Article by Jennifer Miller | photos by Nathan Satran

When a massive hailstorm tore through Billings in the summer of 2019, most homeowners were left dealing with the usual aftermath: insurance claims, endless repairs, and the stress of putting everything back together. For one couple, though, that storm became the unlikely catalyst for transforming their 1940s home into what they now call their “forever home” and, unknowingly, the spark that would launch a new architecture practice. 

A HOUSE FULL OF CHARM 

Homeowner and architect Logan Hendricks and his wife bought their home in 2013, drawn to its classic character: cove ceilings, raked plaster walls, original wood floors, and the kind of quiet, tree-lined neighborhood that sells itself. “For a long time, it was perfect,” said Hendricks, but by 2019, they had started casually browsing for something with more space. 

Then the hailstorm hit. Their insurance adjuster declared the siding and roof a total loss. What felt like devastation at first quickly shifted into opportunity. “Once we realized how much we had to replace anyway, it became clear we had this rare chance,” he explained. “If we were ever going to invest in making this our forever home, this was the moment.” 

DESIGNING WITHIN CONSTRAINTS 

Working within stringent city zoning rules, the couple began envisioning how to reconfigure their home to meet their needs while staying in compliance with city regulations. 

They removed a 17-foot section of the rear wall and pushed the main-floor kitchen and bathroom four feet into the yard. Then they removed the matching section of the roof and built upward, adding a full second-story primary suite: a roomy bedroom, a generous bathroom, and a walk-in closet that finally gave them the storage their 1940s home never offered. 

One night during the design phase, Logan’s wife looked at the early drawings and asked, “Could that roof be a deck?” It was unconventional, especially in a historic neighborhood, but it worked. The rooftop deck became a way to reclaim the yard they had sacrificed, adding an indoor-outdoor element that instantly made the addition feel purposeful. 

With that, the structure took on its playful nickname: The Treefort. A modern tower rising from a traditional home, connected yet distinct. 

OLD SOUL, NEW STORY 

Even with the dramatic changes, the couple was determined to keep the house’s original charm. Many of the historic elements stayed: the bullnose trim less door casings, the cove ceilings, and the plaster texture. They even carried details into the addition to bridge the old with the new. “We didn’t want a hard line between original and modern,” he said. “We wanted the house to feel like itself.” 

In total, they added 493 square feet of living space and transformed the remaining attic into nearly 300 square feet of storage. 

HANDS-ON 

To make the project possible, the Hendricks partnered with a skilled father-and-son carpenter team, Bob & Louis Habeck, who became essential collaborators. “They were problem-solvers,” Logan said. “The kind of people who just figure things out. They made me the general contractor, but they were invaluable.” 

The couple helped with painting, siding stain, waste runs, flooring installation, and more. Fortunately, an earlier basement remodel gave them a livable retreat during construction. 

A REMODEL THAT CHANGED A CAREER 

Somewhere between the drawings and the demolition, Logan realized he wasn’t just remodeling a house; he was discovering a new sense of purpose. “It was clear I needed to start my own firm. I couldn’t go back to working the same way again.” 

Today, his practice focuses on functional regional modernism, and he’s currently working on several projects. A community-funded mixed-use veterinary clinic, the region’s only animal shelter near Big Sky, which also includes workforce housing, and a new build modern residence on the Stillwater River outside Absarokee. 

FROM STORM TO SANCTUARY 

What began as a destructive weather event became the turning point in both this couple’s home and Logan's career. The Treefort now stands as a testament to creativity under pressure, thoughtful design within constraints, and the power of seeing possibility in something that first appears to be a loss. 

Their 1940s house is still recognizable. But now it tells a bigger story of resilience, reinvention, and a family who built not just an addition, but a new chapter. 

Originally printed in the January 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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