“We started in 2005 and had to go to over 20 banks to secure a loan,” Dan says. “They kept telling us, ‘There’s no market here in Kansas City for modern homes.’”

Yet he found a niche that has resonated: warm modern.

“We think there are two types of modern homes: cool modern and warm modern,” Dan explains. “Kansas City is definitely a warm modern area. We heard that when we built our first spec home. People would tour it and say, ‘I don’t typically like modern homes, but I love this house.’”

A perfect example is this home on acreage in south Overland Park, uniquely custom-designed for the homeowner—and the lot.

“If the lot has a view, we take advantage of that,” Dan says.

In this case, a pond behind the house became a focal point to highlight. The most effective way to do that, of course, is with ample windows—and this home is a showcase in the advantages of numerous oversized windows, including two soaring sets that frame the living area with panoramic views.

Guided by homeowner input, one of the design goals included creating a graceful curvature throughout the interior and exterior. Look closely, and you’ll see that the roof sweeps into a subtle arc. That swoop is mirrored inside the home with tube steel beams that were heated then curved to create an eye-catching contrast with the stained wood ceiling.

“We think the home’s structure is beautiful, so we didn’t want to obscure it with Sheetrock,” Dan notes.