Custom Build Home Professionals in East Bethel, MN

“I want to start by saying that not only would I use SKD architects again, I would ONLY use them. I tore down and replaced the home I'd lived in for twenty years. Steve Kleineman and I began with a discussion where I described my thoughts for my new home. He came up with a drawing which was close. One meeting later he had designed exactly what I wanted. Steve included the level of detail I desired, and, designed several pieces of furniture for specific spots, each on it's own, a masterpiece. My home is custom, inside and out. You will not see this home anywhere else. He designs for the person. Additionally, there is nothing trendy about his designs. I doubt that fifty years from now anybody will be able to say that this home is "typical" of homes built in the early 2000s. Outside, Steve carried out details from the inside making his plan cohesive and beautiful. He was careful in his design not to hurt existing old trees and was not only respectful of my existing lot, he made the very most of it. I had no idea for the entire first twenty years that I lived in my home that my lot could have the beauty it does today. When building began, Steve worked closely with the builder to insure that my vision was carried out meticulously. It felt as though he was working on his own home, that's how involved and accessible he was. Because of it, my home is perfect. He listened closely to my needs and was easy to get along with. When I made changes, he kept the up-charges to a minimum, in some cases actually reducing the price. Construction on my 5,000 square foot home took less than one year from the day they tore down the old house (not as emotional as I'd have thought to see it go) until moving in to my new warm lovely home; slightly under 11 months to be exact. I have seen larger homes, but never any done with any better attention to detail. It is perfect. Feel free to call if you need additional information about this build, but know that I felt it was as easy and enjoyable as it could possibly have been. The only thing I enjoy more is living here.”

“Chris had some really great ideas for our home remodel. She got me thinking outside the box. She is very easy to work with. I would use her again!”

“Jim Kuiken, Jim Kuiken Design, is a talented home designer who has won multi-awards from his industry peers -- this is the highest praise a designer can receive. Jim's work is noted for its roots in nature, use of light, innovative use of materials and an uncanny facility to design for the landscape. His influences include Prairie and California styles, and are represented by original,, function use of space. A Jim Kuiken design brings the outside in, and creates living spaces that you want to spend time in. The capacity in which I worked with Jim Kuiken Design has been as a colleague in the building industry and marketing/communications specialist. The cost of the project only refers to the projects that Jim Kuiken Design works on.”

“Andrea Swan took a dark, dated, depressing space and created a bright, functional modern apartment. She oversaw every aspect of the project and elegantly solved any surprises that emerged during the remodeling. She worked brilliantly with my contractor and was always creative, knowledgeable, respectful, constructive and courteous -- and demanding on behalf of her client.”

“I had an extraordinary experience working with Jeff Murphy and Company. Their attention to detail, their communication skills, and their creativity made the whole project a delight. I couldn't be happier with the plan that Jeff created. It was wonderful to work with an architect who truly listened to me and heard what I was asking for. I feel that my home truly is a reflection of me and all the things that are important to me!”

“Jeff designed a new residential home with us in 2012. He worked with us to create our dream home and did a wonderful job listening to us to bring our vision to life.”

“We just completed construction on our new home in the White Bear Lake, MN area. We had been looking for a tear down opportunity on a nearby lake for a couple years, and when a property presented itself, we quickly sprung into action. We have identified our builders in advance (Sustainable9) and based on our vision for the home, they introduced us to Unfold Architecture. Their previous projects, both out West and here in MN, fit the mountain modern/Minnesota modern style we were seeking. From the get go, the team at Unfold were amazing partners. Through conversations and inspiration photos we shared on Houzz, they took our long wish list (maximized lake views, lower level walkout, modern but welcoming, mid-century influences) and designed the perfect house. Their houses are striking architecturally but also extremely livable and functional. They use state of the art CAD models to help you envision what the home would look like. It’s remarkable how close the house turned out in respect to the early renderings. And throughout the process, they were collaborative partners, incorporating feedback from both us and our builders, presenting us initially with several options and then honing in on our chosen design. We could not be more pleased with the process (even in the midst of Covid challenges) or the end result, which is truly the dream home we envisioned.”

“Working with Tod on the design of our new home was a true joy from start to finish. He was there as our trusted advisor and advocate all the way through the construction process as well. His guidance and personal commitment to our project made our dream home a reality. We would recommend him to anyone needing architectural services. Thank You Tod!”

“David Strand delivered above and beyond our expectations, not only from a design standpoint, but also in terms of service and expertise. He has a unique eye for design and an uncompromising standard for quality. We would highly recommend David and his team to anyone, and would absolutely choose to work with him if the opportunity approached again.”

“A thoughtful and thorough architect, John is directly involved in every aspect of his projects. His aesthetic is always inventive and his attention to detail is extraordinary.”