An Edina home built to double as both a private family retreat and a full-scale event space is opening its doors to the public this weekend, part of a self-guided tour spotlighting 12 architect-designed homes across Minnesota. The residence, known as Sirkel Kjøre, blends Scandinavian design with modern touches as a tribute to its owners' Norwegian heritage, and it's built to handle everything from quiet overnight stays to musical soirées and galas.
According to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, the home is among the featured stops on the upcoming Homes by Architects Tour, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 19 and September 20 in Edina. The Sirkel Kjøre home was designed by Minneapolis-based Shelter Architecture, with construction handled by Erotas Custom Building and landscape design by Field Outdoor Spaces, according to Shelter Architecture.
A Home Built for Both Solitude and Celebration
The project's design intent goes well beyond typical residential planning. Shelter Architecture notes that the home functions as both a private retreat and a multi-purpose event space equipped to host musical soirées, galas, and overnight guests — a scope that reportedly grew from its original concept as a simple family cabin into a full-time residence and venue, per the same firm's account.
The floor plan itself was engineered around that dual purpose. Per Artful Living Magazine, Sirkel Kjøre features integrated “outdoor rooms” and a lower-level social courtyard designed to frame the surrounding views, maximize daylight, and improve natural cross-ventilation throughout the structure.
Twelve Homes, Two Cities, One Weekend
Sirkel Kjøre is one of 12 homes included in this year's tour, which covers new construction and remodeled projects, according to the FOX 9 report. The event marks the 19th annual Homes by Architects Tour organized by AIA Minnesota, presenting nine in-person home tours on September 19 and 20 alongside three virtual-only homes viewable online through October 4.
For 2026, the organization expanded its geographic footprint beyond the Twin Cities metro to include two featured homes in Rochester, Minnesota, according to Homes by Architects Tour. Full-access tickets run $30 in advance and $35 on tour days, while single-home admission is available on-site for $12 cash, with passes granting access to both in-person walkthroughs and online 3D Matterport models of participating homes.
What Sets This Tour Apart
Unlike commercial open houses, projects on the Homes by Architects Tour must meet strict criteria: each must be led by a licensed AIA Minnesota member architect, completed by July 2026, and cannot be listed for sale prior to or during the tour. That distinction separates the showcase from builder-driven events like Housing First Minnesota's 2026 Fall Parade of Homes, which features more than 270 new properties across 77 cities priced from $325,000 to $3.7 million, as Hoodline previously reported.
Shelter Architecture, the firm behind Sirkel Kjøre, was founded in 2004 by architects Jackie Millea and Kurt Gough and specializes in sustainable residential, commercial, and interior design, with typical project budgets ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, according to General Contractors Magazine. AIA Minnesota, which organizes the annual tour, serves as the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects, representing registered architects across Minnesota while advocating for housing access and climate action.
