About Thuftedal Architects

Ryan Thuftedal AIA, CID leads our team of passionate professionals.
"Welcome to Thuftedal Architects where art, architecture, and interior design come together to shape the spaces you inhabit. We are a portal to explore the beauty and functionality of a new built environment, and discover the countless ways in which it influences your life." Our relationships with our clients and the importance of having fun are influential to our process. Because we are our experiences and they interlace with our design vision.

“Working with Ryan Thuftedal AIA CID was an enjoyable experience right from the start. Probably more important than the beautiful home they designed for us is the friendship we formed along the way.”
Bert and Suzie Colianni

“We LOVE what you’ve done, you were incredibly creative in your approach!”
Tom Owens esq. and Stephanie Prem

“Ryan is an artist. He took hold of our project and made the form and function fit our needs and dreams”
Vincent and Nora Petrucelli esq.

“An intelligent, innovative problem solver with an artist’s instinct…”
Thomas Rose, U of MN

“…(the project) It is all understated, muted, dignified. I very much like it…. There is nothing gauche about our redecorating. It is refined and sophisticated. You and your colleagues did a fine job,”
Winslow House Resident (Koelhler)

Quotes that guide us:

“Precision means that every piece of the project, however small, must be entirely legible, revealing not only it’s interdependence but the necessity behind it’s existence and it’s connections with other elements, as well as the reasons why each of those elements was selected.” Vittorio Gregotti, Inside Architecture

“Truth has no path, Truth is the living and, therefore, changing.” (Lee, p.18)

“I think you for sure have to respond to context and to be a good listener, whether it’s to people or to spaces. A friend just said, “With branding, a lot of things seem like really great design, but it’s for the wrong application.” I think it’s getting those things to line up where what you’re designing is actually jiving with what the neighborhood wants, what the people want, what the building wants. If you listen well enough, that’s when all of those things jell. When you force too much onto it, that’s where there can become a sort of disconnect and it’s beautiful bad design.” Taavo Somer, designer restauranteur

Things to consider:

Heating Systems: The heating system may be a furnace, a heat pump, or a boiler, depending on the climate and the homeowner's preference. A furnace is the most common type of heating system in the United States. It heats the air and then circulates it through ductwork to each room in the home. Furnaces can be powered by natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity. A heat pump is another type of heating system that works by extracting heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside the home. Heat pumps are very energy-efficient and are a popular choice for areas with moderate to mild climates. A boiler is typically used to heat homes with radiators or underfloor heating systems. It heats water and then circulates it through a network of pipes and radiators or tubing to heat the home.

Cooling System: The cooling system may be a central air conditioner or a heat pump, depending on the climate and the homeowner's preference. A central air conditioner works by removing heat and humidity from the air and then circulating the cooled and dehumidified air through ductwork to each room in the home. A heat pump can also provide cooling by extracting heat from the indoor air and transferring it outside. In cooling mode, the heat pump works like an air conditioner, but in heating mode, it works by extracting heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside the home. There are also some advanced features that can be added to heating and cooling systems, such as zoning and programmable thermostats. Zoning allows different parts of the home to be heated or cooled independently, which can save energy and improve comfort. Programmable thermostats can be set to adjust the temperature automatically based on the time of day or the homeowner's schedule, which can also save energy and improve comfort.

Smart Building Technologies:

Integrating smart building technologies into architectural projects can bring a range of benefits to both the building occupants and the building owners, such as improved energy efficiency, enhanced security, and increased comfort. Here is a plan for architects to integrate smart building technologies into their projects:

Identify the Smart Building Technologies Needed: The first step in integrating smart building technologies is to determine what technologies are needed for the specific project. For example, the project may require sensors for monitoring temperature, humidity, or air quality, or it may need smart lighting systems or automated shading.
Determine the Integration Requirements: Once the technologies are identified, the next step is to determine how they will be integrated into the building's design. This includes identifying the data and communication systems that will be used to collect and transmit data from the sensors and control systems.
Collaborate with Smart Building Experts: Architects should collaborate with experts in smart building technologies to determine the best options for integrating these technologies into their projects. These experts can provide valuable insights into the latest technology trends, product capabilities, and implementation strategies.
Consider the Building's Purpose: When integrating smart building technologies, it is important to consider the specific purpose of the building. For example, a healthcare facility may require different smart building technologies than an office building or a residential complex.
Develop a Comprehensive Plan: Once the requirements and integration strategies have been identified, architects should develop a comprehensive plan that outlines the design and integration of the smart building technologies. The plan should include details on the placement of sensors, the communication protocols, and the control systems.
Test and Verify the System: Before deploying the smart building technologies, it is important to test and verify the system's functionality. This may involve testing individual components, such as sensors or control systems, or testing the entire system in a simulated environment.
Monitor and Optimize the System: Once the smart building technologies are deployed, it is important to monitor and optimize the system's performance over time. This may involve collecting data on energy usage, occupancy patterns, and other metrics, and using that data to make adjustments to the system's settings.

Integrating smart building technologies into architectural projects requires a comprehensive plan that considers the specific needs of the building, the latest technology trends, and the expertise of smart building experts. By following these steps, architects can successfully integrate smart building technologies into their projects and provide building owners and occupants with a range of benefits.

Super Insulation:

Designing a home that is super insulated requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure the home is comfortable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective. Here are some key design criteria to consider:

Insulation: The home should be insulated to a high degree, with insulation placed in walls, floors, and ceilings. The insulation material should have a high R-value (resistance to heat flow) and be properly installed to prevent air leakage.
Windows and Doors: The windows and doors should be energy-efficient, with low-emissivity (low-e) glass and properly sealed to prevent air leakage.
Ventilation: The home should have a ventilation system that is designed to prevent moisture buildup and maintain indoor air quality. This can be achieved through a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system that exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while retaining heat.
Solar Gain: The home should be designed to take advantage of solar gain, which is the heat gained from sunlight. This can be achieved by positioning windows and doors to capture the most sunlight during the winter months.
Orientation: The home should be oriented to maximize energy efficiency. The long axis of the home should be oriented east to west, with the main living areas facing south to maximize sunlight.
Lighting: The home should be designed to take advantage of natural lighting to reduce the need for artificial lighting. This can be achieved by positioning windows to capture sunlight and by using light-colored finishes that reflect light.
Heating and Cooling: The home should have a heating and cooling system that is energy-efficient and properly sized for the home. This can be achieved through the use of a geothermal heat pump, which uses the stable temperature of the earth to heat and cool the home.

Quotes from famous architects that guide us:
"Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light." - Le Corbusier
"The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope." - Frank Lloyd Wright
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." - Frank Gehry
"The job of the architect today is to create beautiful buildings. That's all." - Philip Johnson
"Architecture is the mother of all arts." - Vitruvius
“Architecture is the art of arranging materials to create spaces for human use." - Louis I. Kahn
"Architecture is the shaping of the world for human habitation." - Winston Churchill
"Architecture is the silent poetry of space." - Gaston Bachelard
"Architecture is the art of building." - Vitruvius
"Architecture is the creation of spaces that enhance human life." - Frank Gehry