Low-angle view of a white brick building with large blue windows under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Green Couch Design x Magnolia Network

Good design starts with good conversation. Pull up a seat.

On the Couch, a monthly newsletter from Megan Lopp and the team at Green Couch Design, is part design journal, part behind-the-scenes look at life in our studio, and a little bit of everything in between. We're sharing the projects we're passionate about, the people and places inspiring us, and the everyday moments that remind us why thoughtful design matters.

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A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Feature on Home Reimagined

Transforming a 133-year-old brewery into a family home is not a typical renovation. It is an exercise in restraint, problem-solving, and respect for history. For us, this project in Kalispell, Montana was an opportunity to apply our approach to adaptive reuse and historic preservation at its highest level.

Realized in close partnership with an entrepreneurial owner-builder team—with construction led by licensed builder Tanner Roach and interior design by Montana-based designer Jana Roach—the project reflects what we believe architecture should do: honor the past, function beautifully in the present, and remain relevant for decades to come.

Featured on Magnolia Network’s Home Reimagined, this Montana brewery renovation demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can guide complex transformations without erasing a building’s story.

Photography: pixsbycam

Restoring the Raw: The Strategy
Behind the Block Fifty Conversion

A three-story brick building with arched windows and window shutters, with a green lawn and gravel pathway in front. There are outdoor chairs and a camera mounted on the wall.

Originally constructed in the late 1800s, the brewery stood as a landmark of Kalispell’s industrial past. When we first experienced the space, the building was expansive, raw, and unapologetically utilitarian. Our role was to shape the architectural framework—supporting the owners as they carried the vision forward—without erasing what made it meaningful.

White building with tall narrow windows, outdoor patio with chairs and fire pit, and a garden with small trees and plants.

Working alongside homeowners Jana and Tanner Roach, who served as owner-builders, and the Home Reimagined team, we helped navigate the building’s transition from a fully industrial structure to a carefully layered live–work environment—balancing preservation, regulatory requirements, and architectural clarity.

This was not about spectacle. It was about clarity, intention, and longevity.

Read the full case study

Our Favorite Design Details
from this Historic Renovation

A kitchen with a view into a sunlit adjoining room featuring a table and chairs, cabinetry with marble countertops, a large stove, a vase with dried branches, and recessed and wall lighting.
Interior of a modern home showing a dining table with black chairs, a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, a staircase with black railing, and a glimpse into the kitchen area in the background.

The Kitchen

A spacious living room with high ceilings, large windows with curtains, a white sofa, brown armchairs, a fireplace with decorative items, a chandelier, and wall sconces, with hardwood floors and a potted plant.
View of a vintage-style bathroom with dark green tile walls, wooden cabinetry, a chandelier, and a small mirror on the wall.

The Staircase

The Primary Bathroom

The Living Room

see our historic preservation guide
Interior of a living and dining area with white brick walls, wooden flooring, a dining table with black chairs, a white sofa, and decorative elements like vases and artwork. A staircase with black railings leads to a higher level.

Adaptive reuse architecture requires working with what already exists. For Block Fifty, that meant navigating mixed-use building codes, life-safety requirements, and commercial constraints while designing a comfortable residence above. By preserving original industrial elements, adding a secondary egress stair, and scaling new additions to complement the historic structure, the home feels intentional and grounded in place. Read our full blog post for a deeper look at the technical strategy behind this project.

Designing With the Building, Not Against It

read blog post

what made this possible

Every decision was shaped by people,
not just plans, in this adaptive reuse project.

Two men being filmed by a cameraman in an industrial-style room with a white brick wall, black staircase, and minimalist decor.
Group of nine people smiling and posing together indoors at a social gathering, standing in front of a white brick wall with large windows and a chandelier.
Group of people taking a selfie in front of a white building with tall windows, some people are smiling and making playful gestures.
People gathered around a table in a room with a white brick wall and a window. Some are talking, and there are electronic equipment and drinks on the table.

Leading the Work From
Concept to Completion

Green Couch Design is led by co-founders Megan and Cale Lopp, combining creative direction with deep commercial and architectural expertise. Megan guides vision, client experience, and design intent, while Cale leads technical execution, coordination, and delivery. Together with a collaborative team of designers and partners, they approach each project with clarity, care, and a commitment to architecture that works and endures.

A smiling man and woman standing outdoors in front of a large white building.
contact meg + cale

Ready for your own
home reimagined?

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