Stansel

Mr. Stansel had his fill when it came to towering properties: In 2009, he and Ms. Marek bought Canterbury Castle, a 1930s landmark in Portland, Ore. with a moat, drawbridge and turret, for about $290,000.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

Mr. Behrooz pushed Mr. Stansel to add in a loft space for a library, which would have been suspended over the living room.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

Touring the house on a recent day, Mr. Behrooz focused on the science behind the design, while Mr. Stansel was occupied by more mundane matters, like the unpacked boxes, cluttered corners and unfinished rooms that also marked the interior.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

Adam Friedberg for The Wall Street Journal Mr. Stansel thought a downstairs shower with two nozzles would be perfect for bathing white German shepherd, Sabrina—if the dog didn't hate water.

East Hampton's 'Arc House' 2011

The couple paid $1.25 million for the property down a long road lined with tall pines, and another $2.2 million for the building, Mr. Stansel said.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

"I don't think I'd want people thinking that was my dream of retirement, to build some monster," said Mr. Stansel, a 65-year-old former mortgage banker who moved into the East Hampton home with his wife this winter.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

At the same time, Mr. Stansel and Ms. Marek were beginning construction on the Long Island house.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

Adam Friedberg for The Wall Street Journal A lacquered wood kitchen 'looks like a piece of furniture,' said Mr. Stansel.

East Hampton's 'Arc House' 2011

As Mr. Behrooz enthused about the technical features of thermal glass walls, Mr. Stansel looked at a smudge on the pane and said, "Dog nose drool."

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011

Mr. Stansel was drawn to the home's low-slung profile.

The Half-There House Ellen Gamerman 2011