Joseph G. Metzler, AIA, CID, Principal

Joe Metzler's work reveals a passion for the past, whether evidenced in award-winning preservation projects or new construction. His focus on old home character and now uncommon details results in buildings for the present with a beauty of the ages. It's probably no surprise that Joe has a special affinity for the Arts and Crafts Movement and its decorative possibilities.

Joe grew up in a family of custom homebuilders where he learned carpentry and related skills. He spent a number of years working primarily on civic and commercial projects after receiving his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota in 1980. In 1990 he joined what was then Mulfinger & Susanka Architects and became a partner in 1995.

His involvement in the area of historic preservation includes six years as a member of the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and memberships in various organizations. In early 2004 he created The Convenient Old House, a resource for owners and lovers of vintage homes who don't want to sacrifice character or convenience. Work on his own Queen Anne home built in 1889 is never ending.

Joe is a registered architect in Minnesota and Wisconsin, is certified as an interior designer in Minnesota, and is NCARB certified.

Teaching & Speaking

• "Restoring Exterior Character – Step by Step," Wayzata Heritage Preservation Board, May 2006
• "Bring Out the Best in Your Vintage Home," Historic Saint Paul, February 2006
• "Crafthill: A New Neighborhood Informed by the Past," Rochester Art Center, 2004
• "A Better Bungalow: Using an Architect to Increase Your Home's Value," Twin Cities Bungalow Club, 2003
• "Beautiful Bungalows: Rediscovering the Ideal," University of Minnesota Compleat Scholar, 1996 and 1997
• " The Convenient Old House," Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, 1996 and 1997
• "Rehabilitating Your Vintage Home," Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, 1993 and 1994
• "Design of Our Homes," Minnetonka Arts Center, 1993 and 1994
• "Rehabilitating Your Vintage Home," Open U, 1987 and 1988
• University of Minnesota, Guest Lecturer, 1980
• University of Iowa, Guest Lecturer, 1980

Awards

• COTY Award for Residential Interior Specialty, 2008
• COTY Award for Whole House Renovation over $500,000, 2006
• Brings House Addition, St. Paul Preservation Award, 2001
• Custom Home Magazine Merit Award, Liepke Addition,2000
• Liepke Addition, Minneapolis Preservation Award, 1998
• Taylor Addition & Carriage House, Minneapolis Preservation Award, 1996
• Taylor Addition & Carriage House, Third Place, "Sympathetic Additions", Great American Home Awards, 1996
• McDonald Residence Rehabilitation, Minneapolis Preservation Award, 1995
• MSAIA Paper Architecture Competition, Special Award, 1986
• Minnegasco Prize for Energy Efficient Housing, First Place, 1979

Memberships & Activities

• Commissioner, Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, 1995 to 2001
• Past co-chair, AIA Minnesota Historic Resources Committee
• Minneapolis Preservation Ordinance Revision Advisory Committee, 1997
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
• Minnesota Historical Society

Published Work

• Dream Homes Minnesota edited by Lauren Castelli and Ryan Parr, Panache Partners, LLC, 2007
• "Arts and Crafts Reborn," Twin Cities Home Improvement, Dec 2007
• "Mail-Order Makeover," StarTribune Home and Garden, Nov 7, 2007
• "Integrity of Design," Remodeling Today, Spring/Summer 2007
• The New Bungalow Kitchen by Peter Labau, Taunton Press, expected publication March 2007
• "A Kitchen that 'Lives Up,'" American Bungalow, Spring 2007
• "Treasures in the Attic: Creating a 'Suite Retreat,'" in the Second Story, The Family Handyman, Dec/Jan 2007
• "Fitting In", Twin Cities Spaces Fall/Winter 2006 Resource Guide
• Along Bungalow Lines: Creating an Arts & Crafts Home by Paul Duchscherer and Linda Svendsen, Gibbs Smith, 2006
• “Keeping up with Codes”, Old-House Journal, August 2006
• “Mail-Order Marvel”, American Bungalow, Fall 2005
• “Reviving A Queen Anne”, Southwest Journal, April 18, 2005
• Bungalow Style : Creating Classic Interiors in Your Arts and Crafts Home by Treena Crochet, Taunton Press, 2005
• "Jewel of St. Paul", StarTribune Homes, May 8, 2004
• "Bungalow Renaissance", Midwest Home & Garden, May 2004
• "Progress Up On the Hill", StarTribune Homes, September 14, 2002
• "A Tale of Two Kitchens", American Bungalow, Fall 2000
• "The Art of the Prairie-style Kitchen", Fine Homebuilding, June/July 2000
• "Arts and Craftwork", Kitchen Trends, Volume 16, Number 1A
• "Merit Award", Custom Home, March 2000
• "Reinventing the Past", Midwest Home & Garden, October/November 1999
• "Custom Touches", Custom Home, May/June 1999
• The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka, Taunton Press, 1998
• "Updating the Past", Traditional Home, September 1998
• "Arts and Crafts Fantasy", Mpls St. Paul, April 1998
• Planning Your Addition by Jerry Germer, Creative Homeowner Press, 1997
• "Tradition with a Modern Twist", Better Homes and Gardens Traditional House Plans, Spring 1997
• "Tradition Defined and Defied", Better Homes and Gardens Home Plan Ideas, Spring 1997
• "Comfort Kitchens", Better Homes and Gardens, November 1996
• "Garden Structures", StarTribune Home & Garden, June 6, 1996
• "Done to Perfection", Historic Preservation, January/February 1996
• "Living with History", StarTribune Saturday Homes, January 6, 1996
• "Craftsman Masterpiece", Better Homes and Gardens Homes From the Heartland, 1995
• "Addition in Keeping", Architectural Record, April 1995
• "Classy Craftsman", Better Homes and Gardens All-American Home Plans, May/June 1999
• "Craftsman to the Core", Better Homes and Gardens Home Plan Ideas, Winter 1993
• Shaner House photograph and description, American Bungalow, Volume 1, Number 5
• "The Story of the Shaner House", Craftsman Homeowner, Spring 1992
• "Craftsmanship", St. Paul Pioneer Press, June 23, 1991
• "A Suburban Refuge", Fine Homebuilding, June 1991
• "Couple Builds Craftsman Revival on Lake", StarTribune, April 6, 1991