Ryan Andrews Design Portfolio

built works·

PINNACLE MODERN·SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

MOON DREAM·LAKE WACONIA, MINNESOTA

MODERN OASIS·GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA

MINNETONKA MODERN·MINNETONKA BEACH, MINNESOTA

VILLA MADERA·GUANACASTE·PLAYA HERMOSA, COSTA RICA

SKY PALACE·RIYAHD, SAUDI ARABIA

RA

ryan andrews

in construction·

FENG SHUI·COUER D’ALENE, IDAHO

CLUBHOUSE·NORTH OAKS, MINNESOTA

WHITE OAKS SAVANNAH·STILLWATER, MINNESOTA

CAPELLA TOWER ROOFTOP·MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

concepts

+ renderings·

BEACH HOUSE·GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS

TAMARACK·WOODBURY, MINNESOTA

AREA SIX·RIYAHD, SAUDI ARABIA

DESERT OASIS·RIYAHD, SAUDI ARABIA

PURA VIDA·GUANACASTE·PLAYA HERMOSA, COSTA RICA

competitions

2024 RALPH RAPSON TRAVELING STUDY AWARD SUBMISSION

pinnacle modern

Wíta Wanáǧi

Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) is the only naturally occurring waterfall along Ȟaȟáwakpá (Mississippi River) and is fundamentally why Minneapolis was located here. Owámniyomni is one of several sacred places to the Dakota people, and is referred to as Bdóte; the center of Creation. Oral tradition explains how Dakota people came to being tens of thousands of years ago at the confuence of Ȟaȟáwakpá and Mnísota Wakpá (Minnesota River). This explains the cultural signifcance and reverence by the Dakota for the sacredness of Owámniyomni and Wíta Wanáǧi (Spirit Island) which are part of Bdóte.

Dakota tradition describes an ancient sacred relationship between the land, sky and stars, known as Kapemni “as above, it is below” - symbolized with two triangles pointing up and down. The river, Ȟaȟáwakpá, refects the Milky Way as the Caŋku Wanagi (Spirit Road) that the spirit journeys upon to birth. Because of these beliefs, Dakota women would travel to the sacred island Wíta Wanáǧi at the base of Owámniyomni to give birth and honor the river and cosmos as a source of life.

In the 1800’s the Industrial Revolution forever transformed the Falls by harnessing the water’s energy, and as a result, many ancient sacred sites used by Dakota for ceremonies honoring the circle of life were lost to time.

It is estimated only one-sixth of Wíta Wanáǧi remained in 1899 after workers quarried limestone and sandstone from the island to serve the infux of growth of Minneapolis. In 1960, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began dredging what remained of the island to ease navigation of river trafc through the Upper Lock and Dam. When the lock opened in 1964, the island was completely gone. All that remains of Wíta Wanáǧi today are mere remnants of the island; a narrow jetty south of the Stone Arch Bridge.

The closure of Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock in 2015 brings new opportunities and has led the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider ceding ownership of the land in 2024. The Dakota-led organization Owámniyomni Okhódayapi (Friends of the Falls), working alongside the City, have outlined a vision in The Falls Initiative “to create a place of healing, restoration, and education to protect and honor the Falls and it’s cultural and spiritual signifcance”. The goal of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi is to return the land to Dakota leadership where all are welcome and to restore the Owámniyomni area to a more natural state.

This proposal to rebuild Spirit Island and rejuvenate it’s sacredness is in unison with the core values of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi - a place inclusive of all peoples to gather, refect, and heal while honoring Dakota culture. The vision is to connect community and cultures while sharing the identity of the Dakota people through language, art, and celebration of tradition.

Location of Wíta Wanáǧi:

Artist’s impression of Father Hennepin’s portage at Owámniyomni. Bierstadt, 1680.

The bridge to Wíta Wanáǧi refects the movement of water and is accessible for all.

Art above freplace: In memory of Anpetu Sapa Win, who tragically lost her life over the falls. Art was created with Midjourney AI.

A place to gather, share stories, and refect in the heart of Minneapolis.

A place to gather and celebrate tradition. The pillars of the Tipi represent core Dakota values.

Workers quarrying limestone and sandstone from the island, 1899. Hennepin County Library.

It was once said, “The most difcult, the most important journey that we will ever take in our lives, is the eighteen inches from our head to our heart.”

Exterior Perspective 1 - Doors Opened

Roof Deck - Schematic Design Update - 01/23/24

white oaks savannah

TERRACE

COVERED ENTRY

GREATROOM

KITCHEN

POOL TERRACE

COVERED

BEACH CARIBBEAN

AUTO COURT

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

ENSUITE SUITE

ADDITIONAL REPEATABLE DESIGNS