From Minneapolis to Montana: A SmartPads Home Built for Family
When this adventurous family decided to trade city life in Minneapolis for the breathtaking landscapes of Whitefish, Montana, they envisioned a home that would reflect their love of the outdoors and family connection. Their dream became a reality with a custom SmartPads Skyview design, tailored to fit their new lifestyle and the unique challenges of their downtown infill lot.
A Home Built for and by Family
With four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, this SmartPads home balances togetherness and personal space. The family’s two daughters played a special role in the design, customizing their own bathrooms to showcase their individual personalities. From playful color palettes to stylish fixtures, getting the girls involved was a sweet reminder of the family’s commitment to making their home truly their own.
Creative Design in the Heart of Whitefish
The home is as functional as it is beautiful, designed to optimize every square foot. The Skyview layout was customized to include a rooftop deck connecting the main house to the 1-bedroom, 1-bath ADU. Not only does this space offer stunning views and a private space for family gatherings, it was a really smart way to gain extra living space and a sweet entertaining area.
To meet the challenges of the site’s tight dimensions and the desired rooftop deck, SmartPads and the local construction team got creative. The ADU was site-built instead of modular, a necessary adjustment due to crane access limitations over the rooftop deck. The result? The above-mentioned outdoor living space plus an ADU for an additional income stream, and a home designed to fit the property.
Montana Style and Sustainability
This home marks the first in the SmartPads portfolio to feature Lunawood Thermowood siding, a chemically‑free, eco-conscious choice crafted from Nordic spruce and pine using only heat and steam. The result is a material that’s inherently weather-resistant, highly dimensionally stable (resisting warping, shrinking, and swelling), and rated for durability class 2, making it ideal for Montana’s shifting mountain climate. Its rich, caramel-brown tone complements the rugged landscape beautifully—and as it ages, it develops a natural silver-gray patina that adds character without compromising performance .
Inside, Warmboard radiant heating ensures the family stays cozy during snowy winters, blending energy efficiency with everyday comfort. The system heats quickly and evenly from the floor up, making it ideal for high-altitude living.
A New Chapter in Whitefish
For this wonderful family, this move marks a fresh chapter. From the excitement of designing a custom home to establishing roots in their new mountain town, they are bringing together their love for adventure and family through their SmartPads home. We are grateful we got to play such a pivotal part of this family establishing roots in Whitefish. Check out the photos of their home now that they have moved in and are living their best Montana life!
Why Build with SmartPads in Montana?
Montana’s stunning scenery and challenging climate call for homes that are both beautiful and built to last. SmartPads offers a smarter way to build in the Mountain West, combining the quality and customization of a high-end home with the efficiency of modular construction. Our homes are designed off-site in a controlled environment, which helps avoid weather delays and ensures precision craftsmanship. Once delivered, they’re set quickly—reducing disruption on-site and getting homeowners moved in faster. For families like this one, building with SmartPads meant a streamlined process, personalized design, and a home perfectly suited for Montana living. Learn more about building a SmartPads home in Montana and about local building code requirements in Whitefish.
