel

Edina Magazine (October)
Second story addition

Woman’s Day Home Remodeling & Makeovers (April)
Kitchen addition

Helena Home Gallery
Remodeling tips

Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour
Bathroom remodel

Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase

2004

Minneapolis Business Journal (October)
Green building business plan

Star Tribune (February 25)
Creative and green approach to an attic remodel

Woman’s Day Home Remodeling & Makeovers (August/September)
Two projects highlighted for use of color

Midwest Home & Garden (October/November)
Two bathroom remodels

Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour
Master Suite Bathroom, Two-story Addition, Attic/Master Suite

2003

Minneapolis/St. Paul Home Tour
Three homes on the tour

Home Time TV Series
Attic/Master Suite

Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase
Featured home on the tour

Tribune, Home and Garden (August 9)
New Remodeling Tour Focuses on Upscale Projects

Finance & Commerce (subscription required, July)
Builders OK with Minneapolis Infill Changes

CBS Minnesota (April 11)
Moratorium on Mpls Home Teardowns Lifted

11/11/07 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Receives Contractor of the Year Award

07/02/07 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Wins First Ever Chrysalis National Best Green Remodel Award

05/14/07 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Wins Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence

10/10/06 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Showcases a ‘Green’ Remodel on the 2006 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase

05/02/06 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Showcases a ‘Green’ Remodel on Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Tour

02/10/06 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Wins Two Regional Contractor of the Year Awards

09/30/05 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Presents Two New, Urban Creations in the 2005 Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase

09/20/05 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build and The Tenth Planet Graphic Design Host Open House

05/05/05 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Featured in Minneapolis and St. Paul Home Tour

10/06/04 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Featured in Parade of Homes Remodelors Showcase

07/01/04 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Wins Remodeling Awards

04/26/04 - Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Featured in Minneapolis and St. Paul Home Tour

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
— Ryunosuke Satoro

ONGOING

Principal, Michael Anschel, serves as the Interim Director for Minnesota GreenStar. Has was elected to the Victory Neighborhood Board where he will serve a 2-year term as the Housing Chair, and also sits on the Community Service Committee for the City of Lakes Rotary Club.

Each year Otogawa-Anschel designs and builds a golf course hole for the US Bank Skyway Open, a fundraiser for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities.

PAST SERVICE

2005-2008
Michael Anschel served as the Rotary District 5950 Rotaract Liason Officer (2005 – 2008).

2006-07
Otogawa-Anschel helped spearhead an effort to develop a Green remodeling program for the State of Minnesota. Working in partnership with local area architects, remodelors, researchers, The Green Institute, NARI of MN, RCTC, as well as state and utility representatives, the Minnesota GreenStar pilot program was launched in the Fall of 2007.

2006
oak park community center kitchen renovation
General Mills contacted our firm to help design the kitchen they were remodeling through the United Way Volunteer Apprentice Competition. Otogawa-Anschel designed the color, tile, and flooring, and donated time to help install and advise during construction. Additionally, some of Otogawa-Anschel’s vendors agreed to donate or provide materials at cost. Judging of the projects will take place on October 26th.

The City of Lakes Rotary club worked with Habitat for Humanity to help a family in North Minneapolis give their home and fence a fresh face. They power washed, scraped, primed, and painted the home and fence in one day. This project helps to keep our neighborhoods looking their best, and helps homeowners who are not able to take on such tasks.

2005
Supplied labor to install new windows at the Plymouth Homeward Bound home.

Designed and built a custom doghouse for the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show to raise money for Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota.

2004
Helped coordinate volunteers and supplied labor to install new windows at the Maple Grove Homeward Bound home with the Builders Outreach Foundation.

OA Design+Build+Architecture. is committed to education and the improvement of the Remodeling Industry. We are dedicated to upholding the standards of excellence in craftsmanship and professionalism set by the industry organizations; NARI, Housing First, BAM, and NAHB

  • Member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1997
  • Member of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry)
  • Member of NAHB (National Association of Home Builders)
  • Member of Housing First
  • Member of Remodelers Council
  • Member of Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Member of GreenStar

All members of the OA team participate in continuing education programs throughout the year that far exceed the Minnesota State requirement for education.

We recommend checking with the Better Business Bureau and looking for NARI/Housing First membership before hiring any contractor to work on your home.

See What We‘re Up To

Scroll to Top