The Eagle’s Nest
To build an enduring legacy on the family’s Lake Lizzie lot, West Fargo’s Carrie and Jack Lawrence needed a bold new architectural angle, shifting perspectives backward and upward. With Brent Behm of Ruki Modern and the couple’s sister-in-law, Kimberly Scanlon, NCIDQ, ASID, of Vela Interior Design, the family transformed their beloved shoreline into a sky-high sanctuary. Now a year-round, multi-generational home primed for the next chapter, the Eagle’s Nest keeps family close and spectacular views within reach, soaring high alongside a few feathered friends.
by TRACY NICHOLSON
photos by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY
MODERN FAMILY
When the Lawrences couldn’t build out towards the lake on their 55-foot lot, their only viable option was to build up and back, making the most of their family’s 220-foot-deep lot. Working with Moorhead’s Brent Behm of Ruki Modern, Carrie and Jack spent roughly two years designing and reconfiguring space to suit their family of four, as well as the family members who fell in love with this lake lot 28 years prior.
Brent Behm, Ruki Modern’s Founding Partner, Principal Designer & Fabricator
Jack’s parents were the owners of a small, seasonal cabin on this lot back in 1996. As the years passed and the 1960’s cabin showed its age, his parents contemplated a remodel, but it was too large an undertaking. Jack and Carrie eventually took over stewardship, contemplating the future of their family’s beloved retreat. With a vision for year-round living, accessible design, and future retirement, they enlisted Ruki Modern to craft a contemporary home that would embrace the lot’s depth while capturing breathtaking views from every angle. “It was really meaningful for us to do this while my parents are still able to come out and enjoy it and be a part of it for many more years,” added Jack Lawrence.
“I had two former colleagues that both worked with Ruki on design projects,” explained Jack Lawrence. “We were looking for something that retained a bit of the rustic cabin feel but also had a strong, modern vibe; the projects Ruki had worked on had that. Just his style and what we were looking for matched really well. He had a questionnaire, and we labored over that. It was everything about how we envisioned using the space, the type of style, and the history of why we wanted to stay in this specific spot. Being on a narrow lot, you kind of give up some possibilities, but it was really important for us to stay.”
LAKE LIZZIE LUXE
The Lawrence’s year-round lake home was completed in the spring of 2024, laying out four levels comprised of 3,300 square feet above grade and 1,400 square feet in the lower level. Entering the home from the main entrance at the side, guests are warmly greeted with a fusion of organic elements and Scandinavian minimalism. The foyer’s drop zone was designed with a floating Ipe bench accented by raw cedar planks running from floor to ceiling, offering a detailed glimpse of the dominant materials Scanlon carried throughout the home. Just off the foyer is a small, contemporary powder room, garage entrance, and zero-threshold path to the main-floor primary suite, a demonstration of accessible architecture and future-proofed design.
From Left: Vela Interior Design’s Kate Sutton with Owner Kimberly Scanlon, NCIDQ, ASID
ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE
The main floor’s primary suite/guest bedroom includes a zerothreshold, spa-inspired full bath. Here, the steam shower and its contemporary wood-look tile mimic the home’s raw cedar finishes and sleek architectural lines. The entire main floor is designed for cross-generational accessibility, including grab bars, 36-inch doors, a set-up for a main-floor laundry, and zero threshold entries everywhere, including no steps from the garage into the house. “We did a lot of futureproofing, and that’s where I think Ruki really helped us out, just letting us talk through all of that in the beginning,” said Carrie Lawrence. “Since this was always a family cabin, we really love that the grandparents can still come out. Having all of our family able to be here and have spaces that function for everyone was really important to us. We would like to retire here someday, so we want to be in here as long as possible. If that means we have to be here with walkers, we’re doing it. We also wanted to make sure that the kids (16 and 18) always want to come back.”
#GREATROOMGOALS
Complementing Ruki Modern’s architectural ingenuity within the great room’s 20-foot ceilings and custom stairs, Vela Interior Design coordinated strategic cedar placement, including the design of the TV wall. “The cedar-clad walls and ceilings infuse a quintessential cabin warmth into the otherwise sleek, modern design,” Scanlon explained. This thoughtful detail is further elevated by a floating concrete bench crafted by Zeis Concrete Solutions, which provides additional seating without additional furnishings.
“Nature was our guiding inspiration for this project,” explained Scanlon. “By integrating materials that harmonize with the existing architecture, we crafted a cohesive space that connects with its natural surroundings. Our focus extended beyond aesthetics to functionality. We meticulously selected lighting, fixtures, and finishes that not only complemented the design but elevated it, allowing the unique features of the space to shine without overwhelming them.”
“Hands-down, my favorite feature is the staircase, and a close second is the hanging fireplace,” said Jack Lawrence. The suspended hearth is a Fireorb, handmade in Chicago and fabricated by spinning steel according to a cad-governed form.
As the architectural backdrop to the great room, five handcrafted stair flights cross nearly 40 feet of raw cedar to create dynamic form and function, leading from the lower level to the third level’s primary treetop suite. The stunning stair metalwork and railings were fabricated by Straightline Design, with hardwood treads by Josh Humble of Finuu Designs. “Josh used Ipe, an unstained Brazilian Walnut hardwood, one of the most durable timber species in the world,” added Behm.
“I love the raw cedar, it makes it feel less like a house and more like a cabin, even though it’s fairly modern,” added Carrie Lawrence. Although there is some risk of fading with sunlight, the couple would rather see some fade versus the yellowing or orange hues that come with clear coat applications. Another important feature for the couple was the home’s recessed lighting installed with an Alzak reflector finish to help diffuse light and minimize glare for even illumination.
Not shown, the home’s lower level is an entertainment hub in progress, set up for a wet bar, home theater, game room, and family room with access points from the main floor and garage. The family loves music, so throughout the design, Holsen Home helped them incorporate 13 zones of audio.
CRAFTING CULINARY VIEWS
While Ruki Modern designed the open-concept entertaining space and linear window placement on the kitchen’s perimeter, Vela was instrumental in the final design and layout, helping the Lawrences create function and form as they chose finishes, fixtures, and materials. Here, they opted for semi-flush-mounted lighting to preserve outdoor views, quartz countertops, and dark-stained Alder cabinetry with sleek, minimalist pulls. The team worked with Spaulding Stone for the perimeter and eight-foot island quartz, along with Coordinated Interior Woods for the kitchen’s custom cabinetry, incorporating a large hutch hideaway that serves as a breakfast station for family and guests.
A must-have for the family was a design that created stronger connections to the landscape and lake. “The old cabin had two layers of storm windows, and you could barely see through them,” said Carrie Lawrence. “There was also no view out to the road, a small window by the sink, and just a few windows out to the lake. We really wanted it to be as open as possible and bring the outdoors indoors.”
“A really important aspect of the design was a coherent pattern to the windows that makes sense from both inside and outside,” explained Behm. “This is one of those houses we were able to take some allowances for being more contemporary.”
The Lawrence’s concrete-look flooring is an optical illusion installed in six-foot sheets of Marmoleum to minimize seams, providing a much softer underfoot experience. This laminate flooring—derived primarily from renewable resources like linseed oil, pine rosin, and wood—is often used in commercial settings due to its anti-static and antimicrobial properties. “Linoleum is a durable, biodegradable alternative to LVT, offering a warmer, softer feel underfoot compared to tile or polished concrete,” explained Scanlon. “It doesn’t release toxins as it breaks down and can be endlessly recycled into new products. There are countless reasons to feel good about incorporating it into your home.”
On this site, none of nature’s beauty was taken for granted. All the trees removed during the build were milled and dried at Viking Millwork in Audubon, MN, creating the home’s modern application of a short-profile base and case. Viking’s owner, Nick Olson, is working on a custom-crafted dining table with benches, as well as a live-edge bar top for the future basement bar, all made from the site’s Maple trees.
LOFTY LIVING
Climbing to the second level, the home features nine-foot ceilings and cedar walls overlooking the great room expanse, offering exceptional lake scenery from expansive windows and an Ipe deck crafted by Finnu. This level is a designated kid’s space, complete with a lofted play area used as a teen hangout today and grandchildren someday. The loft was a spontaneous space inspired by Carrie’s childhood vacations to Lutsen Mountain, incorporating a custom-built ladder by Straightline Design. “Just having those little unexpected spaces, that’s probably my favorite part; the little bonus spaces that sort of accidentally happen,” added Carrie Lawrence.
One more intentional, unexpected element is the family’s laundry room, which is designed to disappear. The laundry door only reveals itself with a push to the magnetic catch. “To make this swing out and work with the paneling, it was an engineering marvel by Finnu and Andy Strom of Radiant Homes; they had never done a big outward swing solid core door like this with 3/4-inch paneling on the outside,” explained Jack Lawrence.
Just past the loft and laundry are their son and daughter’s spacious bedrooms, both sharing a universal-style bathroom that allows complete privacy with simultaneous use of the shower, toilet room, and vanities. Topping the vanities are quartz remnants from Spaulding Stone, illuminated by hanging pendants in their children’s color preferences.
While both bedrooms technically have large cedar walk-in closets, they’re currently used as office and art spaces connected by a hidden door. The cedar closets were expanded by design, now considered a bonus room, which was needed to incorporate a load-bearing wall and architecturally balance the roadside facade of the home. This feature provides future flexibility for extra guests, remote work, or grandkids, with ample space to create an ensuite nursery.
“There are a lot of little moments throughout the house, like the loft and secret passageway connecting the two closets,” added Behm. “Much of this came out of a fort-building mentality.”
TREE HOUSE RETREAT
Climbing higher to the home’s spectacular third floor, tranquil bird’seye views capture the heart of Minnesota lakes country. Leading from the cedar walls of the treetop coffee bar and yoga studio, this level transforms into a private penthouse retreat, offering sweeping vistas from bed, bath, or deck. Soaking in the skyline, Ruki Modern’s design includes seven-foot floor-level windows for an immersive and unobstructed indoor-to-outdoor connection. From here, the couple’s suite takes them full circle, traversing from the cedar surroundings of the bedroom to the outdoor Ipe deck and ensuite wet room.
ART + ARCHITECTURE
The couple’s extraordinary ensuite is a work of art and architecture, bathing in the luxury of lakeside views amid custom tile, stone, and glass. The meticulously designed wet room pairs a soaker tub and rain shower, with barrier-free views through a glass patio door that invites lakes country inside. Here, Vela worked with Fargo Glass & Paint and Aetherforge Artisans Tile & Stone to design the custom glass enclosures and 30-inch tile, crafted with hidden drains and glowing LED stone niches. The porcelain tile, with its natural rock design, was chosen for its large format to minimize grout lines and simplify cleaning. Vela ensured the glass-enclosed room made a seamless transition to its Marmoleum laminate, floating Alder vanities with quartzite tops, contemporary minimalist pendants, and the suite’s walk-in closet with laundry chute.
Separating the primary bedroom and ensuite bath is a cozy two-sided peek through a unique fireplace into the soaking tub. To avoid venting through the roof, the Lawrences chose to plumb in a light and water vapor fireplace from Home & Hearth. Transporting the freestanding WoodBridge soaker tub to the top-floor suite was a challenging feat, requiring careful maneuvering and electrical installation underneath the vapor fireplace, which safely powers the tub’s air jets within a wet room setting.
“The shower is undeniably stunning, but our primary focus was enhancing the lake views by integrating natural elements,” explained Scanlon. “The dramatic stone tile was selected to reflect the organic textures of the outdoors while seamless flooring transitions, frameless glass panels, and sleek, matte black fixtures maintain a clean, modern aesthetic that complements the surrounding landscape.”
LAKESIDE LUXURY
On the shoreline of Lake Lizzie, the striking exterior takes its cues from modern-day treehouses, introducing a fusion of wood-look metal siding and contemporary applications of corrugated metal coordinated with two upper Ipe decks. “When I designed the house, we had a program to follow to meet certain needs, but it would not fit on the lot,” said Behm. “This is literally to the square inch as much house as we can get on here. That’s the reason it’s as tall as it is and why we called it the Treehouse.”
Above ground, the house is not conventional frame, instead built with SIP, or structural insulated panel, where two outside faces are OSB, and the middle is a massive slab of foam insulation; devoid of studs in the exterior wall. Although requested, it’s not something Behm readily recommends. “We design the house, then send the plans to the manufacturer, and they cut every single panel, then build it like skinny Legos,” explained Behm. “It is more challenging for a lot of contractors because the factory puts holes where wires and plumbing run. In construction, nothing is ever that precise, and floor slabs are never completely flat, so it is really challenging working without that flexibility.” Although the slimmer material preserved more floor space than conventional construction, Behm now veers toward simpler, cost-competitive concepts.
“When we first started vision building, we talked about doing a LEEDcertified house, we wanted it to be as efficient as possible,” said Jack Lawrence. Although the couple didn’t pursue certification, they did integrate several energy-efficient elements, such as triple-pane windows, extra-insulated doors, lower-level waterproofing, and a thermal break in the garage. Fargo’s Holsen Home helped them install lowvoltage lighting and wiring, along with solar panels on the rooftop.
“We were going for something that had the space to be very functional yet not feel overbearingly large,” added Jack Lawrence. “Both of us liked the idea of being efficient, so there is no wasted space. Brent’s vision for how this could come together was pretty darn amazing.”
Today, the Lawrence family affectionately refers to their home as the Eagle’s Nest, fitting for a sanctuary nestled within the daily flight paths of majestic eagles. Perched among the treetops and admiring lakes country from every architectural angle, they happily share their nest with friends, family, and a few high-flying neighbors.
DESIGN DETAILS:
Architecture: Ruki Modern
Interior Design: Vela Interior Design
General Contractor: Radiant Homes
Cabinetry: Alder, Coordinated Interior Woods (formerly Braaten Cabinets)
Custom Metal Staircase & Railings: Straightline Design
Cedar paneling, & Ipe Stair Treads: Finnu Design
Floating Concrete Bench: Zeis Concrete Solutions
Custom Tilework: Aetherforge Artisans Tile and Stone
Tile: Ramsey Flooring Inc/TileBar
Custom Glass Doors: Fargo Glass & Paint
Drywall: Haman Drywall
Millwork: Viking Millwork
Dimplex Optimist Fireplace: Home & Hearth
Hanging Green Orb Fireplace: FireOrb
Countertops: Spaulding Stone
Appliances: Karl’s TV, Appliance & Furniture
Windows: Marvin Windows
Flooring: Forbo Flooring Systems Marmoleum, Carpet World
Solar Panels, Home Automation, Audio, Security, & Low-Voltage Lighting: Holsen
Home Automation & Solar Siding & Roofing: Zulauf Construction
Boulder Wall & Stone Steps: MW Landscaping
Electrician: Elevate Electric
Plumbing/Fixtures: Home Heating/Ferguson Plumbing Supply
Building Design Efficiency: Solution Design – Larry Mayer
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ruki Modern
422 37th Ave. S.,
Moorhead, MN
701.730.0060
rukimodern@gmail.com
rukimodern.com
Insta: @rukimodern
FB: Ruki Modern Homes
Vela Interior Design
3241 Tanadoona Dr.,
Excelsior, MN
612.568.4627
info@velacreative.com
velacreative.com
Insta: @vela.creative
FB: Vela Interior Design