Michael Anschel

June 15, 2023

Michael Anschel is the founder and president of OA Design+ Build + Architecture in Minneapolis, MN. He is thew star of Building Resilience, a hot YouTube show about extreme climate construction and extreme home comfort.

Author - All Contributed Content

December 1, 2023

Updated: March 28, 2024

Insulated Structural Slab: How and Why to Install Subslab Insulation (Styrofoam XPS)

For insulated slabs, get the XPS level and tape the seams before adding hydronic tubing

Concrete & Masonry

Insulation & Air Sealing

June 9, 2023

Updated: June 27, 2023

Building Resilience (9): A Redundant Water Management Strategy

Two WRBs and two rain screen systems accommodate two types of wall cladding

June 7, 2023

Updated: June 27, 2023

A Basement Waterproofing System that WORKS

Drain water down and away from the house—even on the inside

Concrete & Masonry

June 2, 2023

Updated: June 27, 2023

Building Resilience (8): All That Glass

First-time installing stackable sliders, a bifold window, and triple-glazed casement windows are fastened through the frames: OA makes the mistakes, so you don't have to!

May 27, 2023

Updated: June 28, 2023

Building Resilience (7): A Glass Window Seat Cube Called Skycove

Installing a 700-pound window into a second-floor rough opening without a crane

Windows & Doors

May 15, 2023

Updated: June 28, 2023

REEL Remodeling: Support a Foundation Without a Footing (#shorts)

Digging down below the bottom of a foundation wall is risky without adding structural support

Concrete & Masonry

May 10, 2023

Updated: June 28, 2023

A GTFO Approach to IAQ

Getting indoor air pollutants OUT of the living space is one way to improve indoor air quality.

HVAC & Mechanicals

April 27, 2023

Updated: July 13, 2023

A Gut Rehab and Addition Double the Size of a Minneapolis Foursquare

A four-part journey into the layers, techniques, and thinking behind the OA Awesome Wall

Concrete & Masonry

Siding & Exterior Trim

June 1, 2022

Updated: December 19, 2023

Building Resilience Season 2: A Project Based Approach to Better Building

Episode list:Intro and OverviewDemo and Deconstruction

HVAC & Mechanicals

Insulation & Air Sealing

Siding & Exterior Trim

Jobsite Handbooks

September 18, 2020

Updated: June 15, 2023

Awesome Wall: Because Sometimes We Screw Up

Belt, suspenders, rainscreen, and redundancy make this wall awesome.

Siding & Exterior Trim

Windows & Doors

July 7, 2017

Updated: June 15, 2023

Framing Tips for Walls with Thick ZIPs

Exterior insulation can create transition problems. Here are a few solutions

Insulation & Air Sealing

Decks & Porches

June 7, 2017

Updated: June 15, 2023

Drone Zone 2: Foundation Waterproofing and Drainage Solutions

A peek at interior and exterior foundation waterproofing in one single house

Concrete & Masonry

May 2, 2017

Updated: June 15, 2023

Demolition Phase of a Foursquare Remodel in Minneapolis

A drone's-eye view of an ongoing remodeling project