Burnsville, Minnesota
When we set out to find a lake place, we weren’t expecting it to be ten minutes from home—or sitting on a tiny lot with an aging three-room cabin.
But we saw the potential.
The question wasn’t just what could we build, but whether we could build at all. Working closely with the city, we navigated a complex approval process to transform a constrained site into an opportunity.
We designed the home to make the most of every inch—opening it to the lake, blurring indoor and outdoor living, and creating spaces that feel expansive despite the compact footprint.
Performance mattered just as much as design. Using Passive House principles—high-performance insulation, air sealing, and efficient HVAC—we created a home that is exceptionally comfortable year-round with low energy use.
Clad in black steel, the home recedes into the landscape, allowing the lake and trees to take center stage. Inside, warm, modern spaces support both everyday living and gathering with family and friends.
The result is a home that turns constraints into clarity—proof that with the right approach, even the most challenging sites can become something extraordinary.
Architect: Awad Architects
Builder: Awad + Koontz
