Contemporary Custom Homes: Glass, Lines, Light

A Fresh Take on Modern Living

Contemporary custom home design with glass, clean lines, and light-driven spaces. Explore bespoke builds, view our portfolio, and start your vision today. If you imagine a house that feels bright, open, and beautifully simple, a contemporary custom home is a perfect fit. This style blends strong geometry, large windows, natural materials, and flexible layouts so your daily life feels easy and inspired. At Bower Design and Construction, we help homeowners in Southeastern Wisconsin bring this look to life with smart planning, precise craftsmanship, and a friendly, personal process.

What Makes a Contemporary Custom Home

The Design DNA: Glass, Lines, Light

Contemporary style celebrates clarity. Instead of heavy ornament, it focuses on glass, straight lines, and balanced light. When these three ideas work together, you get rooms that feel calm, connected, and timeless. A successful contemporary custom home does not chase trends. It uses lasting materials and thoughtful details so the house looks fresh for decades.

Glass invites daylight and views, expanding the perceived size of each room.
Clean lines simplify shapes and trim so the eye can rest on form and texture.
Light, both natural and layered electric lighting, shapes the mood from sunrise to evening.

Form Meets Function

While the style is streamlined, a contemporary custom home is not cold. It is warm and livable thanks to smart storage, natural finishes, and energy-efficient construction. Bower Design and Construction aligns each design choice with how you cook, relax, work, and entertain. That means fewer unused spaces and more of what you love.

The Power of Glass

Glass is the hallmark of contemporary architecture. Done right, it frames the outdoors like artwork and fills spaces with even daylight. In Wisconsin, the right glass boosts comfort all year. High-performance windows and doors reduce drafts, control glare, and cut energy costs while keeping the clean aesthetic you want.

Picture windows and sliders support an indoor-outdoor feel without bulky frames.
Clerestory windows bring light deep into the home while preserving privacy.
Frosted or patterned glass keeps bathrooms bright without exposing views.
Thermally broken frames and Low-E coatings manage heat loss and solar gain.

Clean Lines That Live Well

Minimalist lines are more than a look. They make daily living easier. Fewer visual distractions translate to a calmer home. Details like flat-panel cabinets, flush baseboards, and simple stair rails keep surfaces crisp. With careful planning, the result feels both natural and high-end.

Simple roof profiles reduce maintenance and emphasize the home’s geometry.
Trimless door and window openings highlight materials and craftsmanship.
Concealed storage and built-ins remove clutter without adding bulk.
Neutral palettes let wood, stone, and daylight take center stage.

Light First: Daylight and Lighting Design

Light is the quiet ingredient that makes a contemporary custom home glow. Placement of windows, skylights, and glass doors should follow how the sun moves across your lot. Then a layered lighting plan carries the look into evening with soft ambient light, focused task light, and artful accents.

Start with orientation and window sizes that deliver balanced daylight.
Add clerestory or skylights in central spaces to reach interior zones.
Use light shelves or reflective surfaces to bounce natural light deeper.
Include shades and exterior overhangs to control glare in summer months.

Night Lighting That Complements the Architecture

At night, a thoughtful lighting plan keeps the serene mood intact while making tasks easy and safe.

Recessed ambient lights create an even wash without harsh shadows.
Linear under-cabinet lighting brightens counters without visual clutter.
Wall sconces and small pendants add warm dimension in dining and living areas.
Exterior path and step lighting boosts safety and highlights the home’s lines.

Floor Plans That Fit Your Life

No two families live the same way. The plan should reflect your routines and hobbies. Bower Design and Construction listens first, then shapes spaces around the way you live from morning coffee to weekend gatherings. The goal is simple: a contemporary custom home that fits you today and adapts to tomorrow.

Open kitchen, dining, and living areas for easy flow and hosting.
Flexible rooms that can shift from office to guest room as needs change.
Generous mudrooms with hidden storage for Wisconsin winters.
Primary suites that balance openness with a quiet private retreat.
Lower levels designed for media, fitness, or play without feeling like a basement.

Materials and Finishes That Belong in Wisconsin

Contemporary does not have to feel stark. Natural materials add warmth and texture, especially in our four-season climate. Durable choices are key for long-term value and low maintenance.

Engineered wood or porcelain for floors stands up to snow and pets.
Quartz and sintered stone counters deliver sleek looks and resilience.
Thermal wood or fiber cement siding keeps lines crisp and resists weather.
Black or bronze window frames create strong visual contrast with light walls.
Exposed wood ceilings or beams add cozy character without clutter.

Energy Efficiency and Comfort

Efficiency is built in, not bolted on. Tight building envelopes, advanced insulation, and smart mechanical systems work together so rooms feel comfortable all year and energy bills stay manageable. Bower Design and Construction uses proven methods and trusted products to hit performance goals without compromising design.

High-performance windows sized for views and energy control.
Continuous exterior insulation to reduce thermal bridging.
Sealed and tested air barriers for consistent comfort and air quality.
High-efficiency HVAC with zoning to match room use and sun exposure.
Optional solar-ready wiring and EV charging for future upgrades.

Smart Home Technology That Simplifies

Technology should be helpful and invisible. In a contemporary custom home, discreet devices support safety, comfort, and entertainment without visual clutter. Bower Design and Construction coordinates wiring and equipment locations so you get clean walls and reliable performance.

Smart thermostats and zoned controls for precise comfort.
Lighting scenes that adapt from workday to movie night with one tap.
Hidden speakers and structured wiring that keep sight lines open.
Security cameras and locks for peace of mind at home or away.

Indoor-Outdoor Living in Every Season

Contemporary homes blur the line between inside and out. Even in Wisconsin, you can enjoy fresh air more months of the year with the right planning. By aligning doors, decks, patios, and landscaping, your home extends outward with ease.

Multi-slide or folding glass walls connect living rooms to patios.
Covered outdoor rooms with heaters and ceiling fans extend the season.
Durable composite decks and concrete patios for low upkeep.
Landscape lighting and simple plantings that echo clean architectural lines.

The Bower Design and Construction Difference

Bower Design and Construction is a family-owned builder based in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Founded by Eugene Bower in 1978, our team has served Southeastern Wisconsin for more than 40 years with custom homes, remodeling, additions, and post-frame construction. We pair a strong work ethic with careful project management and clear communication. Our State of Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor certification and membership in the Union Grove Chamber of Commerce reflect our commitment to quality and ethical practices.

Local expertise in siting, zoning, and building codes across Southeastern Wisconsin.
A collaborative design-build approach that streamlines decisions and schedule.
Trusted trade partners who understand contemporary detailing and finishes.
Transparent budgets and schedules, updated as selections are refined.

Our Contemporary Custom Home Process

Listen and learn: We start with your priorities, inspiration, and budget targets.
Site study: We evaluate views, sun paths, topography, and utilities.
Concept design: We shape a plan that places glass, lines, and light with purpose.
Pricing feedback: We align scope and costs early to avoid surprises.
Selections: We guide you through windows, siding, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures.
Permits and approvals: We handle documentation and coordinate with local authorities.
Build: Our field team executes details cleanly and keeps the site organized.
Walkthrough and tune-up: We verify performance and explain systems in plain language.
Warranty support: We stand behind our work and remain a call away.

Budget and Timeline Basics

A contemporary custom home can be shaped to many budgets. Cost depends on size, structural choices, window count and quality, and level of finishes. Bower Design and Construction helps you invest where it matters most for comfort, durability, and resale. Early planning and quick decisions keep schedules on track.

Windows and doors are a big driver of both look and cost. We help balance performance with aesthetics.
Simpler rooflines can trim structural costs while reinforcing the clean style.
Thoughtful square footage often beats sheer size. Right-sized rooms are more enjoyable and efficient.
Lead times for windows, cabinets, and specialty items affect schedule. Early selections help.

Site and Code Insights for Southeastern Wisconsin

Local conditions shape smart design. From snow loads to lake-effect winds, we build for reality. Proper site placement and building science keep your contemporary custom home looking sharp and performing well for years.

Snow and ice management inform roof pitch and exterior drainage.
Energy code compliance pairs with tight envelopes and verified air sealing.
Wind exposure guides window specifications and fastening methods.
Permitting and inspections vary by municipality. Our team handles the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a contemporary custom home take to build

Timelines vary by size, complexity, and site conditions. A typical schedule runs 8 to 12 months from groundbreaking after design and permit approvals. Early selections and quick decisions help keep the build moving. Bower Design and Construction provides a realistic plan and updates you as milestones are met.

What size or budget is best for this style

Contemporary can scale up or down. The key is quality window systems, solid building fundamentals, and disciplined details. We often recommend investing in performance windows, insulation, and lighting, then selecting durable midrange finishes that fit the look. Bower Design and Construction will help you set priorities that match your goals.

Can you remodel my current house into a contemporary custom home

Yes. Many homes can transform with new window openings, reworked layouts, updated siding, and thoughtful interiors. We assess structural limits, historic features, and zoning to craft a practical plan. Whether you build new or remodel, the same principles of glass, lines, and light apply.

Do you offer post-frame options for modern designs

Post-frame construction can be an excellent fit for large open spans, studios, and mixed-use spaces with a modern look. Bower Design and Construction builds both residential and commercial post-frame structures and can blend contemporary finishes with cost-effective framing.

Will you work with my architect or interior designer

Absolutely. We collaborate with outside architects and designers or provide design-build services in-house. Our goal is to create a cohesive team that supports your vision and respects your budget and schedule.

Your Vision, Built With Care

A contemporary custom home is more than a style. It is a way to live with clarity and comfort, every day. If glass, clean lines, and light-driven spaces match your vision, Bower Design and Construction is ready to help you plan and build. Explore our portfolio for inspiration, then reach out to start a friendly, no-pressure conversation. Together, we will create a home that reflects your life, your site, and the character of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Bower Design and Construction has been trusted since 1978 because we take pride in the details, communicate clearly, and deliver homes that look great and live even better. When you are ready to turn ideas into a plan, let us guide you through the process with craftsmanship and care. Your contemporary custom home begins with a conversation and a clear path forward.