Introducing . . .

Your Dream Home

Our A-frames are different.

The A-frame—with its whimsy, drama, and undeniable coziness—is a beloved staple of American architecture. But it’s also too often cramped, dark, outdated, and inefficient. Our designs retain the bold stylistic essence of the traditional A-frame while ushering the silhouette into the modern era in four distinct ways:

  • We’ve expanded the usable floor space and created storage opportunities by pushing the ceiling rafters into the roof and incorporating a number of dormers, giving the A-frame room to breathe.

  • We’ve illuminated the layout by utilizing large dormers, walls of windows, and a loft to flood the space in natural daylight.

  • We’ve rejuvenated the iconic roof, slimming its angle and casting aside lifeless asphalt shingles for custom fabricated sheet metal.

  • We’ve optimized the home’s insulation and energy efficiency by using a traditional roof assembly while adhering to the strictest building & energy codes in the nation.

What is A-Frame Rising?

A-Frame Rising is a father-daughter owned & operated company specializing in selling breathtakingly beautiful modern A-frame house plans. Outside of A-Frame Rising we—Todd & Daly—work together full-time at Todd’s custom residential architecture firm, Todd Gordon Mather Architect, based out of Lake Tahoe’s North Shore. We approach our work at A-Frame Rising through an architectural lens; we see a need for tasteful, luxury design in the world of A-frames, and it’s our mission to make them accessible to all who want a stunning heirloom home.


We want to be clear up front: we are not a “kit home” company. We prefer to handle the architectural end of things, where we shine, and let your contractors do what they do best. Think of our process as an expedited custom home process where you’re saving significant time, money, and headache right off the bat by not having to hire an architect to design from scratch.

Here’s a quick-and-dirty guide to the process when you work with us:

How does it work?

  • Perhaps the most important stage in the process. This is where you’ll start creating a budget, look at land if you don’t already have it, and shop around for house plans.

    It is critical that before you buy plans (from any company) you find and read through your Zoning Ordinances (also known as Land Use Code or Development Code), as well as your CC&R if you’re in an HOA. You’ll need to know your setbacks (or yards), height limit, and whether A-frames are a prohibited house style. Also, check if they have “Design Guidelines” that might strongly conflict with our designs. These items will make or break a project if not investigated and planned for properly, so take time to do it right. And when in doubt, call your Planning Department.

    More broadly, take this time to reflect on what you want out of your home. Will you live there full-time? Do you need space for an expanding family? Is hosting and entertaining important to you? Make a list of your must-haves and like-to-haves, and let it inform your decisions as you move forward.

  • If you don’t already have land, you’ll want to buy it before purchasing house plans. Keep your Zoning Ordinances in mind as you search; visualize how setbacks will impact the buildable area of the lot, and be sure the height limit will allow the A-frame you want to build. Be wary of sloping lots that will increase your overall height. Consider utilities. Will you be on septic or sewer? Propane or natural gas? Plan for each as needed.

    When you finally do purchase land, order an updated land survey as soon as possible. You’ll need this for site planning, LPG & septic design, and permitting.

    Pro tip: when you buy, write down the address, county, and Assessor’s Parcel Number for future reference.

  • The fun part! Chances are you already know which plans you want, and now that you have land and know your planning restrictions, you can finally go for it.

    We make it easy to buy. Visit our Purchase page to add your plans to your cart, checkout and fill out our form about your project, and wait for the email with a unique link to your files. Since PDF files are included, you’ll be able to view them right away and really start getting excited.

    Finally, we’ll email you to schedule a complimentary one-hour consultation with us—Todd & Daly—where we can discuss your ideas & goals, offer personalized guidance, and answer all your questions about the road ahead.

  • Working with us or another architect, you’ll probably want to customize the design and make it a home that truly feels made for you. Whether you just want to pull out the front wall a few feet, or you want to add an entirely new custom wing to the house, we’ve got you covered. We’ll work with you closely to design a home that feels high-end and tailored to you.

  • Using your survey, we (or another architect) will create a site plan that shows your property boundary, setbacks, topography contours, and existing features and vegetation, as well as all the proposed features like the house, a driveway, and utility lines. This is typically done at the same time as design customization.

  • Our drawings don’t come pre-engineered, since the structural requirements will be totally different project to project depending on site conditions, climate, and local codes. Therefore, you’ll need to hire an engineer licensed in your state to complete the structural design. There may be some back-and-forth with your architect as needed to ensure your customized design works the way it’s meant to.

  • This can usually happen after you get a permit, but in our experience it makes everything much easier to get your builder on board before then. Sometimes you’ll need to fill out forms or offer information in order to get a permit that only a builder can handle. Plus, if you’re close enough to construction to be preparing permit applications, you should get yourself on a builder’s schedule anyway.

    Additionally, your builder will be responsible for sourcing & purchasing materials, and can help you make decisions about fixtures, finishes, and appliances.

  • The last step before construction. You, your architect, or someone else on your team will compile the architectural set, structural set, and all the required forms and documents and submit your project for review to your county, city, town, or other local government agency. The review process can take anywhere from a couple weeks to several months, so be prepared to wait. Often they’ll reach out with some items that need to be changed or notated, but once you’ve satisfied their “plan check comments,” you’ll be granted a permit.

    Typically a permit is valid for a year, with the opportunity to apply for an extension. This will come in handy if you’re still getting your ducks in a row.

  • The final (and best) step—construction! Sit back, let your construction team take over, and watch your dream home become a reality. Use this time to do some interior designing (or hire a designer—highly recommended), take a long nap (also recommended), and brag to everyone you know about the gorgeous A-frame you’ll soon be living in.

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