This local builder’s dream home combines Spanish influences with contemporary design for a stunning architectural statement.
Story by Ann Butenas / Photography by Angier Photography
In the heart of Prairie Village, a striking Spanish modern home stands as a testament to what happens when professional passion meets personal vision. Joe Woods, owner of MOJO Built, and his wife Leslie, have created their dream home that bridges their professional expertise and personal inspiration.
Influenced by their travels to Southern California and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the couple partnered with architect Adam Pfeifer to design a 4,575-square-foot residence that beautifully blends traditional hacienda elements with contemporary design.
“We did a lot of planning when designing this home,” said Joe. “It took time to get things just right, but every detail reflects our vision.”
From the start, the couple conceptualized a space that would feel both timeless and fresh, rooted in the traditions they love while offering the clean, functional lines that suit modern living. Authentic elements like stucco walls, dry-stacked native stone, and Spanish tile roofing anchor the structure’s heritage roots. Their approach was not simply aesthetic, but also emotional, infusing their home with memories of the landscapes, colors, and materials they encountered during their travels.
The personal touch is evident throughout their residence, where eclectic elements, weathered furniture, and unique accessories create a home that feels both curated and authentic. “We pick up something for our home every time we go down to Cabo,” Joe shared, a place that holds a special meaning for the Woods family.
The home was built from scratch after removing the original structure on the lot, allowing the team to fully tailor the layout and architectural style to fit their vision, while maintaining a respectful dialogue with its neighborhood surroundings. The layout is based on three interconnected bars: two wings running front to back, with a central hub that unites the spaces together, ultimately creating distinct zones for living and sleeping.
Echoing the hacienda custom of prioritizing both function and flow, natural light pours into the central hub of the dwelling, offering a dramatic, continuous visual connection through the home. “It greets you at the front, and you can see through it to the back of the house,” said Joe.
Approaching the home, a steel slat privacy wall marks the front courtyard, creating an immediate sense of retreat. Visitors are enveloped in the soothing sound of flowing water from a continuous running fountain, welcoming them to the tranquil environment that the entire property emits.
The entryway makes a bold architectural impression with hammered steel double doors featuring a bronze-like finish and opaque windowpanes. Inside, a handmade credenza from India placed beneath a striking cowboy painting – an early expression of the couple’s distinct and collected style – greets guests.
The left wing houses the sleeping quarters, including a first-floor primary suite designed with comfort and privacy in mind. Large windows and natural materials contribute to a restful environment. The kitchen, pantry, dining area, mudroom, half bath, and garage can be found in the right wing. The central connecting section includes the living room, staircase, and entryway, serving as a center for natural movement and connection throughout the home.
Inside, the design reflects a strong sense of purpose. The open-concept kitchen features a multi-functional island and leads to a concealed secondary kitchen equipped for entertaining – a favorite feature for the couple, who frequently host family and friends.
Vaulted ceilings draw the eye upward, while distressed faux wood beams add warmth and historic character. Carefully chosen objects throughout the space — like a petrified cactus discovered at a Kansas City estate sale — help tie the house to its regional roots. Locally sourced pendant lights provide both illumination and visual texture.
The finished basement adds generous square footage, providing additional living space while preserving the clean, horizontal layout above. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gym, a movie room, and a quartzite-accented wet bar adorned with decorative skulls — a playful nod to the home’s Southwestern leanings — finish out this lower level.
The rear of the property opens into a stepped-down patio with a built-in gas firepit surrounded by reclaimed wine-barrel seating. A thoughtfully conceived outdoor space to host and unwind.
Adam explained that the rear courtyard was carefully designed so the firepit would remain below the interior sightline — a subtle but important decision made possible by lowering the patio. This elevation change ensures that when viewed from the living room, the visual harmony demonstrated throughout the entire project is continued through the backyard.
The collaboration between Woods and Pfeifer was key. With Joe’s construction expertise and Adam’s architectural vision, they aligned technical precision with personal aesthetics. “The owners love the details in modern Spanish architecture,” said Adam. Their shared experience working on client homes helped them navigate this deeply bespoke project with clarity and trust.
In every element, the home balances old-world charm with modern needs. It honors the Spanish architectural tradition while embracing function, flow, and individualism — a true hacienda with a modern agenda.
Resources
- Builder/Contractor: MOJO Built
- Architect: apd_studios+
- Appliances: Ferguson Home – Miele
- Art: Restoration Hardware, Various Others
- Cabinets: RT Wilson Creations
- Countertops: Stone Surface
- Doors: McCray Lumber
- Fireplace: Complete Home Concepts
- Flooring: Northcraft Flooring
- Furniture: Restoration Hardware
- Garage Doors: A Total Door
- Garage Flooring: Granite Garage Floors
- Hardware: Locks and Pulls – Emtek
- Home Audio/Video/Home Theater: Wire It Up Electric
- Landscaping / Hardscaping / Landscape Lighting: Doctor’s Lawn and Landscape
- Light Fixtures: Restoration Hardware
- Lumber: McCray Lumber
- Plumbing & Fixtures: Miller Plumbing, Delta Trinsic
- Stone Company: Becca Stone
- Tile: Northcraft Flooring
- Windows: Marvin – KC Building Supply
- Window Coverings: Budget Blinds
