Elevated Lake Views - Kansas City Homes & Style

Builder Brian Faust brings his signature craftsmanship home with a stunning residence that strategically captures lake views.

Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matt Kocourek

When Brian Faust, owner of Faust Construction, decided to build a home for his family at Lake Winnebago, Missouri, he approached it with the same meticulous attention to detail that has defined his professional work since 2003. Situated on the second tier of the lake community, the 3,600-square-foot modern masterpiece embodies Faust’s signature contemporary style while incorporating thoughtful elements designed to maximize views despite not being directly on the water.

“From the rooftop, you can see the entire channel at night,” Faust explained, referencing the home’s crowning feature, which is a 400-square-foot rooftop deck complete with artificial turf that offers panoramic views of Lake Winnebago. This elevated outdoor living space represents the family’s forward-thinking approach; while they don’t currently own lakefront property, they’ve designed their home with lake views in mind, anticipating a future move closer to the water.

The rooftop oasis is more than just a viewpoint. Equipped with two televisions, a sink, kegerator, refrigerator, and ample storage, it transforms into an entertainment hub where bar chairs are strategically positioned to maximize lake vistas. The decking here matches the style and material of the other decks throughout the property, creating visual continuity. Access to this sky-high retreat comes via distinctive stairs just off the entry way, leading visitors through a thoughtfully designed vestibule visible from the front exterior through a window above the garage.

These interior stairs are architectural features in their own right, too, with open risers and treads that create a striking visual element.

“We put a wall in between the stairs and added a ¾-inch solid steel plate and bolted it to the wall,” Faust noted. “The steel is blackened, not painted, and goes up the side of the wall. It was the most affordable way to accomplish our design vision while maintaining structural integrity.” This innovative approach to the staircase exemplifies how Faust balances aesthetic goals with practical construction solutions throughout the home.

The two-story residence places the primary suite, office, laundry room, kitchen, and living areas on the main level, while the lower-level houses three additional bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a theater room. This thoughtful floor plan ensures optimal use of the home’s expansive footprint, which also accommodates four garages — two up and two down — providing ample space for vehicles and storage.

The home’s exterior makes a bold statement with hardy lap siding in black wood, complemented by light gray board and batten smart siding with custom vertical pieces on the upper portion. The front porch enhances curb appeal with Douglas Fir in vertical grain, knot-free and linear in presentation, finished with a custom stain that harmonizes with the porch and deck areas.

At night, the residence transforms dramatically through innovative lighting. The decks feature lights embedded in the floors that project upward toward the ceiling, creating a luminous glow that contrasts with the dark exterior.

“Because the exterior of the home is so dark, these lights add a special attraction at night,” emphasized Faust. This head-turning illumination turns the home into a glowing landmark after sunset.

The property boasts ample outdoor living spaces beyond the rooftop. A deck runs the full length of the house in the back, while another extends off the kitchen and living room area and features a grill for outdoor cooking. Faust notes that the architect designed the main deck to evoke a boardwalk leading to a dock, another nod to lakeside living. The kitchen-adjacent deck is positioned just above the lower garage, maximizing the use of vertical space.

Indoor comfort meets contemporary design through heated concrete flooring in the kitchen, dining, living room, and theater areas. Other spaces feature hardwood floors, with carpet reserved for the downstairs bedrooms.

The kitchen showcases rift walnut cabinets alongside painted units, penny tile backsplash, and quartzite countertops on both perimeter surfaces and the island. GE Café appliances offer modern functionality, while the walnut hood above the range draws the eye upward to the impressive ceiling height, a feature Faust initially feared might overwhelm the space but now appreciates for its balanced grandeur and aesthetic.

The cabinets feature distinctive hardware. Linear pulls called thumb tabs sit flush with the drawers, creating a sleek, nearly invisible appearance that contributes to the home’s clean lines. Nearby, clerestory windows near the ceiling in the dining area bring in additional natural light without sacrificing privacy.

Attention to detail distinguishes every space. All doors, both exterior and interior, feature concealed hinges that disappear when the door is viewed straight on. Baseboards sit flush with walls, creating seamless transitions throughout the home. In the primary bathroom, a floating vanity with under-lighting complements black granite counters, while a built-out mirror allows accent lighting to shine from behind. Large-format concrete tiles measuring two feet by four feet extend from the floor into the shower for visual continuity.

Throughout the project, Faust’s wife Jaime played a crucial role in creating the home’s cohesive aesthetic. She selected all the furniture and finishes for the residence, ensuring that the interior design complements the architectural elements. This collaborative approach has resulted in a home where structural innovation and interior styling work in perfect harmony.

The Faust residence exemplifies what happens when a builder applies professional expertise to creating a private sanctuary. Each feature, from the concealed door hinges to the illuminated deck floors, reflects Faust’s commitment to the same exceptional standards he delivers to clients. Yet beyond the technical excellence, this second-tier Lake Winnebago home tells a more personal story, one of creating an ideal living environment with an eye toward future dreams of lakefront living while maximizing their current location’s potential through elevated design.

As evening falls and the deck lights illuminate the home’s striking silhouette, this home doesn’t just showcase modern design principles. It also demonstrates how intentional architecture can transform living into an extraordinary experience. The seamless interior details all contribute to a home that stands as a testament to Faust’s building philosophy and Jaime’s design sensibilities.

For a lake-loving family, this modern lakeside masterpiece represents both their skilled craftsmanship and personal taste. This is a place where innovative construction techniques and carefully selected finishes come together to create not just a house, but a beautifully crafted home that anticipates their future while enhancing their present.