The design explores the concept of "What is a modern, Midwestern, stucco house?" The house is a sculptural assembly of functional boxes with color throughout the seasons. In the tradition of Midwestern houses, the design features attic dormers and big, protective hip roofs. The house is expressive and appears spacious, yet the footprint is less than 1000 square feet. Three cubes interlock to define living spaces, each a different color, consistently inside and out, and unified under the roof canopy.

The three acre site is part of mature oak woods between a first ring suburban neighborhood and a lowland marsh and wildflower preserve. The site concept is a walk through the woods, gently teasing the eye with visual and physical pathways to site features and transition spaces. The landscaping continues the oak savanna character, and incorporates native stone walls and prairie plantings.

Post and beam construction allows minimal bearing on exterior skin walls, to maximize energy efficiency. Walls were prefabricated in Canada. The house takes advantage of southern and western exposure for daylight and winter heat gain. Roof and awnings shade summer sun. Details are plain and simple, with useful, tailored built-ins.