Presenting the Manica Lake House
Builder: Brian Faust
Jaw-dropping. That is one word by which to describe this incredible work of art. If you are at a loss for words when first laying eyes on this masterpiece, then join the crowd. Bursting at the seams with unique personality and style, if it initially catches your eye, then it will most likely ultimately capture your heart. The architectural signature of this home truly puts it in a class by itself, and its builder has good reason to put his own stamp on it as part of his outstanding portfolio.
As owner of Faust Construction in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Brian Faust put great passion into this home, but that is nothing unusual for a builder who truly enjoys the industry. Now in its 11th year of business, Faust Construction has been making dreams come true with homes throughout many parts of the metro area, most notably in northern Johnson County, Mission Hills, Leawood and Prairie Village. A graduate of Central Missouri State University with a B.S. degree in Construction Science & Management, Faust began his career on the commercial aspect of the business but did some residential work on the side to further expand his skill set. That eventually led to working with an architect on some modern lofts downtown, a style he perfected and which has become increasingly popular in the suburbs. Faust ultimately took a leap of faith and started his own business in 2005, making a solid name for himself, especially within the world of modern design.
This 4,000 square foot Lake Lotawana beauty with five bedrooms, three full baths, and one half bath, definitely showcases Faust’s natural talent and ability and from the moment its one-of-a-kind curb appeal draws you in, you’ll barely be able to contain your enthusiasm as you open the front door. Its 32-foot tower and 26-foot main living area provide a truly spacious feeling and its seamlessly flowing design allows for perfect incorporation into this steep and narrow lake lot.
A split-level design, upon entering the foyer, you can access four bedrooms, including the main master suite, and two bathrooms upstairs or walk down to the main level. The rift white oak flooring is one of the hallmarks of this home.
“Rift white is one of the most expensive cuts,” explained Faust. “It is very linear and has no inconsistencies throughout. We used 6” wide planks on this home.”
A breath-taking three-level home, Faust will be the first to concede that it was a challenge to build.
“This house required significant efforts to enable proper sheer reinforcing due to the height, amount of windows, and narrow width,” he said. “Multiple areas of the frame are made out of 8” and 10” tube steel and 12” LVLs, and it took 10 months to build.”
The end result, however, was truly worth the effort.
A loft above the front entry, accessible by a built-in ladder and highlighted with one-inch Lexgard Plexiglas (bullet resistant glass) on either side, overlooks the front and back of the home. On the main level are the kitchen, dining and living rooms. A second master-bedroom suite with a large, zero-entry shower sits directly behind the kitchen.
“The homeowner, who is also the architect, built this home with his staff in mind, as they frequently use it for company gatherings,” stated Faust.
The kitchen, an entertainer’s dream, boasts two dishwashers, GE monogram appliances, a cooktop with down drafts that rise out of the counter top with a simple push of a button and recessed directly back into the cabinet, maintaining the seamless and modern vibe of the space. Additional touches include two wine refrigerators that are flush with the wall, three rows of glass backsplash that are movable to adapt the shelf any way you desire. The dark quartz countertop on the island is 3” thick and has a fun waterfall feature that faces the refrigerator.
The equally exciting lower level gives new meaning to “staycation.” A kitchenette/bar area is the perfect place to grab some refreshments before heading into the sauna or out to the water-proofed screened-in porch located under the expansive deck above. A hot tub and a cold tub are easily accessible and both are recessed into the concrete so you can just walk right into them. A nearby fire pit with an outdoor kitchen has the feeling of a resort written all over it and the dock is just a few steps away. This must be what is meant by Heaven on Earth.
The exterior of the home is done in stucco and ¾” aluminum reveals, separating nicely with beautiful rainscreen walls using Azek decking to give a soft touch to the hard stucco look. A couple of highly unique features of this home include the 8” x 10” gutter system with a huge aluminum cover, all of which flows into one single downspout on each side, developed from a commercial design and incorporated into this home to maintain its modern style and flow. And the 16-foot wall with accompanying skylight in the master bathrooms was built entirely of glass.
“We had one of Manica Architecture’s staff members from Europe advise us on how to construct it in three sections with gaskets between them,” explained Faust.
Details. Details. Sure, those elements make this home unique, but from where we stand, it’s overall appeal is just begging us to take a few days off and relax.
