About

Locale Design Build is a design driven residential design and construction company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that specializes in medium to large scale residential remodeling and new home projects. At Locale, we believe that great design can enhance the way we live and we strive to make every project have a lasting impact on the places that our clients call home.

Locale Design Build brings together a long-standing, highly regarded architectural design team with a strong background in practical, high quality, efficient construction and project management. The architectural team of Jim Scott and Bill Nagel have worked together for close to 15 years prior to Jim’s decision to launch Locale in 2015.

Client experience is a big deal at Locale. It is personal. Home construction projects of any size come with a variety of emotions for homeowners. We understand these are your most precious and intimate family living spaces. Locale is based on the premise that close team collaboration from design all the way through construction result in the most successful projects. The same team that works with you on design will be the team overseeing construction. There is no ‘transition’ from the drawing stage to the building stage. Items discussed during the early design meetings will be followed up on during construction because the team is consistent from start to finish. The communication process is clear, honest and frequent. We take our job seriously, but also have fun doing it.

What we believe

Your project will be thoroughly and thoughtfully designed. All our projects start with elegant, practical architectural design. Every project at Locale benefits from a collaboration among our clients and our very experienced design team. The outcome is a unique combination of form and function optimized for your space and budget

Your project will get built the right way. Because the design team overlaps with the build team and the processes are tightly integrated, nothing gets lost in translation. Our expertise on the build side is strong as is our dedicated cadre of high quality subcontractors. We incorporate the latest materials and methods to allow your home to last for generations.

Your project will enhance the home’s value far into the future. Our goal is to create projects that build long-term value for our homeowners. At a time rife with substandard designs and building methods, we fear many remodeling and in-fill housing projects being completed today will depreciate as the home ages. We design for timelessness and build for longevity.

“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone.”

— John Ruskin

Jim Scott - Principal

Jim has been making things his whole life. He has practiced architectural design in the Twin Cities area for nineteen years and founded Locale Design Build in 2015 to provide clients the ideal partner, from start to finish, on their significant residential design and construction projects. Jim is the rare professional who brings together years of design and construction management experience with a personality that thrives on client collaboration.

As the owner of Locale Design Build, Jim strives for quality in every aspect of the design and building process. Whether it's finding a unique and appropriate design solution or utilizing the best building methods and materials, he pushes for everything at Locale to be thoughtful and lasting. Jim has built long lasting relationships with clients, building professionals and the community.

Jim was born and raised in Minneapolis, obtained BS degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Minnesota. When not at the office he enjoys spending time coaching his children's baseball and fastpitch softball teams as well as hanging out with his family and friends. He has an affinity for classic hip hop and loves fishing and woodworking. Jim lives in Minneapolis with his wife Katie, his two kids and their Boston Terrier.

Bill Nagel - Designer

A true artist, Bill has been creatively solving design challenges and adding beauty to residential architecture projects for over 16 years. In his low key way, Bill consistently finds a design path that works better, feels better, and looks better.

Interested in design as a whole, from the largest gesture to the smallest details, Bill strives to meld the client’s wants and needs with his own design knowledge and experience to create projects that are cohesive, functional and beautiful .

Bill has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota and a Masters Degree in Urban Design from the City University of New York. In his spare time Bill paints, creates illustrations, makes short films and documentaries, is an active member of the IGDA and MNVR&HCI user groups and loves really bad movies. Bill lives in Robbinsdale with his two children.

Andy Midtbo - Project Manager

Andy is our onsite man. His even-keeled demeanor and can-do attitude make him our client’s favorite. Andy has a Business Degree from St John’s University and has spent the last 20 plus years working in the remodeling industry, joining Locale in the fall of 2020.

Andy is a life long hockey player. He never made it to the state tournament but games with the Arden crew have made up for that. Andy really enjoys any sport there is to watch especially if it involves his son or daughter. Golf, biking, reading, visiting breweries, and listening to Jimmy Buffet keep him busy and happy. Andy lives in South Minneapolis with his wife Janet, kids Simon and Celia, his huge dog Copa and the ever-present chickens in the backyard.