Architect, Architectural Style, Franklin MI, Glass House, Michigan, Modern Architecture, Push Notification, Unique Homes, Video
Architect’s ‘Upside-Down Wedding Cake’ Home That Was Constructed on ‘Unbuildable’ Land Hits the Market for Very First Time
Aug
A strikingly modern Michigan property that was designed by late award-winning architect Ken Neumann, FAIA, as his personal residence has been listed for $3.25 million—marking its first time on the market since its 1987 construction.
The five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom masterpiece is located in Franklin, MI, where its sleek design clearly sets it apart from the carefully preserved 19th-century homes that have inspired the Detroit suburb’s nickname, “The Town That Time Forgot.”
For nearly four decades, the glass-walled home has intrigued and delighted locals who have only been able to admire the dwelling from a distance—until now, with its listing providing members of the public with their first real opportunity to see inside the spectacular structure.
Although Neumann primarily worked on commercial projects, his work skewed residential, as well. Inspired by Bauhaus design principles, his 7,348-square-foot Franklin residence is an excellent marriage of both ends of the architectural spectrum he worked on, touting clean lines and modern materials.
Over the years, the home has been featured in countless publications, gracing the pages of Elle Decor and books including “Architects House Themselves” and “Dream Homes Michigan.”
Ken and his wife, Beverly Neumann—a prolific artist who now resides in a senior community but still paints daily and created most of the pieces displayed in the home—purchased the lot from another architect who claimed it was “unbuildable.”
Because of its sloping landscape and dense trees, many believed that the parcel could not house a residential property, only for Neumann to prove them very wrong.
However, Linda Hiller Novak and Frank Novak—the mother-son real estate team who have listed the home—tell Realtor.com® that, because of those difficult circumstances, it was quite some time before the architectural masterpiece came to life.
“They sort of marinated on it, trying to decide what to do and what to build,” Linda explains. “It was 15 years before they built this house.”
The home was certainly worth the wait, with that 15 years spent ideating a home that could naturally fit within the existing landscape. Linda says the home was “built like an upside-down wedding cake,” noting it’s unusual shape spared any trees from removal during the process.
While some may be tempted to turn a challenging lot into a blank slate before building, Ken and Beverly let the surrounding area inspire the home.
“They chose these horizontal lines of the house because they wanted it to contrast with the vertical lines of the trees,” says Linda. “That’s the kind of thing that only an architect and an artist would think about.”
25850 Romany Way has undergone a handful of updates over the years, primarily to accommodate the family’s needs as they grew over time. Aesthetic changes made the list, too. The home was originally white; Ken opted for a natural red-brick color in later years.
Though not immediately obvious from the exterior’s brick facade in the front of the home, expansive windows steal the show across the entire back of the structure, providing peaceful panoramic views of the artesian pond located on the 1.24-acre lot and flooding the interior with beautiful natural light.
Standing in the driveway of the dwelling, you could be forgiven for thinking that the property was a single-story abode—but walk through the door to the back of the home and it tells a very different story.
Having been designed to follow the slope of the land on which it was built, the structure appears to cascade down the hillside, with the enormous wall of windows stretching well below the first floor of the property.
In certain lights, it creates the illusion of a waterfall steadily tumbling down the hill. Yet, thanks to the dense trees surrounding it, the home still feels incredibly private.
Inside, the space is well-suited for entertaining, but also allows for privacy and relaxation.
The remodeled gourmet galley kitchen includes new Viking and Miele appliances. A useful pass-through window connects to a spacious living area and is surrounded by a statement-making wall of built-in shelving, which the Neumann family lovingly filled with their enormous collection of books, art, and black-and-white photographs.
There are seemingly endless built-in bookshelves throughout the house, constructed of rare Bird’s Eye maple. An assortment of over 10,000 books was removed from the home and sold to Detroit’s John K. King Books.
The home is an excellent residence for creatives, like Ken and Beverly. In addition to the various displays that are integrated throughout and the inspiring outdoor views, there’s an artist’s studio, which Beverly worked out of each day.
Marked by bold black-and-white-checkered floors, the studio is connected to the luxurious primary suite, and includes a private staircase.
The suite features heated floors, a recently updated bathroom, and a spacious walk-in closet that Linda jokes could qualify as a bedroom in some Southeast Michigan spots.
The four additional bedrooms in the home also include ample windows, giving each member of the family their very own view of the tranquil retreat. There’s not a single window treatment in the home.
Amenities are plenty, with an elevator that provides access to all three levels. A weather-resistant EPDM roof was installed in 2025, and a full-home generator provides peace of mind. There’s also an intercom system, closed-circuit cameras, and exterior video surveillance.
There’s even a heated patio and driveway—invaluable perks during a harsh Michigan winter.
“This is more than a home—it is a work of art, a legacy of design, and a living environment unlike any other in Franklin,” the listing notes.
