Smart. Einstein Smart. — Sophisticated St. Louis

The homeowners wanted a contemporary house fit for six and equipped with the latest and greatest in technology.

By Christy Marshall / Photography by Alise O’Brien

When these homeowners came to Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design, they arrived with definite requests: a modern house with plenty of open space and room for a family of five, an in-law suite for the husband’s father, and clear views into an adjoining golf course. And one more caveat: They had their eye on a highly desirable plot on one of Ladue’s country club grounds, which had laid vacant for 40 years.

How is that possible?

“The reason nobody had ever built on it was it has this unbelievable grade that dropped off front to back,” says Tom Wall, architect and owner of Mitchell Wall. But if they abided by Ladue zoning ordinances, the only option was to design a one-story house with a two-story walkout.

Not possible. It wouldn’t work.

The dramatic stone clad walls and columns create a dramatic entry leading to the staircase. Created by Kirkwood Stairs, it’s made of oak steps and risers with a glass and metal railing.

“A one-story house wouldn’t be high enough to even see over the road much less the golf course that lay behind,” Tom says. “We designed a house that worked with the site. It is a two-story home with a three-story walkout in the back.” Fully aware the design ran counter to all the city’s rules, the team, including the late Greg Garrett, the original Mitchell Wall architect on the project, went to Ladue’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and successfully pled their case. They got the variance and the go ahead for Minton Homes LLC to break ground.

“We wanted to be able to see the view so we wanted floor to ceiling windows,” the homeowner says. “And we wanted something unique that we weren’t seeing everywhere.”

But the first and foremost concern was that the house suit everyone — including and most significantly, the homeowner’s dad.

“We wanted to build a home that worked for us now and going forward,” the homeowner says. “The project started as a means to allow my father to live with us. We wanted to provide him with his own space within the house but in such a way that we were able to maintain an element of separation and independence for him and our existing family of five.” The layout includes an apartment complete with living room, kitchen, breakfast room, bedroom suite and a large closet.

The homeowners also wanted the house to be smart. Einstein, Nicolas Tesla smart.

So as the electrical, plumbing and HVAC were being planned, Walbrandt Electric & Technology came in to insure the 10,000-square-foot house was prepared to handle the technology available now—and in the years to come.

Meet Josh, a fundamental A.I. house manager. “Josh is an amazing complement to the Crestron control system that automates the home,” the homeowner says. “We can open blinds, adjust lights, turn on TVs and music in traditional ways — with handheld remotes, and touchscreens installed throughout the house as well as our phones — but we can also control it with our voice. Simple, intuitive commands anyone can use to perform multiple tasks, no matter where you are in the home and without the need for physical interaction with devices. And Josh provides security that other voice control platforms cannot.” According to Tom Wall, the technology installed in the home even includes sensors on the roof that filter the amount of light outside so that inside it is in sync with the residents’ Circadian rhythms.

Yet another component of this home is its low maintenance. Every element of the house is designed to be maintenance free. The exterior is clad in stone and a metal that looks like wood. The three-sided fireplace is covered in a “porcelain that looks like Corten Steel,” says Emily Castle, owner of Emily Castle Design.

The heating and cooling is geothermal. “We took a lot of steps to make sure it was an ecological home,” Tom says. “It has a lot of passive and active features.”

Sometimes houses overwhelm their owners. The upkeep. The clutter. The gardens. The hassle. The everything. After building their last home, these homeowners decided they no longer wanted the elements integral to a traditional design. They went modern minimal that followed a new mantra: No chintz. No color. No tchotchkes. The family sold their previous house … and (with the exception of four swivel chairs) everything in it.

They enlisted the expertise of Emily Castle. In all of her storied career, she confessed this house was her first foray into modern design.

“[The wife] had strong feelings about this being a quieter home, a more relaxing place, and not as formal [as their previous house],” Emily says. “Everything is new.”

Befitting a contemporary home, all the walls are white. The finishes and furnishings are various shades of beige. The flooring is white oak. Construction took 18 months, all during the pandemic. The family moved in July 2022.

“There is a warm, inviting natural flow throughout the house,” the homeowner says. “Emily Castle was able to create beautiful, comfortable environments throughout with so many amazing details that we certainly wouldn’t have been able to achieve on our own.”

A dramatic entryway looks through the house onto the lush woods bordering the golf course. “You could be in Colorado,” the homeowner says. The living room opens up into the dining room and then kitchen. At the end of the room, glass doors reveal a balcony overlooking the pool, with its infinity edge. Protected against nature’s elements with retractable Phantom Screens, the area is replete with outdoor TV and heaters and speakers squirreled away in the ceiling.

The painting by Zack Smithey was commissioned by Emily Castle. The hood over the stove was created by Stone Fabricators and it’s a one-of-a-kind design. All the cabinetry is by Beck/Allen.

In their previous home, the couple had teak furniture on their deck. No more. “This time around, they wanted comfortable furniture and no maintenance,” Emily says.

Both the in-law suite and primary bedroom suite are on the first floor. Upstairs, the three children have their bedrooms and a communal spot. “We wanted to give the kids their own entertainment space,” Tom says. “There is this wonderful living space at the top of the stairs that has views and its own private little patio. It’s just a relaxing space that was impeccably designed by Emily Castle.”

The floor-to-ceiling windows allow the homeowners to take full advantage of the spectacular views.

The lower level is designed to entertain. “The basement is a veritable playroom for adults and children alike,” Tom says.

Rather than the traditional stadium seating, the media room is furnished with sprawling couches and ottomans from the Italian furniture maker Minotti. A large island and counter with seating for eight faces a small kitchen. The wine storage is created out of plexiglass panels and two of the units partially enclose the homeowner’s office. Also on the floor is a full gym, an infrared sauna, full bath, a mid-century design ping pong table, and a man cave.

Built for the children and their friends, Emily Castle says the couch is easily converted to beds for sleepovers. “I think it’s the children’s favorite piece of furniture in the house,” she says.

One of the most entertaining features in the house is the golf simulator. A 12-foot wide and 16-foot area, it has a tee box, molded felt on the sides, and faces a huge screen. Frequently used by the homeowner, his father, and his son, it’s wired to call up courses from all over the world. Want St. Andrews but don’t feel like flying to Scotland? No problem. Want Bellerive but, alas, you don’t belong? Pebble Beach? Augusta? Consider it done.

“It’s the smartest home I have ever seen in my life,” Tom says. “The whole thing can be operated from an iPhone.”

Einstein, Tesla and da Vinci, would be proud.