Manifesting Dreams

Charles Stinson does not conform to “architect “ as stereotype. As he envisions a new home, he thoughtfully places each vertical, horizontal, or curved form “to define uplifting and inspiring living spaces always connected to the site—each sunrise, each sunset, and all of the views.” His clients become life-long friends for whom he and his team work diligently and with great faith to manifest their dreams. For Stinson, the design and construction of a home is a relationship-fueled collaborative process based on synergy between architect, builder, and client, which only succeeds when “everyone wins.” His No. 1 job, he adds, is “maintaining a positive attitude. After that, everything else just works.”

Stinson will tell you all this with an infectious enthusiasm while sketching with his ubiquitous colored pencils. Add in the ever-present positive attitude and a playful sense of humor, and you have some of the many reasons that his clients, from Germany to Dubai, Minnesota to Texas, and Florida to Colorado, are drawn to him and his work.

“When we met Charles, we knew instantly why his houses are the way they are. They represent his own personal character in many ways—his positive approach, an open mind, and his devotion to detail and style,” says Lars Olbrich. Stinson is designing a new home for Lars, his wife Paulette, and their toddler, in the Black Forest region of Germany. The house will integrate cutting-edge European sustainable technology with Stinson’s distinguished design vocabulary.

“We travel to the U.S. twice a year, and the first thing we do is read up on the latest projects that Trends Magazine presents,” Olbrich continues, referring to one of the international publications in which Stinson’s work is frequently published. His architecture is also featured in several editions of 100 of the World’s Best Houses, and in his own book just recently published, Compositions in Nature. “Charles’ houses caught our eye,” Olbrich says. “They had uniqueness, and represented a harmony in shapes and forms. His style makes homes appear to float. The light caught by the windows makes the rooms alive and welcoming. The houses were spacious and open, exactly what we imagined for our dream home.”

The Olbrichs met with Stinson and toured many of the Minneapolis-area homes he’d completed with Streeter & Associates. As Steven Streeter explains, “Charles’ designs are appealing to build because of his distinctive design, unique use of materials, and an outstanding ability to create. Home site and location are perfectly planned to make best use of natural light.” In talking with numerous homeowners, the Olbrichs also sensed what Streeter describes as “a unique opportunity to be a part of a team that really is passionate about the final product and the relationship with the client.”

Not only is a good builder an important part of the process, Stinson notes, but a support staff of creative, talented, and passionate individuals from architects to interior designers round out the Charles R. Stinson office and help make it all possible. “I couldn’t do this work without them,” he says.

Stinson further captivated the Olbrichs when he sketched with his colored pencils “what was already what we had in mind. He was able to read us and quickly showed us on paper what our dream house looked like,” Olbrich says. “For us, Charles was the right choice.”

Bob and Judy, for whom Stinson is designing a home in Colorado, agree. “We were immediately drawn to the clean lines and pure beauty of how his buildings relate to the site,” Bob recalls. “We were also enamored with his use of natural materials and the way they’re seamlessly integrated to flow from inside to out. Frank Lloyd Wright often described his own work as ‘organic.’ We think that term also applies wonderfully to Charles’ designs. They are modern and yet warm.”

They described being “mesmerized” as they toured Stinson’s houses. “One feels at peace just being inside them,” Bob says. “And each of the homeowners lit up as soon as they saw Charles. They quickly began reliving stories about the design and construction, and how Charles helped shepherd them through the whole process. At that point, we knew he was going to be our architect.”

Stinson’s design philosophy is inseparable from his accessibility and warmth, his playful perseverance, his perennial optimism, and his delight in every project. And while his practice continues to expand to all reaches of the globe, he remains committed to his local community where he continues to live and work in the same buildings he designed almost 20 years ago. Local projects, such as the Lotus Lake neighborhood, an entire development of Stinson homes in Chanhassen, Minnesota, continue to draw his attention and inspire new ideas like the use of “green” materials. As his signature style evolves to integrate these green technologies and the architectural visions of national and international clients, Stinson says he’s ready to allow new possibilities to reveal themselves.

“Architecture is about the invisible, like faith,” he says. “It’s about manifesting people’s dreams.” With sketchbook and colored pencils in hand, he’s traveling the world, making dreams come true.