Meet the Mind Behind the Home Plans

Every Hanson Builders home begins long before construction starts. It begins with a conversation, a sketch, and an idea of how a family wants to live.

For Garrison Groustra, our Vice President of Design, home design has never been just about creating beautiful architecture. It’s about understanding people and helping families thrive.

Growing up in a creative family, design was woven into his everyday life. His mother worked as an artist and graphic designer, while his father built custom motor coaches for professional racing teams as a welder and metal fabricator. Creativity wasn’t something reserved for work, it was simply how problems were solved.

“I was always fascinated by architecture,” he says. “As a kid I was constantly drawing houses, building with LEGOs, sketching floor plans, studying the Parade of Homes, and paying attention to the size and proportions of buildings.”

That childhood curiosity eventually evolved into a career designing homes that don’t just look beautiful they also live beautifully.

Designing Around the Way Families Live

Ask him what separates a good floor plan from a great one, and the answer isn’t square footage or impressive features.

Instead, it starts with one simple question: “Where is the heart of the home?”

Every family answers that differently. Some love entertaining large groups. Others want cozy gathering spaces where everyone naturally comes together. The goal is never to design the biggest home possible; it’s to design the right home for the people who will live there.

“The best compliment I can receive is when a homeowner tells me, ‘This house just works.’”

That philosophy shapes every design decision, from the relationship between the kitchen, dining room, and great room to how outdoor spaces connect with everyday living.

A Home That Belongs

Before the first line of a floor plan is drawn, he studies the homesite itself.

Every lot offers opportunities and challenges. Sun orientation, views, topography, and curb appeal all influence the design.

“The best homes feel like they belong on the property rather than simply being placed on it.”

Inside, thoughtful sightlines become just as important. One of his favorite design moments is creating an entry where your eyes naturally travel through the home toward a beautiful view beyond. It’s a moment that just feels good.

Timeless Over Trendy

While trends come and go, great design lasts.

For him, timeless homes begin with proper proportion and scale. Ceiling heights, window sizes, fireplaces, kitchen islands, and room relationships all work together to create spaces that simply feel right, even if homeowners can’t quite explain why.

Natural materials like wood and stone also play an important role because they continue to stand the test of time, adapting to changing styles without losing their appeal.

Rather than chasing what’s popular today, he focuses on creating homes that will still feel relevant decades from now.

Experience Changes Everything

His design philosophy has evolved over the years. Early in his career, bigger often felt better. Today, experience, and becoming a father, has shifted that perspective.

Watching his own children grow up has changed the way he thinks about floor plans. He’s seen firsthand where kids naturally gather, where backpacks and shoes accumulate, how traffic moves through a home, and how different spaces support everyday family life.

Those observations have reinforced something he has always believed: exceptional home design isn’t about impressing guests for a few hours. It’s about making everyday life easier for years to come.

The Hanson Builders Difference

One of the things he believes sets Hanson Builders apart is the collaborative design process. Rather than fitting families into a predetermined plan, the design team spends time understanding how each homeowner lives, what they love about their current home, and what they’d like to improve.

By investing in thoughtful planning before construction begins, homeowners can move through the building process with confidence, knowing their home was designed specifically for them.

“We work hard to get the design right before construction ever begins,” he says. “When we’ve done our job well, homeowners can simply enjoy watching their home come to life.”

For him, that’s what great home design has always been about, not just creating beautiful homes, but creating homes that truly live well.

You can find our many award-winning floor plans here. Learn more about our home building process here.

In his role as VP of Design, Garrison oversees home design, project management, architectural approvals, permit submissions, and other aspects of the drafting process. He guides clients through their many customization options and works closely with his team to ensure accuracy in all home plans.

Garrison joined Hanson Builders in 2013 as a Drafting Assistant, gradually taking on more responsibilities until landing in his current role. He was drawn to Hanson Builders’ reputation for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to client vision. He appreciates being part of a collaborative team that finds creative solutions for every challenge. And most of all, he loves building homes that families will enjoy for years to come. Garrison studies architectural drafting at Anoka Technical College. Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two sons Weston and Grayson. He also likes to travel and work on projects around his home.  

The post Designing Homes That Work For Real Life: Garrison Groustra, VP of Design, Shares his take on Vision and Function appeared first on Hanson Builders Blog.

Twice annually, Minnesota home enthusiasts, designers, and prospective homeowners from across Minnesota look forward to one of the state’s most anticipated home events: the Artisan Home Tour. Presented by Housing First Minnesota, the tour offers a rare opportunity to step inside some of the region’s most exceptional homes and experience the highest levels of craftsmanship, architecture, and design.

But what exactly makes a home an “Artisan Home”?

At its core, an Artisan home is crafted by the region’s top builders, showcasing their artistic vision and exceptional craftsmanship. These are not production homes built from a standard set of plans. Instead, they are carefully curated residences that reflect the lifestyle, vision, and priorities of the families who call them home. These exclusive homes feature today’s most popular designs, materials, accessories and colors.

The Artisan Home Tour

The Artisan Home Tour was created to highlight homes that represent the finest examples of luxury homebuilding and remodeling in Minnesota. These homes are gorgeous but they also demonstrate a commitment to exceptional design, innovative construction techniques, and meticulous attention to detail. Visitors often discover unique spaces that go beyond traditional expectations, such as additional wellness rooms, indoor golf simulators, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, outdoor sports additions, custom entertaining spaces, and personalized retreats throughout the home. No two are alike – and from their unique designs to their expansive size, that’s what makes them truly amazing.

Beyond impressive features and details, Artisan homes are set apart by layers of collaboration behind them. Builders, architects, interior designs, craftsman, and homeowners work together to create special spaces that balance beauty, function and lasting quality. For visitors, the Artisan Home Tour provides more than design inspiration. It offers a glimpse into emerging trends, innovative materials, and showcases the very best of what modern homebuilding can achieve. Whether someone is planning a custom build or simply appreciates exceptional design The Artisan Home Tour can spark ideas and push the ideas of what is possible.

Ultimately, an Artisan home is about more than luxury – it’s the artisans that create unique and beautiful homes. It is a celebration expert craftsmanship and the belief that a home should be as unique as the people who live in it. That commitment to quality and individuality is what continues to make the Artisan Home Tour one of Minnesota’s most inspiring home events year after year.

Please join us on the tour at house No. 5 – The Hawthorne at 3602 William Way in Independence. You can find our Summer 2026 Artisan Home here. You can find all our Artisan homes here. We’ll see you on the tour.

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