By: JESSICA RICHMOND
Before the renovation, the house felt small – not just in size, but in spirit. Its rooms were fractured, its light muted, its promise hidden. When the family began to imagine a home that could rise to meet them, Pippin Home Designs recognized the possibility to create something far more meaningful.
This year, that possibility became reality – and earned the home the distinction of Best in Show at Lake Norman Home Builder Association’s Best of the Lake awards.
Walking inside the transformed home, you feel it instantly. Light floods the rooms. The lake seems to follow you from space to space. Walls that once divided now invite openness and connection.
The true magic of ModHaus Makeover lies in the deeply intentional choices behind the architecture. The family’s children, each with their own passions, now have places where those passions can flourish: a music nook, an arts-and-crafts zone, an indoor soccer arena, and abundant space for imagination and play. What was once a dark basement is now a celebration of their growth.
Upstairs, the parents finally have what they longed for – a place to recharge. A peaceful primary suite with quiet corners for reflection. Soothing views of the lake that encourage calm. It’s a home designed to honor who they are as individuals and who they are together.
Founder Jennifer B. Pippin, FAIBD, CPBD, has spent more than four decades designing homes that adapt to the people who live in them – not the other way around. Her belief that a home can enhance well-being is the foundation of every project her firm brings to life.
That philosophy extends far beyond ModHaus Makeover. Several of the firm’s other 2025 Best of the Lake award winners also reflect Jennifer’s commitment to creating environments that support and elevate daily living.
Polynesian Retreat, winner in the Best Full Home Remodel $1M+ category, turned a small vacation cottage into a nurturing, modern sanctuary for a family of five, honoring its Polynesian roots while creating a supportive environment for a child with special needs.
Casa del Sol, honored in the Waterfront Home $4M+ category, is a light-filled residence designed for radical self-expression and aging in place.
Summer House, winner in the Waterfront Home $1.5–$2M category, embodies the interconnectedness of multigenerational living.
Vue du Jardin, recognized in the Custom New Home $2M+ category, centers on a garden sanctuary that dissolves the boundary between indoors and out.
Each home tells its own story. Together, they reveal a larger truth: families today are seeking spaces that nourish the heart, inspire the mind, enhance connectivity to nature, and support well-being in every season of life.
At this year’s Best of the Lake awards, that story was heard loud and clear. ModHaus Makeover didn’t win simply because it is beautiful. It won because it proved that a home can be a partner in helping a family thrive.
