What Makes a Great Builder-Architect Partnership? Building Forest Frame With Storm Architecture
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I've wanted to build a Storm Architecture project for a while. I've gotten to know Chris Storm over the last couple of years through the Curious Architect Collective, and I've had him on the podcast. I've always appreciated the way he thinks and designs. His talent is undeniable.
But now that we're working together on Forest Frame, what has impressed me most is how Chris and his team treat people.
That's ultimately what makes a great builder-architect partnership: incredible design paired with humility, communication, and a genuine willingness to collaborate with everyone responsible for bringing that design to life. And the Storm team has been pretty incredible at all of it.
What Makes Storm Architecture Different to Work With?
Storm Architecture tends to lean more modern and contemporary than many of the projects we've historically built, so it was really about finding the right client and the right house. Forest Frame was it.
Chris is incredibly thoughtful, but he's also just a kind person. The same is true of his team. Eric Johnson, the lead designer on Forest Frame, and I have gotten to know each other through running and biking together. Rachel, who's also on the project, is an amazing cheerleader for ideas and innovation.
They're exquisitely talented without needing to constantly remind you how talented they are. I always come back to that Maya Angelou quote about how people may forget what you say, but they don't forget how you make them feel. When you're going to work alongside somebody for multiple years, that's more important than you might think.
Why Does Detail Matter in a Builder-Architect Partnership?
I have to talk about Storm's spec book because it's insane. It might actually be 200 pages long. Some builders don't love that level of detail because they're worried it'll overwhelm their guys. Our team loves it. It tells our project managers and subcontractors exactly what's expected, which removes ambiguity in the field.
Their drawings have that same level of thought behind them. And when questions inevitably come up, communication is fast. If our project managers call, email, or ask for a meeting, the Storm team responds quickly. On a complicated build, that's invaluable.
I also highly recommend having construction administration included in the architect's scope. Every two weeks, our entire team meets on site. Storm is there. We're there. The trades are involved.
Storm knows far more about certain aspects of design than I ever will, but they don't approach the project like their voice is the only one that matters. Our electricians, plumbers, HVAC team, subcontractors, and project managers all have a voice at the table. The question is always: How do we get the best project forward?
What Is Forest Frame?
Forest Frame is a home on five previously untouched acres in Orono, Minnesota. The best way I've found to describe it is to imagine Robin Hood living in the 21st century in a high-end modern house in the woods. That's Forest Frame.
The home sits on a hill surrounded by trees, and nearly every view looks into the canopy. You feel like you're somewhere way up north, completely tucked away in nature, but you're really only about 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
And it's under 4,000 square feet. This house proves that great design doesn't require unnecessary square footage. It's tightly designed, incredibly intentional, and filled with unique details. The windows, natural light, and landscaping make the house feel expansive while constantly pulling your attention back outside. Less really is more here.
What Has Been the Biggest Construction Challenge?
The site itself has probably been the hardest part of Forest Frame. We had to create nearly a half-mile road through a property where a road had never existed. We've worked through neighbor culverts, watershed requirements, weather, difficult site access, and the logistics of constructing a house directly into the side of a hill.
It has been a very technical build. Fortunately, I think the hardest pieces are behind us now. And projects like this are another reason that collaboration between architect, builder, client, and trades matters so much. A beautiful rendering is one thing. Figuring out how to execute it on a complicated piece of land is where the whole team comes in.
What Am I Most Excited for People to See?
I can't wait for people to experience the house at night. When you drive up, I think it's going to feel almost like a glowing torch sitting in the middle of the woods.
But what I'm really excited for is people's reaction to the scale. Forest Frame isn't trying to overwhelm you with size. It's the right house in exactly the right setting. Every space has a purpose. Every view feels intentional. The architecture makes you feel connected to the landscape without needing a massive footprint to accomplish it.
Forest Frame is scheduled to be part of the Artisan Home Tour in June 2027 and the AIA Homes by Architects Tour in fall 2027, so people will eventually have a chance to experience it themselves.
I've wanted to work with Chris and Storm Architecture for years. Now that we're doing it, I can say pretty confidently this won't be our last project together. Phenomenal design gets you excited about a project. Phenomenal people make you want to build the next one together.