![The home was started in the fall of 2021 and will be finished next month]( "The home was started in the fall of 2021 and will be finished next month")
The home was started in the fall of 2021 and will be finished next month
![This room used to have cows in it and hay in the loft]( "This room used to have cows in it and hay in the loft")
This room used to have cows in it and hay in the loft
![This was actually the living room in my grandparents home-the window on the right was the front door]( "This was actually the living room in my grandparents home-the window on the right was the front door")
This was actually the living room in my grandparents home-the window on the right was the front door
![This is the barn that became the great room with the fireplace]( "This is the barn that became the great room with the fireplace")
This is the barn that became the great room with the fireplace
![This is my grandparents log home that became the bedroom wing on the left side]( "This is my grandparents log home that became the bedroom wing on the left side")
This is my grandparents log home that became the bedroom wing on the left side
Mankato, Minnesota Apr 2, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - Earth Day Commemoration: Minnesota’s Old Buildings Become Homes for the Future
Mark Johnson has made recycling, reusing, and repurposing old building materials a way of life since he built his first home out of a century-old barn in 1976. Now, Mark’s company, Artisan Restoration, specializes in repurposing old log cabins and barns to create new homes and buildings.
Johnson and his team at Artisan Restoration have a passion for preserving the history and craftsmanship of old structures while giving them new life. By repurposing existing materials instead of using new ones, they help mitigate the environmental impact of construction activities.
Johnson’s latest project is a beautiful home on Lake Washington in Kasota that he and his team built primarily with reclaimed materials from two log buildings. They also sourced materials from various locations around Minnesota to ensure sustainability. The floor framing came from a barn in Sanborn and an old bar in Eveleth, MN. The second floor was framed using beams from a bank in Albert Lea and logs from a barn near Good Thunder. Other materials were salvaged from a building being demolished in Fergus Falls, a motel in Gilbert, and barns near Mapleton and the Mankato airport. Additionally, many of the materials were repurposed from Mark's own grandparents' cabin. The “Sophus” House,” as Mark calls it, will soon be available for short-term rent through VRBO.
"We see each project as an opportunity to honor the past while building for the future," said Johnson. "Our clients appreciate the beauty and authenticity of reclaimed materials, knowing that they are not only getting a one-of-a-kind structure but also making a sustainable choice."
As the world celebrates Earth Day, Artisan Restoration encourages individuals and businesses alike to embrace sustainable practices and make conscious choices that benefit the planet. Through their innovative approach to repurposing old buildings, Mark and his team continue to demonstrate that sustainability and craftsmanship can go hand in hand.
For more information about Artisan Restoration and their sustainable building projects, please contact:
Mark Johnson
Founder & Owner, Artisan Restoration
Phone: 507-469-0474
Email: artisanrestorationmn@gmail.com
Website: artisanrestorationmn.com
Rent the Sophus House: vrbo.com/ 3920640
About Artisan Restoration
Artisan Restoration is a company based in Kasota, Minnesota, specializing in the repurposing of old log cabins and barns to create new homes and buildings. Founded by Mark Johnson, Artisan Restoration is committed to sustainable building practices and preserving the history and craftsmanship of heritage structures.
Media Contact
Artisan Restoration info@artisanrestorationmn.com 507-243-4123 1102 Terrasol Lane http://Artisanrestorationmn.com
