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Bio - Distinctions - Awards
Bio
Aarchitects LLC was founded in 2000 by Jeffrey P. Agnes AIA, an award-winning registered architect since 1988.
Mr. Agnes worked at two small firms focusing on residential and corporate work before joining Shea Architects, 1988-1995, as a project designer. At Shea, he developed his retail and restaurant expertise and advanced as a project manager, team leader, and director of design, technology and marketing.
As a principal and partner at SteinDesign, 1995-2000, Agnes gained valuable experience in branding, which translates to all building and client types, giving Aarchitects’ clients a competitive edge.
Mr. Agnes was honored with The American Institute of Architects’ Minnesota Young Architects Citation for “serving as an active and visible example of principled design and service leadership.”
Mr. Agnes has lectured, given tours, and participated in panels and juries for several professional and academic organizations. His design work and essays have appeared in national publications including “Worlds’ Best Store Designs”, “Retail Design and Visual Presentation”, “Chain Store Age”, “Inland Architect”, “Restaurant Hospitality”, “Construction Specifier”, as well as in several regional and local publications.
Agnes received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture in 1985 from the NDSU College of Engineering and Architecture in Fargo, North Dakota.
Mr. Agnes remains active in the design community as a member of the Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA), the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minneapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Distinctions
Guest Critic
University of Minnesota
“Adaptive Reuse: Hospitality Project”
Interior Design Program, 2021
Grand Prior
Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ), 2020-2023
Grand Chancellor
SMOTJ, 2018-20
Grand Secretary
SMOTJ, 2016-18
Guest Lecturer
University of Minnesota
“Restaurant Design”
Interior Design Department, 2017
Article
Star Tribune – August 2016
“Fresh Thyme opens new store in Savage…”
Guest Lecturer
University of Minnesota
“Restaurant Design”
Interior Design Department, 2016
Prior
Priory of the Holy Grail (SMOTJ) 2014-16
Chair
City of Brooklyn Park
Planning Commission, 2005-2006
Vice Chair
City of Brooklyn Park
Planning Commission, 2004-2005
General Officer
City of Brooklyn Park
Planning Commission, 2002-2004
Planning Commissioner
City of Brooklyn Park
Planning Commission, 2000-2002
Article
RETAIL Design and Visual Presentation –Issue January 2006
“Cooks of Crocus Hill”
Article
Architecture Minnesota – Retail Issue July/August 2004
“Kitchen WIZARDS – In It’s First Mall Location, Cooks of Crocus Hill Balances Traditional Values and Contemporary Branding”
Juror
Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA), 2000
“Starr Awards”
Article
Visual Merchandising + Store Design (VM+SD), March 2000
Portfolio Feature - “What’s Cookin’?”
Article
Minnesota Real Estate Journal - Focus on Architecture & Design, December 1999
“Breaking Some Rules Proves Advantageous for Retailer”
Panel Member/Presenter
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), North Central States Idea Exchange, July 1999
“Past Prognostications about the State of Retail and the Shopping Center Industries in the Year 2000”
Juror
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), 1997, 1998, 1999
“Awards of Excellence Competition”
Author
Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA) Newsletter
March 1997
“The Smell of Success”
August 1996
“Understanding Your Architect”
January 1996
“Busing to the Mall”
May 1995
“Can Good Design Save a Bad Retail Concept?”
Round Table Leader
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) North Central States Idea Exchange, August 1997
“New Designs for Retail Space”
Author
Construction Specifier, April 1995
“Food for Thought”
Guest Lecturer
University of Minnesota
Interior Design Department, 1995
“Retail Design”
Article
Minnesota Real Estate Journal Leasing Guide, February 1994
“One Financial Plaza - In Synch with the Development of Downtown Minneapolis”
Tour Leader
Interior Business Designers (IBD) Wisconsin, 1994
“Mall of America Store Design”
Article
Minnesota Real Estate Journal
December 1993
“Focus on Environment”
Lecturer/Tour Leader
American Society of Interior Designers Student Chapter, December 1993
“Retail Design”
Author
One Financial Plaza Views, Sept. 1993
“Architectural Perspective: A Walk through the New OFP”
Article
Design & Display Ideas, February 1993
“Cutting Edge-BFI Recycle Now!”
Panel Member
Interior Business Designers (IBD) Minnesota, 1993
“Quality vs. Fee Based Selection”
Tour Leader
Urban Land Institute (ULI), 1993
“Minneapolis Retail Community”
Article
Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Dec. 1992
“Success Stories-Small Stores See Big Gains at Mall”
Article
Inland Architect, November 1992
“Storefront”
Article
Restaurant Hospitality, November 1992
“The Minneapolis Look”
Article
Minnesota Monthly, July 1992
“Turning Ginger Into Gold”
Article
Minnesota Real Estate Journal, May 1992
“Hey You! Over Here! Mega-Mall Retailers Seeking Visibility”
Guest Lecturer
University of Minnesota College of Human Ecology, 1992
“Retail Design”
Author
Minnesota Real Estate Journal, 1991
“It’s Not Just The Food-Restaurant Design Seeks Opportunity”
Exhibitor
Geometrie Art Gallery
kab’e-nit Art Exhibit, 1990
“Thought Cabinet”
Juror
Minnesota Concrete & Masonry Contractors Association (MC&MCA), 1989
“Excellence in Masonry Competition”
President
American Institute of Architects
North Dakota Student Chapter, 1984
Vice President
American Institute of Architects
North Dakota Student Chapter, 1983
Awards
Award
Minneapolis Award Program Aarchitects LLC “Best of 2021 Minneapolis”
Award
Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA) STARR Award Mixed Use Treasure Island Center, 2018 St. Paul, Minnesota
Award
City of Peoria Illinois ORCHID Award Sheridan Village Shopping Center, 2011 Peoria, Illinois
Award
Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA) STARR Award Design and Aesthetics Harmar Outlot Building, 2009 Roseville, Minnesota
Award
Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA) STARR
Award
Best Renovation/Remodel Axel’s Bonfire, 2003
Woodbury, Minnesota
Award
Chain Store Age, 1998 Retail Store of the Year Autofun, Coon Rapids, MN
Award
AIA Minnesota, 1997 Young Architects Citation
Award
American Society Interior Designers First Place Restaurant/Hospitality, 1993 Tang’s Ginger Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
Award
Skyway News, 1992 Finest Design on a Budget for a New Twin Cities Restaurant Tang’s Ginger Cafe Minneapolis, MN
Award
Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA) Award of Excellence Best Renovation of a Shopping Center Hub Center, 1990 Richfield, Minnesota
Award
Reynolds Aluminum Design Competition First Place, 1982 Rest Station/Water Tower