Designing Homes That Work For Real Life: Garrison Groustra, VP of Design, Shares his take on Vision and Function

Meet the Mind Behind the Home Plans

Every Hanson Builders home begins long before construction starts. It begins with a conversation, a sketch, and an idea of how a family wants to live.

For Garrison Groustra, our Vice President of Design, home design has never been just about creating beautiful architecture. It’s about understanding people and helping families thrive.

Growing up in a creative family, design was woven into his everyday life. His mother worked as an artist and graphic designer, while his father built custom motor coaches for professional racing teams as a welder and metal fabricator. Creativity wasn’t something reserved for work, it was simply how problems were solved.

“I was always fascinated by architecture,” he says. “As a kid I was constantly drawing houses, building with LEGOs, sketching floor plans, studying the Parade of Homes, and paying attention to the size and proportions of buildings.”

That childhood curiosity eventually evolved into a career designing homes that don’t just look beautiful they also live beautifully.

Designing Around the Way Families Live

Ask him what separates a good floor plan from a great one, and the answer isn’t square footage or impressive features.

Instead, it starts with one simple question: “Where is the heart of the home?”

Every family answers that differently. Some love entertaining large groups. Others want cozy gathering spaces where everyone naturally comes together. The goal is never to design the biggest home possible; it’s to design the right home for the people who will live there.

“The best compliment I can receive is when a homeowner tells me, ‘This house just works.’”

That philosophy shapes every design decision, from the relationship between the kitchen, dining room, and great room to how outdoor spaces connect with everyday living.

A Home That Belongs

Before the first line of a floor plan is drawn, he studies the homesite itself.

Every lot offers opportunities and challenges. Sun orientation, views, topography, and curb appeal all influence the design.

“The best homes feel like they belong on the property rather than simply being placed on it.”

Inside, thoughtful sightlines become just as important. One of his favorite design moments is creating an entry where your eyes naturally travel through the home toward a beautiful view beyond. It’s a moment that just feels good.

Timeless Over Trendy

While trends come and go, great design lasts.

For him, timeless homes begin with proper proportion and scale. Ceiling heights, window sizes, fireplaces, kitchen islands, and room relationships all work together to create spaces that simply feel right, even if homeowners can’t quite explain why.

Natural materials like wood and stone also play an important role because they continue to stand the test of time, adapting to changing styles without losing their appeal.

Rather than chasing what’s popular today, he focuses on creating homes that will still feel relevant decades from now.

Experience Changes Everything

His design philosophy has evolved over the years. Early in his career, bigger often felt better. Today, experience, and becoming a father, has shifted that perspective.

Watching his own children grow up has changed the way he thinks about floor plans. He’s seen firsthand where kids naturally gather, where backpacks and shoes accumulate, how traffic moves through a home, and how different spaces support everyday family life.

Those observations have reinforced something he has always believed: exceptional home design isn’t about impressing guests for a few hours. It’s about making everyday life easier for years to come.

The Hanson Builders Difference

One of the things he believes sets Hanson Builders apart is the collaborative design process. Rather than fitting families into a predetermined plan, the design team spends time understanding how each homeowner lives, what they love about their current home, and what they’d like to improve.

By investing in thoughtful planning before construction begins, homeowners can move through the building process with confidence, knowing their home was designed specifically for them.

“We work hard to get the design right before construction ever begins,” he says. “When we’ve done our job well, homeowners can simply enjoy watching their home come to life.”

For him, that’s what great home design has always been about, not just creating beautiful homes, but creating homes that truly live well.

You can find our many award-winning floor plans here. Learn more about our home building process here.

In his role as VP of Design, Garrison oversees home design, project management, architectural approvals, permit submissions, and other aspects of the drafting process. He guides clients through their many customization options and works closely with his team to ensure accuracy in all home plans.

Garrison joined Hanson Builders in 2013 as a Drafting Assistant, gradually taking on more responsibilities until landing in his current role. He was drawn to Hanson Builders’ reputation for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to client vision. He appreciates being part of a collaborative team that finds creative solutions for every challenge. And most of all, he loves building homes that families will enjoy for years to come. Garrison studies architectural drafting at Anoka Technical College. Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two sons Weston and Grayson. He also likes to travel and work on projects around his home.