Kenny Siebenhar
Tuscan home design photo in Miami

As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

Speculative Build - Designed and Built by Jensen Quality Homes Kitchen - Flat panel full overlay wood cabinets. Accented color for island counter and top. Granite on main cabinets has Leathered (textured) finish. Character grade oak floors with provincial stain and polyurethane finish

A fresh and inventive response to the McMansion, this new 4,000sf speculative development home has been meticulously designed and executed to deliver a tasteful and functional floor plan which reflects modern living.

History: Client was given a property, that was extremely difficult to build on, with a very steep, 25-30' drop. They tried to sell the property for many years, with no luck. They finally decided that they should build something on it, for themselves, to prove it could be done. No access was allowed at the top of the steep incline. Client assumed it would be an expensive foundation built parallel to the hillside, somehow. Program: The program involved a level for one floor living, (LR/DR/KIT/MBR/UTILITY) as an age-in-place for this recently retired couple. Any other levels should have additional bedrooms that could also feel like a separate AirBnB space, or allow for a future caretaker. There was also a desire for a garage with a recreational vehicle and regular car. The main floor should take advantage of the primary views to the southwest, even though the lot faces due west. Also a desire for easy access to an upper level trail and low maintenance materials with easy maintenance access to roof. The preferred style was a fresher, contemporary feel. Solution: A concept design was presented, initially desired by the client, parallel to the hillside, as they had originally envisioned. An alternate idea was also presented, that was perpendicular to the steep hillside. This avoided having difficult foundations on the steep hillside, by spanning... over it. It also allowed the top, main floor to be farther out on the west end of the site to avoid neighboring view blockage & to better see the primary southwest view. Savings in foundation costs allowed the installation of a residential elevator to get from the garage to the top, main living level. Stairs were also available for regular exercise. An exterior deck was angled towards the primary SW view to the San Juan Islands. The roof was originally desired to be a hip style on all sides, but a better solution allowed for a simple slope back to the 10' high east side for easier maintenance & access, since the west side was almost 50' high! The clients undertook this home as a speculative, temporary project, intending for it to add value, to sell. However, the unexpected solution, and experience in living here, has them wanting to stay forever.

A tranquil reading corner in the double-height Living Room
Example of a large trendy open concept living room design in New York with white walls

Deck - mid-sized contemporary deck idea in Austin

Speculative Build - Designed and Built by Jensen Quality Homes Kitchen - Flat panel full overlay wood cabinets. Accented color for island counter and top. Granite on main cabinets has Leathered (textured) finish. Character grade oak floors with provincial stain and polyurethane finish

Our Sheridian floor plan is one of MHI newest layouts. This home began as a speculative constructed home to sale, but a little over halfway through the project we had a client who opted to purchase the home. The home then turned into a custom new home sale. We had to adjust a few of the originally planned selections as well as exterior features to incorporate the clients preferences into the home. This beautiful custom creation was constructed in the community of Scarlet Ridge located in Ooltewah. Philip Slowiak Photography

This speculative infill community on the site of the former Kachina Day School is comprised of four modernist homes that offer spectacular views of nearby mountains. https://www.drewettworks.com/urban-modern/ Project Details // Urban Modern Location: Kachina Estates, Paradise Valley, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Bedbrock Developers Landscape: Berghoff Design Group Interior Designer for development: Est Est Interior Designer + Furnishings: Ownby Design Photography: Mark Boisclair

This build was one that we took on to discover if we could build a more cost friendly home, and still have some of the same elements as the majority of our other speculative homes. We discovered that although we came in at a lower price point. We had to remove some of the elements that we desire in our homes. We loved the interior layout of the home, but felt that the exterior curb appeal was not exactly as we would have liked. Philip Slowiak Photography

Example of a mid-sized trendy home design design in Other

A fresh and inventive response to the McMansion, this new 4,000sf speculative development home has been meticulously designed and executed to deliver a tasteful and functional floor plan which reflects modern living.

Jon Nissenbaum
Example of a transitional bedroom design in New York

Our Sheridian floor plan is one of MHI newest layouts. This home began as a speculative constructed home to sale, but a little over halfway through the project we had a client who opted to purchase the home. The home then turned into a custom new home sale. We had to adjust a few of the originally planned selections as well as exterior features to incorporate the clients preferences into the home. This beautiful custom creation was constructed in the community of Scarlet Ridge located in Ooltewah. Philip Slowiak Photography

The existing doorway was crumbling apart. Speculation surmised that originally it was a window and at some point was modified into a door. A reclaimed stone header and threshold were tediously adopted into the original stone framework. The rest of the adjoining stone on either side of the entryway was massaged into place to make the outcome look intentional. A custom wood door and accompanying screen door were hung in the renovated opening.

This modern style house was a speculative venture creating a dynamic project which maximized the site constraints and zoning limits. The low pitched lofty roof lines focus on the site views and allow clear story windows for soft filtered light. The stained cedar trim and soffits, stone veneer and metal railings blend the modern architectural design with a northwest flair.

History: Client was given a property, that was extremely difficult to build on, with a very steep, 25-30' drop. They tried to sell the property for many years, with no luck. They finally decided that they should build something on it, for themselves, to prove it could be done. No access was allowed at the top of the steep incline. Client assumed it would be an expensive foundation built parallel to the hillside, somehow. Program: The program involved a level for one floor living, (LR/DR/KIT/MBR/UTILITY) as an age-in-place for this recently retired couple. Any other levels should have additional bedrooms that could also feel like a separate AirBnB space, or allow for a future caretaker. There was also a desire for a garage with a recreational vehicle and regular car. The main floor should take advantage of the primary views to the southwest, even though the lot faces due west. Also a desire for easy access to an upper level trail and low maintenance materials with easy maintenance access to roof. The preferred style was a fresher, contemporary feel. Solution: A concept design was presented, initially desired by the client, parallel to the hillside, as they had originally envisioned. An alternate idea was also presented, that was perpendicular to the steep hillside. This avoided having difficult foundations on the steep hillside, by spanning... over it. It also allowed the top, main floor to be farther out on the west end of the site to avoid neighboring view blockage & to better see the primary southwest view. Savings in foundation costs allowed the installation of a residential elevator to get from the garage to the top, main living level. Stairs were also available for regular exercise. An exterior deck was angled towards the primary SW view to the San Juan Islands. The roof was originally desired to be a hip style on all sides, but a better solution allowed for a simple slope back to the 10' high east side for easier maintenance & access, since the west side was almost 50' high! The clients undertook this home as a speculative, temporary project, intending for it to add value, to sell. However, the unexpected solution, and experience in living here, has them wanting to stay forever.

A fresh and inventive response to the McMansion, this new 4,000sf speculative development home has been meticulously designed and executed to deliver a tasteful and functional floor plan which reflects modern living.