Two Island Design Build

May 14, 2025

The homeowners of this early 20th-century Minneapolis home had always loved the character of the space, and the front porch was a key part of its charm. What began as a plan to replace the old storm windows and update some finishes quickly became a much larger—and more urgent—project. Once demolition began, the Two Island Design Build team discovered the porch, which supported a second-floor addition built by a previous contractor, had no foundation and was severely under-structured.

So, the first order of business involved installing emergency shoring to protect the home. Then, the team assessed the existing structure and brought in a structural engineer to develop a reinforcement plan. The resulting space is a threshold between past and present, shelter and street, and structure and soul. What makes it so special isn’t just the craftsmanship—it’s the feeling it gives you the moment you step inside. “This project is a reminder of why we do what we do,” says Donella Olson, owner of Two Island. “It wasn’t just about rebuilding a porch—it was about safeguarding a home, honoring its history, and showing up for people when they needed support the most.”