The Dream Shop No One Else Would Build
“This is my dream shop. It’s been a godsend for what I want to do.”
Ken, a retired engineer in Scandia, Minnesota, wanted a new building next to his home on an apple orchard. He had a simple goal: create a dedicated space for his woodworking shop and apple orchard equipment.
The challenge was finding someone willing to approach it the right way.
After visiting builders at the Minnesota State Fair and gathering quotes, many builders were ready to “put a building up.” Still, few wanted to take the time to understand what he was really trying to accomplish.
That changed when he met the father-son team of Mike and Andre Muzzy of Tundra Built, a Wick Buildings local builder.
What the Owner Wanted
At its core, this project was about balance. Ken needed a high-quality building, but it also had to make sense financially. “We’re very price sensitive,” he noted. “Wick had the best construction value.”
Beyond budget, placement was critical. The building needed to sit between the home and the orchard, creating a natural courtyard that kept everything connected and provided easy access to the workspace.
“This is what we really wanted to do,” he said. “This was the logical place to put it. Some other people proposed other places, and we said ‘no.’”
Ultimately, it wasn’t just about adding a structure. It was about making the property work better as a whole.
What Was Special About the Project
The 54’ x 45′ garage / shop building was constructed according to the planning between Wick Buildings’ in-house engineering team, Tundra Built, and Ken. The final project included such features as:
In-Floor Heating
Comfort and usability were priorities from day one. Ken wanted a space that could be used year-round without dealing with cold floors or condensation on the concrete.
“It’s an incredibly efficient building from a temperature standpoint,” he notes.
The in-floor heating system delivers consistent warmth, creating a stable environment for both work and storage through every season.
A Smarter Approach to a Difficult Site
The biggest challenge was the building site itself. A significant slope sat right where the structure needed to go.
Instead of defaulting to a retaining wall solution, the Tundra Built team reshaped the land and managed drainage to create a stable, long-term foundation.
That approach reduced risk over time and helped the building fit naturally into the property.
High-Efficiency Construction
This wasn’t a standard outbuilding. The structure was designed to perform more like a home.
In addition to the radiant heating system, the building included thicker walls, upgraded insulation, and a fully insulated slab, helping meet residential energy standards.
The result is a space that holds temperature exceptionally well and operates efficiently year-round.
A Concrete Floor Built to Last
The concrete slab was treated as a critical part of the building, not an afterthought.
Tundra Built used a commercial-grade mix with fiberglass and rebar reinforcement, and a detailed curing process. The result is a durable, long-lasting floor built for daily use and designed to remain crack-free.
Exterior Colors to Fit the Property
The building fits the surroundings in terms of functional use, but it was also an aesthetic match to the main house. By aligning the structure with the home and matching exterior colors, the final result creates a cohesive look across the property.
Built with the Future in Mind
Planning extended beyond immediate needs. Structural elements were included to support future additions like a mezzanine workspace, making it easier to expand later without major changes.
“He never said no.”
From Ken’s perspective, what stood out most wasn’t just the finished building. It was how the project was handled.
As a former engineer, he admired the precision and accuracy of the build. “You would look down the line of posts and they would not vary by an eighth of an inch,” he said. “Everything fits together nice and neat, so your efficiency and overall value is enhanced.”
Ken credits Tundra Built with their commitment to the project and solving its difficult challenges.
“Mike just spent so much time trying to figure out how to make this work,” he said. “He never said no.”
In the end, the project delivered more than a garage shop. It created a space that supports Ken’s lifestyle, fits the property, and is built to perform for years to come.
Interested in a project like this? Find a builder in your area!
