Minnesota/Midwest MLuxe readers: Are you heading to the Minnesota State Fair over the holiday weekend? If so, between visiting the Moo Booth, eating fill-in-the-blank on a stick and riding the rides at the Mighty Midway, you might want to stop in at Marvin’s State Fair booth.

We are in the upper level of the Grandstand and have an array of Marvin products to show you. Our local dealers will be there to help you find exactly what you are looking for and to answer your questions about new windows and window replacement.

So come on down to the Fair and check us out! Happy fair-going!

Image courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Marvin is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Architect’s Challenge. These gorgeous houses and buildings, designed by some of today’s most innovative architects, feature Marvin products and cutting-edge design. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing in-depth details of each project (and you can visit marvin.com to see more now), but let’s learn more about the judging panel.

J. Carson Looney, FAIA: Carson is one of the founders of Looney Ricks Kiss Architects with multiple offices headquartered in Memphis, TN. He is the Principal in Charge of Residential Architecture, providing design services for all segments of the Housing industry, as well as neighborhood planning and design guidelines.

He passionately believes one of the highest levels of sustainability in design is achieved through the creation of homes and neighborhoods that have enduring value— places and homes that are based on timeless principals, while seamlessly balanced with identifying and solving modern functional lifestyle needs. Quality of life and adaptable livability solutions are evident in the firm’s work, whether it is a modest row house or a unique custom home.

In 1996, Carson was elected to The College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of his efforts to ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment. In addition, he was recognized by residential architect magazine (Jan. 1999) as one of five current-day architects whose work forecasts the century ahead. In October 2007, he was inducted into the Wm. S. Marvin Hall of Fame for Design Excellence for his quality-of-life design solutions based on timeless principles of architecture. In January 2009, Carson was honored as one of the Top 30 Innovators for the Past 30 Years by BUILDER Magazine and the Hearthstone Humanitarian Awards. Carson was also inducted into the Inaugural Class of the Best in American Living Awards Hall of Fame in January 2009.

The work of the firm is widely published and to date has received 502 regional and national design awards.

William H. Kreager, FAIA, LEED®, MIRM: Bill Kreager, retired founding principal of Mithun, has created new homes and communities all across the United States. The integration of site planning, building design and sustainability in urban infill and mixed-use developments is the focus of his practice. His projects have achieved national recognition for Smart Growth implementation, environmentally sensitive master site planning and innovative architectural design. His progressive, marketoriented projects range from small, infill communities to new 6,000-acre towns. Bill has been lead master planner for new innovative communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, most recently High Point, a mixed-use community of 1,600 units that reweaves the neighborhood into West Seattle. Bill is a compelling speaker who is frequently requested to talk about housing issues before regional and national audiences.

Mark McInturff, FAIA: Mark McInturff FAIA is a native of Washington DC and received his B. Architecture from the University of Maryland School of Architecture with its first graduating class in 1972. He taught at the University of Maryland from1980 to 2006, and was appointed as the University of Maryland Kea Professor for Spring 2003. From1995 through 2004 he was also a visiting critic at the Catholic University of America’s School of Architecture and Planning. McInturff was elevated to the College of Fellows of the AIA in 2000.

McInturff Architects, a seven-person firm in Bethesda, Maryland, has an orientation toward small highly crafted contemporary design for residential, commercial and small institutional projects.

The firm has received more than 250 design awards, including three AIA Honor Awards, two for Interior Architecture and one for Urban Design, and an AIA Housing Award for multi-family housing. The work is the subject of two monographs, In Detail: McInturff Architects (2001) and In Residence: McInturff Architects (2007), both by The Images Publishing Group of Australia.

We’re proud to have been recognized by management expert Donald Delves in this great column for Forbes. Delves explores how the bond between Marvin, our hometown of Warroad and our valued workers has resulted in a healthy company and a healthy community.

Here’s an excerpt:

Aside from the admiration and respect of employees, what has the company received in return for its commitment to employees? Marvin’s reliability as an employer has created a workforce that can be relied on for high-quality craftsmanship and meticulous quality control, sustained by strong esprit de corps stemming from a highly positive plant culture.

We’re glad others recognize a culture that has been nurtured for generations — and that we will always work to strengthen. Read Delves’ full piece here.

If you’re one of our readers who’s a remodeler by profession, then you might be interested in this: Professional Remodeler is starting the search for its 2011 Remodeler of the Year, to be unveiled in the December issue of the magazine and on HousingZone.com.

“We’re looking for companies that excel in all aspects of remodeling, have made innovations in operations to deal with the current market and uphold the highest standards of the remodeling industry,” they explain.

Do you think your remodeling operation has what it takes to win this honor? Fill out the form here to get started with the submission process. Good luck!

We at Marvin Windows hope you have a fun and safe 4th of July. We’ll see you back here with our next regular post on Tuesday. Until then, we’re curious: What are some of your favorite 4th of July customs or rituals?

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During the 2011 International Builder’s Show, we mentioned that the DIY Network’s Kayleen McCabe stopped by the Marvin booth to check out our new Clad Ultimate Glider window.

Well, the episode of “Cool Tools” for which that segment was shot aired this weekend on the DIY Network, and they’ve posted the clip online, as well.

In addition to remembering and celebrating the spirit of the holiday, we at Marvin Windows and Doors and the MLuxe blog hope you all have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

We’ll see you back here on Tuesday, May 31.

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Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors, received Bemidji State University’s 2011 Distinguished Minnesotan Award during commencement ceremonies today.

First presented by Bemidji State in 1981, the Distinguished Minnesotan Award acknowledges the contributions of current or former residents of the state who have performed exemplary service to the people of Minnesota or the United States. Susan Marvin’s father, the late William S. Marvin, received the honor in 1990. Other awardees include transplant surgeon Dr. John Najarian; polar explorer Ann Bancroft; and television journalist Don Shelby.

“Susan Marvin is a stellar example of what the Distinguished Minnesotan Award is all about,” said Richard A. Hanson, president of Bemidji State University. “A product of northern Minnesota, she has remained firmly rooted in her commitment to the area while generously sharing her leadership talents with state and national organizations.

“She is a superb role model for our students, leading by example and proving once again that hard work and commitment to community are keys to success,” Hanson said.

Read more about the award here.

We recently traveled to Warroad, Minn., where the Marvin Windows and Doors’ plant is located. Six miles shy of the Canadian border, nestled against Lake of the Woods, Warroad is a small community where people “huddle together” as Denise Grussing, a facilitator at Marvin Windows and Doors, said.

The below video examines how Marvin Windows and Doors fits into the community and how the community supports Marvin Windows and Doors. It’s the second in a series called “Inside every Marvin window.” The first video took a look at Marvin’s view of service.

As we’re from Minnesota, being unassuming is as much a part of our DNA as ice fishing and lutefisk. So we try to limit our self-praise on this blog.

However (you knew there was a “however,” right?), we recently recorded videos with Marvin Windows and Doors employees in Warroad, Minn. Their stories are so encouraging and their memories so delightful, we must share.

This first video in the “Inside every Marvin window” series looks at Lyle Kvarnlov’s take on customer service. Let us know what you think!