Rural Providence Project: A Custom Rural Home Built for Family

This rural home, located on five acres overlooking the stunning river valley, is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship can create a dream home for a growing family. Completed in August 2023 in Rochester, Minnesota, the Rural Providence Project was built for a young couple with three children—and one on the way.

A Vision Years in the Making

The clients first connected with us several years ago through the Artisan Home Tour. At the time, they were a young couple just beginning to dream about their future home. What stood out to them was how we treated them—with respect, interest, and a willingness to listen. Unlike other custom home builders who overlooked them due to their age and early-stage planning, we saw their potential and took them seriously. That interaction made a lasting impression, and when the time came to build their forever home, they knew we were the perfect builder for the job!

To bring their vision to life, we partnered with KA Designs and Carl Albert for architectural design and worked closely with Bridget Chirigos for interior design. Together, we created a home that maximizes natural light, embraces all the views, and supports their lifestyle as a busy, growing family!

Overcoming Challenges in this Rural Home Build

One of the biggest hurdles during the building process was its location. Rochester, MN, is a couple of hours away from our core team and office, which meant that bringing our usual trades down for the entire build would significantly increase costs—by several hundred thousand dollars.

To ensure quality while keeping the budget in check, we collaborated with Debbie Price from Zen Homes, a well-respected local builder. This partnership allowed us to balance our expertise in design with the efficiency of using Rochester-based trades. Debbie handled project management and site supervision, while we remained hands-on in the design and key construction elements. This approach worked perfectly, resulting in a home that met our commitment to quality without unnecessary cost overruns!

A Home Designed to Capture Light and Views

The homeowners’ primary request was a "glass box" home, where natural light would flow freely and the surrounding landscape would feel like an extension of their living space. 

Thanks to Pella Windows for their custom window package providing the expansive glass walls and energy-efficient features needed to bring in natural light while maintaining comfort year-round!

We capitalized on several design elements to make this vision a reality:

1. The Great Room

Designed with windows on three sides, the Great Room follows the sun’s path throughout the day, creating a dynamic, light-filled space. Soaring vaulted ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace makes the room an unforgettable heart of the home.

2. The Dining Room

Family dinners were a major priority, so the dining area was positioned at the back of the home with windows on three sides offering panoramic views of the woods, prairie, and a future pool area. Whether it’s a morning sunrise or a golden sunset, every meal has a view!

3. The Mudroom

With three children (and another on the way), organization was essential. The mudroom was designed as a family hub, featuring large sliding patio doors leading to a future pool. Flooded with natural light, this space is as beautiful as it is functional—and it even won a Midwest Home Design Award for its exceptional execution.

A Personal Connection 

This project was extra fun because my in-laws live in Rochester, so I got to visit them while working on this rural home. I often scheduled meetings with the homeowners on weekends when they were available, making the entire experience feel more like a collaboration with friends than a standard client-builder relationship. Because of the success of this project, we’re excited to explore more opportunities in the Rochester area! 

The Rural Providence Project is proof that even in a rural setting, thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and (of course) collaboration can create a dream home.

If you're looking to design your custom home, we'd love to connect. Reach out today, and let’s build something extraordinary together!