Big Canyon Homes is able to deliver dreams to its clients, in the form of energy efficient, luxury homes
Multifamily projects are needed to address expanding metropolitan communities
A look ahead at the interior décor styles set to impact home design in 2023
Market drivers Covid-19 changed consumer demands – how can realestate developers keep up?
Miele’s new Generation 7000 appliances feature refined design and pioneering technology. These intuitive appliances integrate purposeful innovation for a completely new kitchen experience.
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Hello and welcome to the December issue of Modern Home Builders. In our last issue of 2022 we’re taking a look at some trends, including housing, where the need for multifamily projects in urban communities continues to rise. We also feature some predictions for what next year’s interiors will look like, as well as some suggestions for kitchen renovations. Finally, we discuss how the pandemic has changed the real estate landscape, and why developers should access market research and data to ensure they are delivering what is needed.
Added to these features are some fascinating interviews with top homebuilders, who have shared their visions and strategies for the future. I hope you find something valuable in our pages and look forward to welcoming you back in 2023.
LH@finelightmediagroup.com
not just beautiful, but also luxurious, and energy efficient. Turn to page 26 for the full article.
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multifamily investors may earn reasonable profits while posting the supply of market-rate homes in the coming years, lowering renter costs in the bloated rental market
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Today, 56 percent of the world’s population (4.4 billion inhabitants) live in cities. This trend is expected to continue, with the urban population more than doubling its current size by 2050. The speed and scale of urbanization bring challenges, such as meeting accelerated demand for multifamily housing.
The multifamily industry is one of the oldest forms of real estate investment and the most popular. The market
is wide and varied, with more than 43.9 million residents living in multifamily housing.
Nashville, Tenn.’s multifamily market is a prime example of an urban city with a growing population that must adapt to this demand. According to the moving and storage company PODS Enterprises’ second annual relocation trends report, Nashville ranked third among the most popular moving destinations over the last year. With this population influx, the city must adapt to house all these
people. The Nashville multifamily market has experienced a fast-paced recovery due to the metro’s diverse economy and bid-name corporate relocations and expansions. This has drawn the attention of both renters looking to leave overpriced metros and investors interested in exploring the expanding city’s potential.
Adaption is necessary for solution
Construction companies must take charge of housing demands with multifamily housing projects to support this explosive growth in metropolitan communities. For example, Hardaway Construction has taken control of housing demands with multifamily housing projects to support this explosive growth.
The recently completed Accent Edgewood Apartments project in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood holds 236 units and has added to the development of this up-and-coming neighborhood. We have built over 20 other
multifamily housing developments to help accommodate the explosive number of people moving to Nashville over the past couple of years. Our staffing has also increased by 25 percent this year due to the increase of projects needed by the popularity of the Nashville market.
The city of Nashville is ever-changing. The city is booming, with construction on every corner. With the high demand for real estate, many overlooked areas are transitioning to trendy, up-andcoming neighborhoods that benefit the economy while bringing in a variety of development and new amenities.
There has been rapid growth in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood because of its urban appeal with its galleries, breweries and distilleries. The area has experienced a redevelopment restoration over the last few years as many residents, families and businesses
have flocked there. There is a strong appeal due to its location only two miles south of downtown and boasting lower rent and housing prices relative to other Nashville neighborhoods and areas.
People moving to urban cities like Nashville are looking for quality of life, affordability, comfort, updated and clean-living space and access to amenities in a multifamily community. The multifamily housing market is expanding, with more than two million units built around the country in the last decade. The tremendous increase in the popularity of renting is fueling construction growth.
A shortage of available homes has contributed to the low vacancy rates. As a result, rents are rising to new heights and many families remain in their rental apartments. This has prompted investors to make large bets on rental properties, pushing up demand for multifamily properties, which promise faster scaling and are easier to finance in some situations.
A persistent high rental demand versus supply is a driving element behind the increase in multifamily projects. The housing scarcity has accelerated the construction of new housing. Forward-thinking multifamily investors may earn reasonable profits while posting the supply of market-rate
homes in the coming years, lowering renter costs in the bloated rental market. Construction companies must take charge of housing demands with multifamily housing projects to support this explosive growth in metropolitan communities. ■
David Frazier is the CEO and owner of Hardaway Construction. For nearly 100 years, Hardaway Construction has remained Nashville’s respected construction veteran. The company provides pre-construction, general contracting, designbuild, construction management, and building information modeling services. Built on a legacy of quality, honesty, and integrity, Hardaway Construction provides premier construction services to clients across all major industries.
David Frazier www.hardaway.net
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to look ahead to the upcoming trends set to dominate the interior design world in 2023. As more people incorporate remote work into their daily routine, we are demanding more from our home space. The predicted new trends are vast and varied, so there is something here for everyone - whether you are looking for an injection of fun and excitement or a calming space for relaxation. What is clear is that individuality is in and conformity is out in 2023!
For those who have embraced the nature-inspired interiors that have enraptured the design community over the last few years, fear not, biophilic designs are here to stay. Adding a contemporary twist to the beloved trend, Future Eden is premised on adding an earthy depth to the modern industrial aesthetic, integrating nature into the urban
city. Through a combination of green and grey-blue tones with wooden furnishings and darker metals, this naturalistic vibe creates a calming atmosphere perfect to recharge in after a stressful day. Inspired heavily by the current climate crisis, sustainability is prioritized within the design choices, favoring locally made and produced furnishings which are both practical and easy to repair, whilst remaining stylish, showcasing that an eco-conscious interior can still be sophisticated.
With increasingly more time spent working from home, it is imperative that your immediate environment inspires relaxation and minimizes stress. Building a Zen-zone is easy with the correct use of color and texture. Soft pastels help to create a soothing tonal palette, adding warmth without being overwhelming. Such colorways naturally lend themselves to elegant compositions, fostering a sense of effortless style
...create an environment that makes you feel excited and inspired
whilst still feeling homely, mixing light pinks with clean neutrals and glimmers of gold. Creating cozy nooks to escape into, seating areas are made extra comforting through the addition of plush rugs, while minimal decoration promotes thoughtfulness and introspection through minimizing ‘busyness’ within the home. The Age of Sensitivity is perfect for those wanting a space perfect for working, relaxing, and entertaining.
Next year is set to see a re-emergence of a retro 1960s aesthetic, transporting you away on vacation without leaving the comfort of your own home. Making an appearance in time for the Spring and Summer seasons, this new
trend perfectly captures the vibrant atmosphere of this period, breathing a fresh lease of life into your home. Put away your neutral decorations and replace them with an eclectic mix of fun vases and floral arrangements complemented with fabrics featuring spectacular blooms and fruit inspired prints to truly bring the outside in. For color choices, think Palm Springs: mix vibrant combinations of Peach Pink, Fiesta and Daylily to create a palette that oozes summertime, softening these brighter shades with mellower yellows and eggshell blues to cool off the hotter hues. For homes that do not have access to their own private outside areas, introduce lighter woods into dining areas and decorate with touches of greenery to mimic an alfresco vibe associated with long summer evenings spent dining with friends and family.
Prepare to delve into a moodier, striking aesthetic in this bold new trend. Altered States steers away from the uber-modern minimalism that
The most important take-away is to have fun experimenting with your style
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has been popular over the last for last decade in favor of an eccentric and unconventional use of color and texture. For those not afraid to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the weird and wacky, 2023 is the time to experiment with an array color, contrasting rich purples with brighter warm orange tones to create an exciting eye-scape.
Mixing materials in your furnishings is a great way to build a stimulating multi-sensory environment, velvets blending in with sleek concrete and marble counters to add an air of nuanced sophistication. Build character in your home through adding a series of stand-out pieces of art – for the brave optical illusion prints are perfect at achieving this. Curating an ideal setting for entertaining, this daring theme provides a talking point for visitors, adding a splash of fun and creativity back into home interior design.
Andrew Henry from Andrew Henry Interiors concludes: “The most important take-away is to have fun experimenting with your
style. What is becoming clear is that the muted minimalism popular over the last few years is on its way out, whilst vibrant colors and bold, interesting furnishing choices are on their way in. While this may feel scary initially, it is key here to reiterate that these trending themes are not mutually exclusive – feel free to take bits and pieces from each to create an environment that makes you feel excited and inspired.” ■
Andrew Henry www.andrewhenry.co.ukFormed in 2007, Andrew Henry Interiors predominately work in the new homes industry and provide show home interior design for house builders ranging from niche bespoke developers to large PLCs across the UK. Creating show homes that inspire the potential purchaser is vital. Delivering stylish bespoke environments tailored to every brief, from contemporary urban apartments and aspirational family homes to classic country retreats, each project draws on our wealth of experience and combines quality with excellent service.
Renovating your kitchen can be one of the most expensive undertakings you’ll face when updating your home. Kitchens themselves aren’t cheap and add to the mix appliances, labor and flooring and your budget will need to be sizeable at best. However, there are ways you can renovate your kitchen for much less without compromising on the finish or the final look. I’m Looeeze Grossman, founder of The Used Kitchen Company and here are my top six ways to renovate your kitchen for less.
One of the easiest ways to save on your kitchen renovation is to make some cash towards it by selling your existing kitchen. The average kitchen only lives out half of its life expectancy, so this is a great way to not only make some money to put towards your renovation but to also prevent one to two tons of kitchen waste from ending up in landfill. I guess the question should be, can you afford not to sell your existing kitchen?
If your kitchen units are damaged or just too old, then look at how you can upcycle the parts that aren’t such as handles or internals.
Labor is one of the biggest costs of renovating your kitchen. Be that from installing a new kitchen to having appliances gas-certified or new electrics wired in. One of the ways you can save is by doing as much of the work as you can yourself. Paint the walls and ceilings, re-finish and re-paint or spray your handles, lay flooring and remove everything you possibly can. All of the added extras will add up quickly so by doing what you can yourself, you’ll instantly save your budget.
Having a new kitchen doesn’t mean it has to be new from the showroom, it can mean new to you. Be that by adopting a second-hand kitchen or by buying an ex-display, you will be making huge savings. Any stigma attached to a second-hand kitchen has been eroded significantly, thanks to a greater appreciation of the planet and the realization that used certainly doesn’t mean old. By looking at this option, you can pick up a designer kitchen for the same price or even less than a budget
DIY model. You’ll also be likely to get all those little extras like internal pull-out larders, pantry baskets and built-in bins and recycling drawers. Not to mention stone worktops and high-end top-of-the-range appliances.
Lighting is one of the core ways to create drama and interest in your kitchen. You can have different zones of light, mood lighting, LED spots and beautiful pendants. But why pay expensive high street prices when there’s a world of interesting pendants and shades for sale on marketplaces and online sales sites or yard sales? So many people sell their kitchen lights online, and who said the standard three pendants over the island need to all be the same shade? Here’s where you can get adventurous and personalize your space by putting your stamp on it. From using a vintage shade but knocking the glass out so you just have the metal, to spraying a utility metal shade bright pink or bottle green. Lighting should be fun and personal, not stark and conventional.
Cabinetry is expensive; even adding a single unit to your design can cost hundreds. So why not look at open shelving instead? From using reclaimed wood to create an earthy beachy vibe to sleek modern glass or vintage mirror, open shelving can create interest in the kitchen while keeping costs far lower than floor-to-ceiling cabinets. It also adds interest and depth to the space and is perfect for displaying decorating glasses, plants, herbs or prized vases and pots.
If you’re lucky enough that your kitchen is still in good shape but is lacking in curb appeal or a less-than-modern color, why not paint it? There’s a host of different paints on the market now that make updating your cabinets super easy. If you can save your cabinets by painting them, why not free up some of your budget to replace your worktop with stunning new quartz or granite? Or, swap for wood mixed with open wooden shelving for a more natural and homely finish that can be updated with a quick sand and re-finish for years to come.
The key to renovating your kitchen for less is to look at what you HAVE to do and what you WANT to do. This will allow you to put your budget where you need it and find inventive ways to make it stretch to encompass your wants, enabling you to have your dream kitchen for much, much less than you thought. ■
Looeeze Grossman founded The Used Kitchen Company (TUKC) in 2005, at a time when used and ex-display kitchens were simply ending up in landfill. TUKC now sells for over 1000 showrooms nationwide and as a result, has saved close to 20,000 tonnes of waste from landfill. Looeeze is always focused on influencing opinion, forging new partnerships and driving new initiatives that can enable the business to achieve the next milestone in recycling. Having now sold thousands of kitchens, TUKC prides itself on having the most experience in the business and has an excellent reputation for efficiency and customer service within the kitchen industry.
By Belinda Sward
Prior to March 2020, developers throughout the country were busy responding to trends that catered to the ways in which people lived, worked and played –large, open floorplans, communal gathering spaces and retail-driven residential were among the hot amenities in single- and multi-family developments. Once the realities of Covid-19 were realized across the industry, these trends were replaced with an emphasis on health, mental and physical wellness and living differently to accomplish a balance between personal and work life.
As a result of these consumer attitude shifts, the pandemic has fundamentally changed what people want from their for-sale and for-rent homes, apartments and communities, and developers should expect these changes to last. Included in this shift is the emergence of the home as an
extension of residents’ lives, which means it must be developed to enhance working, living and learning. These impacts include different types of workspaces, blurring of leisure and work life, combination of indoor and outdoor living, incorporation of green and sustainable attributes, importance of organic gardening and healthy foods, and designated places for relaxation.
While real estate development often consists of responding to economic and societal trends, wellcrafted research can provide data allowing developers to look further down the pike and predict what buyers and renters will want and need. Recent research by Strategic Solutions Alliance on behalf of The Beach Company, a Charleston, South Carolina-based real estate developer with projects across the southeast US, illustrates some specific home features that resulted from these post-pandemic consumer trends.
Since Covid, the home has become a hub for various activities. Consumers’ spending habits have drastically changed in response to both the pandemic and inflation. While consumers were already buying in bulk, the pandemic gave way to consumers storing up for a broader array of products as well as better organization of things stored. Therefore, renters and homeowners are keeping items longer and are looking for more well-designed storage. Useful storage space saves time and money and has become especially necessary in kitchens, bedrooms and closets. Some are even eliminating extra closet space by adding built-ins, including workspaces. This also applies to garages and storage facilities. In The Jasper, a luxury mixed-use community in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, The Beach Company has incorporated these types of extra spaces in the form of larger walk-in closets and flex rooms.
In the past, dedicated workspaces in homes were associated with defined offices. However, creativity sparked by the pandemic has changed this. A workspace need no longer be as large as an entire room, but the space does need to be separated from the rest of the house and be suitable for both work and play. For example, workspaces may include kids’ craft tables or a television. The stilllarge percentage of people working from home, either full- or part-time, request features such as sound proofing for virtual meetings to mitigate noise from gardeners, children or pets. According to Strategic Solutions Alliance’s study, 80 percent of residents at Kiawah River, a Beach Company community near Charleston, South Carolina, wanted a
Now more than ever, residents are seeking private outdoor spaces with natural flow from indoor spaces that serve as an extension of the home
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defined workplace. These multipurpose office spaces can be a separate room, a room with a hidden, pocket or barn door to open and close, or something built into an indoor/outdoor space, such as a sunroom off the kitchen.
Now more than ever, residents are seeking private outdoor spaces with natural flow from indoor spaces that serve as an extension of the home. This could be a porch located just off the kitchen or a sunroom with space to eat or access to outdoor areas such as a neighborhood park or green space. This is especially important in rental properties or homes that are close together and lack the green space for a spacious yard. This type of urban relief became essential while people were confined
to their homes during the pandemic. In addition, the preferences for how these spaces are used have changed. For example, Kiawah River residents are looking for garden areas in which they can plant flowers, vegetables or herbs, meaning that developers must rethink implications for density and streetscapes.
Regardless of a home’s size, homeowners want kitchens optimally designed for cooking, storage and gathering. The pandemic prompted increased inhome dining and entertainment; a trend that is only expected to grow more prevalent. Functional, upgraded and personalized kitchens are now essential, and this is even more crucial in homes with smaller floorplans as a way of maximizing space. Features such as smart ovens, bartending built-
ins (such as an undercounter fridge), island storage, pocket workspaces, hightech and natural finishes have become vital in homes. In The Jasper, residential kitchens feature these types of built-in upgrades, including custom, soft-close cabinetry, quartz countertops and tile backsplashes, a suite of stainless-steel appliances and center islands with barstool seating and pendant lighting.
Smart home technology such as 5G connectivity, energy efficiency, savvy kitchen products and smart thermostats continue to be top of mind for renters and buyers. Specifically for energy efficiency, owners living in one home or multiple homes want to be able to control the air and lights and determine air quality through applications and e-windows. In terms of kitchen technology, determining water quality and having appliances
such as touchless faucets and smart refrigerators have become the norm. In its most recent developments such as The Jasper in Charleston, South Carolina, The Foundry in Huntsville, Alabama and The Sterling in Wilmington, North Carolina, The Beach Company has incorporated this type of smart technology, including ButterflyMX, HelloPackage for package delivery and management, Crestron electronics control systems, Ring doorbells and electric vehicle charging stations in its latest and upcoming projects.
As buyer and renter standards continue to evolve, developers must adjust and provide designs that align with current and future trends. Covid-19 upended the real estate industry and caused a seismic shift in supply and demand. However, by utilizing quality market research and data, developers can
gain a realistic snapshot of how these overarching themes can be applied to a variety of residential projects, from singlefamily master-planned communities to higher-density mixed-use projects, to stay ahead of the curve. ■
Founded in 1945, The Beach Company has been a leader in residential and commercial real estate brokerage, development and property management for more than 75 years. Led by CEO John Darby, The Beach Company upholds a tradition of establishing landmark properties and communities by evaluating each development opportunity for its potential to improve the quality of life for our neighbors and contribute to the long-term economic vitality of the southeast region.
The Beach Company www.thebeachcompany.com
Belinda Sward works at Strategic Solutions Alliance.
Find out why turning dreams into reality is a core mission at Big Canyon Homes
Building a home begins with a dream: the endless possibilities that separate our tangible, lived reality from the realm of ideas. Bridging that gap and turning dreams into lived experience is Big Canyon Homes (BCH), a Utah- and Wyomingbased luxury custom home builder.
Operating since 1990, BCH has established itself as one of the most preeminent builders in the area; contemporary styles abound, with barrel roofs that mimic the rolling landscapes of the state region. Modern, eco-friendly, and technologically advanced, BCH’s designs often feature state-of-the-art solar systems to limit both household utility bills and the individual carbon footprint of each home.
In Northern Utah, Salt Lake City, and Park City alone, BCH has constructed over ten Parade Homes. It has received numerous awards and accolades, including ‘Best of
Show’ and ‘Best Architecture’ at the 2020 Salt Lake, Park City and Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes, as well as being registered as a LEED Platinum Builder and recognized as Energy Efficient Home Builder of the Year at the 2019 Global Awards Guide.
Pick of the lot Indeed, the renowned builder is proud to be an industry leader in energy efficient luxury homes and Net Zero construction, meaning that homes built by BCH could produce as much energy as they use. “We are truly blessed in the sense that we can pretty much handpick our clients,” says Paul Berman, President at BCH. “Therefore, we get to work on some of the most significant – and coolest – homes out there, which means an awful lot to us. We are incredibly passionate about what we do, and that is the way it has always been. Whether you
sat down with us five years ago or 20, our work would be just as pioneering and our clientele just as eager to work with us.”
As we begin to reflect over the history of the company, Paul zeroes in on the last two years and reveals how BCH grappled with the impacts of the pandemic. However, he flips the script on what we have often come to expect.
“If I am being completely honest, Covid-19 did not hit our company like it did with others,” explains Paul. “In fact, we were actually inundated with requests for our services. We thought that, at least initially, the pandemic would have a huge, negative impact; whereas, what happened was that we were shut down for a couple of weeks and then, just like that, we were back up and running at full speed.
“We were gaining momentum every week, and since then we have remained very busy,” he continues. “Many of our clients
live in big cities, and the pandemic forced people to realize one salient fact about their living circumstances: their homes could become their offices. People soon understood it was possible to move away from big cities and live up in the mountains, skiing and playing golf and hiking, doing all the fun stuff they would otherwise want to do on holiday, while still working at the same company. In the end, the pandemic proved very beneficial to our workload.”
Though Paul is reluctant to pinpoint one specific project, since the company has carried out innumerable examples of best-in-class modern home building, he does highlight the fact that BCH was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal for one of its award-winning homes.
“Truth be told, they are all special in their own way,” he admits. “I really cannot say there is one that stands out, and I think that is a testament to our consistent, highend process. A lot of times, we operate as
a design-build service, even though we are not a licensed architectural firm. But we do have a team of architects working under our umbrella. That way, we can offer clients a complete, turnkey service.
Just the way we are “Typically, however, we are involved from the first conceptional drawings all the way through to the completed, constructed documents, and then obviously through the course of construction,” elaborates Paul. “Then, on top of that, we offer a two-year warranty on all our houses. In fact, with most of our homes, if a former client has an issue, say, five-to-ten years down the line, then we as a company we will still take care of it. That is just the way we are, and we remain proud of that.”
The next 12 months are going to be fullon. “We do not have any openings in the year ahead,” states Paul. “Within the next two
years, things are still going to be tight. We are very hands-on, and we are booked up. That could change; we live in very uncertain times. However, our clients are confident in us and we remain confident in our ability to overcome any coming adversity.”
Looking further ahead, BCH intends to – as it has always done – put consistency first. The Utah- and Wyoming-based company wants to be doing the same thing it does now in five years’ time… but better. That means building more efficient homes with the latest, cutting-edge materials and with best-in-class, ultramodern techniques. Doing all this enables BCH to answer a simple question: Canyon do it? Well, yes, it can. ■
www.bigcanyonhomesinc.com
How Escobedo Group’s DARIO Panelized System is changing traditional construction
It has been a year since we were introduced to the Escobedo Group and its renowned DARIO Panelized System. Panelized construction is an innovative building system, which minimizes waste, environmental impact on site, and production delays due to the weather. One of the ways that the Escobedo Group is revolutionizing this industry is by working with engineers, architects, fabricators, and
builders under one roof. The close integration of these disciplines and the shared commitment to quality and continuing innovation defy what can be achieved with conventional or even ‘pre-fab’ building. “As we continue to grow and innovate it’s the passion and the dedication passed down to me from my father that continues to inform our decisions,” David Escobedo, the founder and co-owner, says.
The Escobedo Group goes one step further in realizing its commitment to quality by transporting and installing its builds with in-house equipment and certified employees. “When we last spoke, we were working solely on strengthening DARIO and the overall process. Since then we’ve created DARIO Villas available in one, two or three bedroom floor plans with customizable
interiors that are perfect for family retreats or vacation rentals especially in hard to reach locations. The Villas range from 900 to 1300 sq. ft. and can be erected, once on site, in a single day.” The Dario system is not limited to these designs however; the Escobedo Group has worked with clients and their architects to realize luxury homes even in the remotest of locations. “We believe it is the future of construction. The Dario system allows us to bring these large-scale projects to life in a more efficient, sustainable, and faster way than conventional construction.”
The panels are built with high precision and quality; two characteristics for which Escobedo has always been known. “There is nothing we leave to chance here. This system has enabled us to improve how we manage materials and energy. For example, we have extremely high insulating values making
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There are absolutely no limitations as to what can be done with DARIO, and that is a huge difference between a prefab and our panelized system
the finished product much more energy efficient and improving on indoor air quality. We also extrude our own metal studs exactly to the size needed using a high content of recycled steel. This means that clients who purchase the product are supporting innovative designs, energy efficiency, and a construction process that is more sustainable,” Matt Escobedo, company President, shares. Another aspect that has formed part of Escobedo’s journey since we last spoke is the impact of the pandemic on the expansion of its catalog. “Something we saw happen during Covid-19 was the development of multigenerational living. Many of our clients have large properties, and they wanted to be able to create guest suites, offices, and spaces for their family to stay with them. This is how we came up with the DARIO Villas. For us, they are an excellent way to deliver the same quality of build in a faster, more efficient way,” says Matt.
One of these Villa projects can be found in rural west Texas, where the biggest challenge was the location. “Rural areas, where a lot of our clients have properties, can be difficult to access. We are able to save on labor costs and limit project delays constructing the panels in our facility. From concept to move-in the West Texas Villa had a turnaround time of six months.”
Matt explains that while the floor plan is predetermined on a DARIO Villa, the Escobedo group can work with the client or the client’s designer to customize the interior or offer in-house design consultation and state-of-the-art finishes. The Villas also have the option of a partial or wrap around deck.
Another strength of the Dario panelized system is its flexibility as demonstrated in a rural Colorado project whose owner was also the building’s
designer. The Escobedo Group was able to realize its client’s vision and despite the difficulties of the location, it was able to complete the entire ranch house including integrated mechanical systems, a shop and cistern in less than a year. It took a mere fivedays from prepped foundation to dry-in.
Our conversation then turns towards how the company is able to separate itself from other builders in Texas and the surrounding region. One of the key benefits to the company’s operation is that it is vertically integrated within its supply network. “Our 60,000 sq. ft. facility houses separate millwork, stone cutting, and metalworking shops. In addition to our designers, our team consists of unsurpassed craftsmen in their fields. Some of the team members have worked with me for over 20 years,” says David. With over 100 people on staff the Escobedo Group completes 90 percent of its projects without subcontractors.
The few parts of a project that are contracted out, are contracted to trusted vendors. While Escobedo’s operation is a smoothrunning machine, for Matt, the system is continually being improved, and this will remain a focus as the business grows. “There are absolutely no limitations as to what can be done with DARIO, and that is a huge difference between a prefab and our panelized system. Pre-fabrication does have its restrictions, and we want to offer a solution for customers who want luxury home building that remains focused on quality while shortening the turnaround time.”
The company’s vision for the next few years then sparks a discussion surrounding the strategy for achieving it. David and Matt are confident in their team’s creativity and dedication, and they are proud of every member who has brought the business to
where it is today. “The future for Escobedo is in innovation. Our team will continue to develop and release new designs working with the latest technologies, as well as giving a place to skilled craftsmen. We are seeing interest all over the country for our product. Currently we are working on a handful of projects including a family retreat utilizing the Villas and a 20,000 sq. ft. luxury home.”
Matt shares that plans for the company’s growth are exciting. It was recently able to acquire an 11-acre property adjacent to its current site, which it will quickly grow into. “The Villas product is a fairly recent development and as interest in that product grows so will the company. We continue to work closely with clients to see the ways in which we can improve and how we can best support them.”
In bringing our conversation to a close, Matt wishes to share the full potential of the DARIO Panelized System, and encourage others out there to inquire about its possibilities. “When
architects hear ‘panelized systems’, they don’t quite understand what it is. For some, they assume that it is going to limit their design capability, but it’s quite the opposite. We’ve been able to demonstrate the system’s flexibility as well as our own. We are very collaborative here; we love to cooperate with interior designers and architects. Escobedo Group believes anything is possible and we are in a unique position to put that to the test. For those interested in the DARIO system, it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t restrict creativity or design capabilities in any way. On the contrary, it might just help elevate them,” Matt concludes. We look forward to seeing how the business remains innovative in its construction abilities, and how the DARIO Panelized System continues to take the industry by storm. ■
www.dariopanelized.com
Sue Berk established Berk+Walters Homes to be a leader in home building; here’s how she did it
In 1995, Sue Berk bought a condo in Dallas, and gave it a complete renovation. “I painted it, tiled the floors, I did the electrical and plumbing work,” she shares. “I was working in corporate doing high-tech marketing, but I loved renovating, so I decided to do it full time,” she continues. This bold move found her making tiles; she bought a kiln, started creating ceramics and backsplashes, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Berk+Walters Homes (Berk+Walters) specializes in developing spec homes. Sue’s husband, Brad Walters is an integral part of the company, although he has
a full time job in a corporation, but he helps at night and on weekends. Sue highlights that her modus operandi involves purchasing a piece of property, tearing down the existing house and then rebuilding. “Although I like to build homes, I also love design; it’s my favorite part of this job. I work with the architect on the design of the house, and then I come up with all the colors, the countertops, the styles, the tiles, the purchasing of the fixtures and that’s really the best part of the work,” she shares.
Sue goes on to discuss the style of her homes, and how she takes a contemporary approach to her design. “I use clean lines with some
elements of traditional inspiration as well. Our cabinets are shaker-style cabinets, rather than the flat panel cabinets. I also like gold accents. I am lucky in that the home industry in Dallas is ahead of many other markets. For example, we put all our electric outlets in the baseboards, which offers a much cleaner look, and that is something that when I built my first house, my electrician told me this is what all the multi-million-dollar houses are doing now. I think it also comes down to using the right subs, who are used to doing things that are high-end luxury.”
When asked from where she derives this level of inspiration, Sue discusses how she takes pride in being closely observant of her surroundings. “I walk around a lot of new builds, and many of my friends in the neighborhood live in beautiful houses that I admire. I go to trade shows, for lighting and home building, to get insight into what’s trending. I also draw inspiration from nature. I love the blues of the ocean, and sunset colors. However, I am careful to use neutral hues. A lot of people like that our spec houses don’t just do white and grey colors. I like to throw splashes of blue in to try to make my tiles more interesting, which people seem to like.”
There have been many challenges within the supply chain that have had their consequences on the construction industry, and to mitigate these obstacles, Sue shares how she has had to stay ahead of any disruptions. “At first, we had no trouble getting supplies, and the first couple of houses we built after the pandemic started ran very smoothly. On those houses, I ordered lumber, and it arrived within a week. Now, we have to order lumber a month in advance. For the project I am currently working on, the biggest impact has been the windows.
I was told by my suppliers that windows are among the products most affected by supply chain issues, predominantly because the materials are sourced from so many different places. The handles for the windows subsequently delayed us by six weeks, and it was very frustrating,” she says, adding that she has had to accommodate the extra stock and early deliveries as well. “We live in a big house with a lot of storage. I literally have boxes of light fixtures everywhere, boxes of plumbing suppliers, everything all over the house. I bought my appliances before we even started building the house and then for some reason, they arrived quite early, so I had a dishwasher, a microwave, all these electrical appliances kept in storage in my house.”
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. . I love the blues of the ocean, and sunset colors
On top of the business’ supply chain challenges, the company also had to grapple with the increase in prices. From Sue’s perspective, she is trying to minimize the overall cost to support potential buyers. With some of these uncertainties still prevalent within the market, Sue is looking at ways that she can best mitigate the challenges to ensure Berk+Walters remains a leader in the Dallas homebuilding industry. “If the market bears it, I will keep building spec houses. I am lucky that there are loads of opportunities to build within ten minutes of my house. The biggest advantage with having all my projects nearby is that I can be on site at least three to five times a day, back and forth, and by doing that, I can oversee any problems. So, I’m keen to maintain that.
“If the market drops, like it did in 2008, then we might have to go to renovations. I’m finding it quite tricky to predict now. It all depends on interest rates. Dallas is an extremely competitive market; it’s number two in the nation of places to live, but there are a million builders out there building houses. At Berk+Walters, we know who we are; we use better materials, and our finish is higher end than a lot of other builders out there. I am proud of that. So, we will do our best to see how the market responds, and then push to adapt accordingly,” Sue concludes. ■
Dallas is an extremely competitive market; it’s number two in the nation of places to live. . .
Recognized as one of the fastest growing builders in town, Black Oak Homes (Black Oak) is a locally owned custom home builder, based in Colorado Springs and the surrounding cities. Black Oak’s Owner, Akeem Seriki, is a US Army Veteran and has been in the building business since 2007. In 2019, Black Oak won the HBA Parade of Homes, People’s Choice Award and this year, in 2022, the business is honored to have, once again, won the HBA Parade of Homes, People’s Choice Award.
The founder of Black Oak Homes explains why every custom build project is a passion
“Here, at Black Oak Homes,” Akeem explains, “we offer complete custom homes, from start to finish, with unique floor plans, providing bespoke options, such as multigenerational living. This option enables our clients to bring the wider family together, with floor plans that can truly accommodate
additional accessibility needs. From open or split floor plans to elevators, one of our key differentiators is that even our standard options soar above the rest.”
As one of the fastest growing, and the only all-inclusive, builders in the region, Akeem is keen to discuss the reasons for the business’ success. “Our mission is to provide exceptional craftsmanship, extraordinary collaboration, and innovation within the building industry. We are passionate about our product, and our solutions exceed expectation. Our homes are built with quality materials and superior craftsmanship, so stand the test of time. Black Oak has formed tremendous bonds with some of the most gifted contractors around, thereby creating an advantage over our competitors. Creating these bonds has enabled us to continue providing an exceptional product with extremely competitive build times. Over the years, we have spent countless hours listening to the desires of families to create unique and personal homes.”
An industry leader, engaged in the development, design and building of single and multi-family homes, Black Oak strives to be the builder of choice in Southern Colorado. Indeed, despite the current economic uncertainty, it would seem that, in general, the health of the home building industry in Colorado is pretty robust. Akeem elaborates: “In 2022, Colorado Springs was actually ranked as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. That said, we truly believe in what
... you get gorgeous, open views of the mountains, less congested neighborhoods, and just a little more elbow room to roam
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we offer, and our product speaks for itself. Our passion is our product. When you can provide the client with superior solutions, and realize their vision by delivering exactly what they are looking for, then the desire for that product will always be healthy, irrespective of external economic factors.”
Black Oak aims to provide an experience of a lifetime. As Akeem enthuses: “We believe that houses shouldn’t be built because of consumer demand; they should be built to fit the client’s dream. We want to deliver an enjoyable and rewarding design and construction process from consult to keys, and we are committed to making that process as seamless and stressfree as possible. Satisfaction as a builder only comes from happy customers.”
From a kitchen, bathroom or complete remodel to a basement finish or home addition, while Black Oak offers a range of construction services, Akeem’s passion lies in bespoke custom builds. While customers can choose from a wide selection of floor plans,
working with Black Oak on a unique design offers the opportunity to create a dream property that exactly meets the needs and lifestyle of the homeowner. “You are able to plan out the type of flooring, kitchen cabinet finishes, and lighting that you’d like, anything you can dream of in effect. A custom home can also be more energy efficient than a pre-built model. The insulation provided by the walls is thicker because it has been built specifically for the home’s dimensions. Equally, you have more design options with a custom home. While floor plan models do offer some customization, only bespoke homes provide the opportunity to customize every square inch of your new space.”
A little more elbow room
Black Oak offers spectacular community living, with the opportunity to construct custom build homes in a number of
existing communities. “Homes built in the Winsome Hills community are often constructed on larger lots, offering more privacy than most of the other neighborhoods in the area. In addition to larger lots, you get gorgeous, open views of the mountains, less congested neighborhoods, and just a little more elbow room to roam. Winsome Hills is a great place for a new custom home,” Akeem expounds.
“Equally, Latigo offers an amazing option. One of the few available areas within moments of downtown Colorado Springs that offers an equestrian community, Latigo is a great place to consider building a new home,” Akeem continues. “This development offers lots with a minimum size of 2.5 acres, giving you more freedom to create your very own space. Latigo is a small community in Falcon, Colorado that provides an excellent place to live. It is
located just outside of the city limits and has beautiful views with abundant wildlife.”
With new custom build homes in the pipeline in nearby Saddlehorn, Black Oak’s success in the custom home sector looks set to continue. Clearly the people’s choice, Black Oak’s passion for its product will ensure it continues to speak for itself. ■
www.blackoakhomes.net
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Entering its tenth year of business, Wise Built Homes (Wise Built) has quickly secured a reputation for building aesthetically acute and functional homes that are not led by current trends; rather, led by owner Austin Miller, the firm always puts performance first. Highly efficient, thermally secure, and remarkably intelligent, these are homes
constructed with a difference – and they are sure to stand the test of time.
In the southwest Missouri home building scene, Austin’s name is known. Soon he will take on the mantle of President of the Home Builders Association (HBA) for Springfield. “I am going to be the first millennial President,” he admits. With seemingly endless pockets of passion, Austin carries that aptitude and ebullience
Why the new generation should join the home building trade, according to Wise Built Homes
into Wise Built, the outlet for his creativity and desire to help others live better lives. Growing up in the Ozarks region, he says he has always had a deep respect for builders. His grandfather, for instance, owned an HVAC company; he would ride around in his truck as a teenager looking for potential jobs; eventually, he received a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. The path was there to be taken.
“I always wanted to run my own business,” explains Austin. “My whole life has been centered around construction, and therefore I knew that I could bring a unique service to people by building beautiful homes of value. In conjunction with wanting to have my own business – something to call my own – Wise
Built allows me to offer a personal service and meet with people on a daily basis.”
It is going exceedingly well thus far. “For the last four years we have grown in volume by more than 50 percent,” reveals Austin. “Things have truly taken off, and that stands as a testament to the kinds of homes we are building; they stand out in both design and function.”
People are noticing. Last year, for instance, Austin was featured in the Springfield Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and Christian County’s Top 10 Under 40. On the former, he reflects: “The accolade really says one word to me: innovation. When it comes down to it, you only get recognition for doing things that others are not willing to
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do. So, for instance, rising costs is the biggest challenge in our industry right now, and while I cannot do anything about that, I can keep people informed. The first question in the home building process is always: How much is it going to cost? Consequently, I single-handedly developed a cost calculator on our website so people can stay educated. Doing this helps us stay relevant and successful. There is a quote that I like to follow: Imitators do not scare me, innovators do. The people that go above and beyond change industries.”
The latter carries more of a personal touch. “The recognition from Christian County shows my customers I care about the community,” explains Austin. “Anyone can be successful in their own professional life – but that is what you are paid to do. What are people doing outside of their job? How are they showing communal spirit? Which charity are they donating their time to?
Things that you are not getting paid for are just as important. This particular award is only given out to those who help others. I remain very proud of it.”
One concrete example of Wise Built’s communal spirit is its contribution to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital charity. In 2021, the business played a pivotal role in the build of a St. Jude’s Dream House. The project involves the pro bono build of a house with the aim of raising funds through successful raffle ticket sales. The home ended up reaching a valuation of nearly $400,000 for one lucky winner.
This particular property was built with a distinct rustic-yet-grand appearance and a raised entranceway. Inside, an elegant, large kitchen acts as a showstopper; you can imagine yourself popping open a bottle of red and serving up a mezze platter for an adoring array of guests. After all, there
is plenty of space – and a breakfast bar to boot. Upstairs, an eye-catching freestanding bathtub asks you to soak it all in.
“Working on that home was a truly amazing experience,” remembers Austin. “There were so many incredible subcontractors and suppliers that donated their time and materials – all for the cause. It was incredible to see people coming out and helping, all despite crazy price hikes and delays brought on by the pandemic. It is probably the most challenging project I have worked on. But it was so worth it. The project raised over $1 million for the charity in total.
“Going forward, we want to imbue every build with that spirit of care,” he concludes. “Our customer relation strategy is simple: building a custom home is a journey, but it does not have to be a difficult one. We want others to enjoy the process – just like we do. If there is an issue, we will take care of it; if there is a concern, we will address it.”
Austin has his eyes firmly set on the future, which is exciting, but not without its challenges. “We find ourselves in a unique
time within our industry – our workforce is ageing faster than we can replenish it. In the home building market, the workforce carries an older average age, which means being younger has come with some challenges. However, I am really interested in working towards getting the next generation into the trades and this modern home market.”
So, what is the answer? For Austin, it begins with representation. “The media has done a large disservice to tradespeople over the last 20 years or so,” he contends. “Every time you see a plumber on television or in a movie, he is portrayed as overweight and unintelligent. What kind of message is that sending out?” It is clearly something that Austin is highly passionate about.
As he aptly points out, though, the trades are not a redundant or menial profession.
“People seem to forget that if you finish school and work for someone else as a plumber for five years, then you can branch off and start your own company,” says Austin. “All of a sudden you are making an incredible living wage. Part of the solution to this problem is getting more young people to appreciate that there is a huge, tangible opportunity to make a great living for themselves and their families.”
As the conversation comes to a close, Austin reiterates the ethos of his company. “At Wise Built, we want to make the experience as personal as possible. Thus, in the next five years, we will integrate more software to streamline the entire process, and also look to bring in a new superintendent to help us take on more unique, standout projects.” ■ www.wise-built.com
Since we last spoke in 2018, TurnKey Builders (TurnKey) has not rested on its laurels. But, then again, it was never going to. Following the company’s last feature in Modern Home Builders magazine, TurnKey has gone on to become a member of the local, Greater New Braunfels Home Builders Association, and has taken part in its Annual Parade of Homes tour twice: in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
More recently, the firm has been able to proudly showcase some of its work to the public, featuring the latest designs, features, and amenities that the market has to offer. “Joining the Greater New Braunfels Home Builders Association has been an amazing step for us,” says Greg Hoppes, President at Turnkey. “It offers members a great, welcoming community of home builders, associates, sponsors, and so forth. Each person and organization has similar interests and operates in the niche of modern home building.
“There are different functions and meetings to attend, and that keeps things exciting – we are always up to date on the latest trends,” he explains. “Furthermore, it acts as a continuation of our education. As part of the association, we are keen to understand more about the municipal aspect of building within the different areas of our industry.”
As a full-service custom home building company, TurnKey offers a distinct product, price point, and professional service that has garnered quite the reputation. As we pointed out back in 2018, the firm is an exclusive builder that only commits to a set number of homes each year, thereby ensuring a best-in-class finish, superior management, and exemplary building expertise across every single project.
That care and attention to detail begins with Greg and his team. His affinity with the trade goes back to childhood. Greg fondly remembers
helping his father build the family home as a boy. Since then, he has gone on to accomplish many achievements within the industry, taking on more and more advanced roles and job titles, slowly working his way up, and earning numerous accolades in the process.
TurnKey now boasts efficient, Lean building practices to manage the construction of a home and creatively coordinates the entire build process with an emphasis on economic and environmental factors. Green building has become increasingly important – and sought after – within the modern home building market.
TurnKey is keen to emphasize practices and products that reflect that, creating sustainable projects that are not only a bonus for the planet, but also for the homeowner’s wallet.
TurnKey offers its clients unique custom and green features, which include but are not limited to: energy efficient light and water fixtures, water filtration systems, smart home devices,
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car chargers, zero-scapes and modern landscaping designs, window technology advancements, upgraded HVAC components, solar power, termite and pest prevention, ceiling and wall treatments, saunas, safe rooms, rainwater collection, swimming pools/spas, wificontrolled window coverings, and many more.
“Alongside these unique custom and green features, a primary trait of the business that sets us apart from competitors is our customer service and our team,” explains Greg. “The level of care and attention we offer is firstrate; and this is delivered through our incredible construction managers, my wife, a licensed and very talented interior designer, and her skilled assistant, plus our admin and book keeping staff. It is this team that allows the projects to keep moving even during these trying times.”
He continues “When a client presents us with something outside the box that
has an effective purpose, we want to make every attempt to allow them to accomplish their goals within the concept and performance of their new home.
“We have not stopped there. We also aim to pioneer new materials and systems that have not been offered before. As a result, clients will not have considered them. We endeavor to change that. However, limitations in this area has forced us to spend some extra time considering each new kind of offering further before we adopt it and offer it to our clients.”
As we turn our attention to the current state of the company, Greg insists 2022 has been a unique year.
“It has been rewarding and trying at the same time,” he admits. “We have seen a very good level of interest in our TurnKey products and services, but with that, of course, comes the challenges presented by the current geopolitical climate: material shortages, labor scarcity, and long lead times. It is affecting everyone in the industry –and it is almost a no-win situation.
“However, we are doing everything in our power to put our clients in the best situation and keep their projects moving forward,” he adds. “We have
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...creating an incredible experience for each and every client
our clients’ best interests at heart as we are building each of their unique custom homes. That means bringing on the right subcontractors for each job and hiring a robust team of tradespeople that can handle jobs and deliver the kinds of standards we expect. With that being said, we have seen great results and we look forward to building off this set of procedures and goals as we move forward despite the various negative market conditions and financial limitations that might, or might not, come into play.”
In terms of recent projects, Greg is keen to highlight the Alto Lago community at Cordova, which featured both Annual Parade of Homes tours for the Greater New Braunfels Home Builders Association. “TurnKey has created quite the footprint in that community,” he reveals. “It is, quite simply, an incredible home. Measuring about 3700 square feet in size, it was a great lot upon which we had the opportunity to build a new custom two-story home for our Houston-based client. They trusted us and put faith in our designs, zeroing in on specifically what they were looking to achieve in a retirement home.
“Naturally, we spent a lot of time working with the client on designing and formatting the home to suitably fit their own needs,” says Greg. “We included a swimming pool, landscaping, and many other features within the home that are really stunning and offer great aesthetic value. It really is amazing what TurnKey has achieved in just five years. Back then, we were a very small outfit: Team, Lean, and efficient – but small. Looking beyond Alto Lago at Cordova, we will continue to grow while holding true to those three founding principles, creating an incredible experience for each and every client.” ■ www.turnkeybuilderstx.com
Recognized as one of Colorado’s top home builders, Henry Development LLC (Henry Development) has been in the business of helping people build their dream home for over 20 years. The company specializes in ground up construction, large scale additions and remodels and is known for its quality construction, architectural beauty and innovative concepts and styles. Years of experience and professional expertise has helped the company to secure projects in some of Denver’s most prestigious neighborhoods, maintaining a commitment to setting the highest quality standards and providing an exceptional customer experience.
Henry Development’s five-step process ensures the smooth progression of its projects, supporting customers from start to finish. The first step consists of gathering information about the customer and their goals, which becomes a key starting point to work from. Following this, an in-depth review of the customer’s final plans will be carried out to ensure a mutual understanding has been reached for the full scope of the project before work begins. This involves establishing a clear course of action, which reflects the expectations of the client, ensuring that every detail of the project has been identified and implemented. During
After successfully overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, Henry Development LLC looks forward to another busy year in the thriving construction industry
construction, the company utilizes its deep variety of resources, close relationships with suppliers and highly skilled tradespeople, all overseen by an experienced project manager, to ensure high expectations are always met.
Once construction is complete, the company carries out a final inspection, working with the customer to identify any details which require additional attention. According to Company Owner, John B. Henry: “The job is only complete once the customer is happy with every aspect of the work and we try to remain flexible in making reasonable adjustments to accommodate changes throughout the construction process so that this can be achieved.”
The final step consists of obtaining customer feedback that helps the company to identify its accomplishments and cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement.
Henry Development utilizes a state-of-the-art construction software platform, which enables
customers to digitally track the progress of their project. This facilitates on-going communication with customers, providing them with a range of useful resources including progress photos, to-do lists and financial updates. This has improved the efficiency of communicating with clients and demonstrates the value the company places on building trust through transparency, encouraging open access to information and active participation in the decision-making process.
The company further differentiates itself from competitors through its extensive industry expertise, employing a team of professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience in building homes.
The team works closely with reputable architects and designers and has spent the last five to 15 years building relationships with a preferred list of vendors, suppliers and contractors, all of which share the same vision of delivering blue ribbon quality homes. As one of the company’s General Contractors, John B. Henry
We have clients that have hired us because of my industry background. . .
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also plays an important role in attracting customers to the business. As he explains: “What separates us from our competitors is my presence both in the office and on the job site.” He continues: “We have clients that have hired us because of my industry background and the fact that I am willing to get directly involved with the work that we do, rather than just sitting in the office behind the scenes.”
The company culture centers itself around strong teamwork and communication, which extends to each individual at the company, as well as the subcontractors working on the job. Everyone must play their part in moving each project along which often requires tapping into each other’s expertise and offering support wherever possible. As a member of the National Association of Homebuilders, the company utilizes every opportunity to educate its staff and customers, always looking for new ways to improve the business. One such example of this is the company’s commitment to educating itself on sustainability and making its operations more environmentally friendly.
One of the biggest challenges that the company has faced in recent years has
been the impact of the pandemic on the construction industry as a whole. During this time, Henry Development faced issues with its supply chains for specific products, cost increases for customers and adapting schedules to try to reduce the number of people attending the job site at the same time. Despite this, Henry Development has successfully come out the other side and is thriving in the current market, with 2022 being the company’s most successful year during its 22 years of being in business.
The company now looks ahead to an exciting and busy schedule for next year as the construction industry begins to move forward again at pace. With an almost 100 percent full schedule, 2023 looks set to be another successful year for Henry Development. ■
www.henrydevelopmentco.com
Championing colleagues, clients and the wider construction industry: the story of Millennium Custom Homes
For Millennium Custom Homes (Millennium), the first, and most important, value is customer satisfaction. Making decisions about a custom home or renovation project can be difficult, which is why Millennium always takes the time to guide its clients through the process. The business is headed by Founder and Owner, Philip A. Calinda Jr., who, in his 35 years’ experience, has helped thousands of clients achieve the homes of their dreams.
Phil’s introduction to the industry started at the age of 13, being paid $10 a day for scouring local construction sites and collecting discarded nails by the bucketful. At the age of 17, while still at high school, he secured a job as a laborer, and went on to work his way from the bottom up. Today, Phil has 2600 homes under his belt, and countless remodeling projects. “I can’t tell you how many remodels I have done: everything from educational establishments and doctors’ offices to houses of worship and retail properties,” he begins.
Phil has owned Millennium for 13 years, having bought the company from the original firm whose sites he scoured for nails, and for which he worked for over 30 years. “We have been able to strike out on our own, and go ahead and do some amazing work,” Phil enthuses. “I have a great team. Jessica is the mainstay
of the company; keeping us moving, keeping us supplied, keeping us insured,” he quips. “I have a right-hand man who is a master plumber, and my son has also joined us. We have a unique business model out in the field. We may not be up to speed with the latest technologies, but I don’t believe the office builds the job. I believe the job is built out in the field by the people who are dealing with it every day. Our construction lead time is usually half to a quarter of everybody else’s, and the quality is just as good. I have learned how to multi-task, and have multiple contractors working on a project at any one time.
“That is our uniqueness. I believe in tackling one or two jobs at a time, and then moving on to the next. Being able to manage more is not the issue, but rather, it’s more effective to concentrate forces so you are not running around wasting time when every movement counts,” Phil emphasizes.
In terms of a custom build or renovation project, in today’s market, Phil sees little to differentiate the two. “In this area, many of the superior properties are gone. People are therefore, having to purchase what’s available. This often results in a considerable amount of unique renovation to make the property work for the owner. Critically, whether we require framing or welding skills, for example, my team has the talent to meet the needs of the specific project.” No two projects are alike, and every customer has different wants and needs, whether
When the firm was founded in 1986, we had a vision about the kind of buildings we wanted to design. We believe that design should respond to a project’s site in a creative and meaningful way. We have always sought to create buildings that were tactile, modern, and well crafted.
Now more than 35 years later, these beliefs are
that’s in a home built from the ground up or in terms of a complete reconfiguration.
One such notable build is the Short Hills project, or as the team likes to refer to it: “The Tunnel Vision House”. Working in collaboration with Chris Manos of Architectura, this impressive feat of engineering came to fruition. As Chris explains: “One of this project’s challenges was the existing house and its configuration. We needed to engineer a way to get from the house to the new pool
reflected in the architecture we create. While our firm has grown along with the range and complexity of our projects, from single family residences to skyscrapers, we creatively build with a design approach that grew from our start with houses. We have found that by exploring the intimate relationships between family, place and building, we create successful projects.
without going outside. The owner wanted to incorporate a retractable roof system, enabling the pool to be used all year round and accessed from indoors. Much thought went into how to achieve this end.
“We chose to open up an existing concrete foundation wall to create an underground tunnel that leads to the pool deck. In conjunction with the civil engineer, we were able to create a straight run from the existing basement all the way underground to the pool, so the client never has to go outside in the winter.
“Phil and I then devised a mechanical heating and cooling system inside the tunnel, so everything is climate controlled. Furthermore, the client requested an addition to the main house: a staircase that leads to a new gym off of the master bedroom, with a Californianstyle balcony. The walls slide in two directions to open up the entire gym area. It has a balcony, and below that, there is a covered exterior terrace. A staircase connects the second, first and basement floors, so the client can move from the gym, down the staircase to the tunnel, enabling immediate access to the pool.”
There were several complexities with the project, including an existing pool house that needed to be architecturally and climatically integrated with the
new structure. Chris continues: “To bury the tunnel, we used rock, covered with Astroturf, which can present a drainage issue. We, therefore, had to create all types of waterproofing, and make sure the tunnel was pitched to prevent water seepage. A climbing wall was added to the exterior of the tunnel, making the space much more usable. It was a unique project; one of which Phil should
The Tunnel Vision House - Pool
be very proud, and particularly so, in light of the relatively short amount of time he took to complete it.”
Phil believes that these types of projects, and particularly those undertaken over the past couple of years, have been a sign of the times. He continues: “These have been examples of good times, and of people having the means to make these dreams a reality. Is this going to be the norm for the future? I don’t believe so. The projects coming in now are
on a much smaller scale, such as basic single-room renovations. I don’t want to be known for just doing large projects though; when times are tough, such as we’re coming into now, it’s important not to be locked into that market. We need to keep our smaller clientele too.
“Looking to the future, I want to step back a bit from the field, bring on my team, and now that my son is working with me, I can hand over the reins a little, but still oversee the work. So, where do I see the company going? We will, no doubt, have
Phil, Jessica and Angelo
We will, no doubt, have some diverse projects in the next five years. . .
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some diverse projects in the next five years, but in the immediate future, we are basically strapping ourselves in, and seeing how things go. Even those with disposable income are sitting tight right now because of the current uncertainty.”
To conclude, Phil highlights that as a oncelongstanding president, and still active member of his local builders’ association, he is a strong believer in championing the trade. “We value the communities in which we live and work, and give back by sharing our professional expertise with others through leadership and participation. It is crucial for building firms, of any size and standing, to be supportive of the associations. Uniting in this manner is the only way we can exert an element of control over the processes and regulations that are increasingly crippling the industry and our customers. It is important to help steer the agencies on what works and what doesn’t, for the future of our industry.” ■
www.millenniumcustomhomes.com
As the design-build industry reels from the aftershocks of the pandemic, Icon Building Group is gaining ground
Established in 2008, Icon Building Group (Icon) is a construction and remodeling company based in the suburbs outside of Chicago, specializing in luxury custom homes and neighborhoods. In Icon’s first sit-down with Modern Home Builders, since before the pandemic, Charlie Murphy, President, details some of the challenges fought and changes sought during such unprecedented times.
“First there was the complete halt in activity when the world stopped,” Charlie begins. “Which was quickly followed by a monumental rise in demand for housing stock, new construction and remodeling projects. Combine this with the supply chain issues relating to the sourcing and procurement of materials and contractors – it’s been truly chaotic. However, internally, we came together in the trenches to push
on through, ramped up our head count by doubling our workforce and came out on top. Everybody was forced to re-evaluate the efficiencies of their businesses and I ultimately see it all as a real learning opportunity, culturally. We’ve actually seen some pretty substantial growth throughout the whole period.”
“Yes,” Jenny Rice, Remodeling Sales and Design Consultant, states in agreement. “Our lives were turned
upside down overnight, as were people’s needs with regard to their home spaces. In a short window of time, we were challenged with accommodating the new normal amidst the issues and delays that the industry was caught up in. Our hair was a little on fire for a while there, but we’ve ploughed through the most difficult part.”
In the quest to provide the utmost in customer satisfaction and the highest quality design-build properties available, Icon employs the most talented architects, interior designers, contractors and materials. With proficiency and due diligence at the top of its agenda, the company offers its customers a stringent ‘On time. On Budget. Or Else!’ guarantee. Within this, it assures clients that they will be compensated for any
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It was an honor to delicately work alongside them, through what was an emotional process, to give the property a new breath of life
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delays, caused by the company itself, and never pay above the contracted price for their project. This approach to treating its clientele with accountability, honesty and respect sits at the heart of Icon’s company ethos and undoubtedly, is one of the reasons it has managed to weather the recent storms with such success.
“All of our projects sit between the values of $650,000 and $7 million, but with the way the market is currently operating, the activity below the $1 million mark has slowed,” Charlie explains. “When it comes to the remodeling side of things, we’ve started to see it crop up in different areas to the past. Traditionally, the higher-end school districts were less associated with remodeling, as the local upper-middle class demographic had enough disposable cash to build their own homes, ground-up. Now people in these areas are starting to see the affordability of buying an existing property and renovating it to their taste. Our remodeling division will account for around ten percent of all
revenue this year, whereas next year I’m expecting it to double to 20.”
“One of our recent projects has been for a family in the Barrington area,” Charlie continues. “Where we built a home for a customer, next to which we’re now building a property for his father, and I believe there’s a plot across the road that his brother wants – a family compound. The original customer’s 12,000-squarefoot property sits on a lake with a pier and features a two-lane bowling alley, a five-car garage and a sports court with a climbing wall, basketball nets, a golf simulator and a volleyball court. We also fitted a professional spa with a sauna, steam room and a really nice gym, and a new development that is starting to take hold around the country – an Amazon delivery room. The idea is to provide a safe space in which the homeowners can see who’s pulling up to deliver their packages, with a coded exterior door that sits separately to the locked door that leads into the
house. Next door at the father’s house we’re fitting a 5-lane indoor Olympic swimming pool, a Zen meditation room and we’re even talking about creating an underground tunnel between the two properties – everything you would expect from a $5 million home.”
With regards to Icon’s remodeling division, the company is proud of its diverse capabilities in approaching different types of projects, as Jenny details: “A couple approached us during the pandemic about a home in the North Shore suburbs, her mother had recently died of Covid, and they had taken on her house. The physical space was fantastic and had been in the family since 1997. It was an honor to delicately work alongside them, through what was an emotional process, to give the property a new breath of life.
“We had another house nearby where we converted half of their ten garages into a professional golf practice putting green and driving range, on which you could project the backdrop of multiple international golf courses. We kept the outside exactly the same to maintain its street presence and attractiveness; I’m not a golfer but it was a really cool job.”
However, it’s taken more than Icon’s reputation to help ride the wave post-Covid. Charlie’s attitude has also played a key role, as he concludes: “I personally view employees as customers, contractors as customers, and customers as customers – because we can’t do what we do, if we’re missing any one of these three subsets. We’re incredibly focused on our work culture. One thing we hold at the forefront of our minds when hiring new staff: hire the person, not the skill. Skills can always be learned. It is much harder to get a person to change values, communication skills and attitude.” ■
www.icon-group.com
Create
After six years of successful business, Create Construction has become a reputable, sought after custom home builder in Montana. Operating primarily in the Bozeman and Livingston areas, along with design/build, the company provides a range of services to customers, including pre-construction planning, contract and budget management.
Create Construction attributes its continued success in the market to its many long standing relationships with subcontractors and vendors. Possibly the most critical key to their success has been their highly skilled and dedicated team of craftsmen.
The company was founded in 2016 by Mitch Steckmest and Doug Addicott. Having previously worked alongside one another on a few of the same projects, the pair decided to establish a partnership in
Create Construction which was created to serve Gallatin and Park counties and the surrounding areas with the highest quality construction services. Prior to this, the two had been contracting on their own, acquiring valuable and complementary experience in the industry for a period of over 25 years.
Doug Addicott completed his degree in Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State University and has worked in the construction and facilities industry for over 30 years. During this time, Doug has gained experience working in roles such as Project
Manager, Director of Scheduling and Planning, Superintendent and Carpenter, performing on various projects including custom homes, commercial buildings and school facilities.
Coming from a similarly diverse background, Mitch Steckmest has been working in the construction industry since his high school days in Oregon. After moving to Bozeman to attend Montana State University in 1992, Mitch worked his way up from carpenter to eventually starting his own business, Steckmest Construction, in 2002. Having spent 25
years of his career completing construction work throughout the Gallatin Valley, Mitch has gained experience in both commercial and custom home projects.
Combining Doug’s expertise in business systems with Mitch’s custom building, customer relations and people management skills, the diverse experience of these two construction professionals has resulted in the creation of a successful partnership with the requisite strengths to continually meet the needs of its customers. When it comes to meeting client expectations, Doug highlights the areas on which the company concentrates: “One of the big things for us is that we don’t just want to build a beautiful house for someone, we want them to have a great experience whilst they are doing it. This means we need to have good management systems in place, so we can put more energy into our work and into creating strong relationships with our customers.”
Typically, one of the co-founders will be involved in any project that the company has undertaken, meaning there is always a principle working directly with the client on every job. This demonstrates the effectiveness of Create Construction’s management processes and workload sharing strategy. Doug continues: “A lot of
One of the big things for us is that we don’t just want to build a beautiful house for someone, we want them to have a great experience whilst they are doing it
our smaller competitors don’t have these management systems in place therefore it is something that really sets us apart.”
Another distinguishing quality of Create Construction is its capacity to build homes which are specifically designed to fit the exact needs and aesthetic preferences of each individual client. The company employs an in-house designer and therefore does a lot of its own design work for projects in addition to working alongside other architects. This is advantageous because it enables the company to extract the proper information required from the customer at the design stage of the process, carrying out conversations with regards to their specific desires and ensuring that every detail of the project is carefully planned out before the building work begins. Mitch sheds some
light on the importance of ensuring these details are considered from the start of the project: “From our biggest to our smallest projects, there are always details that we have to work through and come up with solutions to, so effective problem solving is definitely something that we excel at.”
Modern and contemporary builds form the majority of the company’s portfolio including an exciting project carried out in Paradise Valley for an architect’s personal home. Another exciting project which the company has been working on for the past three years is a complex with multiple buildings including an entertainment barn and a rustic modern farmhouse which is likely to be completed by February to March of next year.
When discussing the use of new technologies within the construction industry Doug highlights: “There is always
a new way to do anything and everything,” and the company keeps an open mind when it comes to looking for new and innovative processes, products and tools for completing work. One particular area of focus for Mitch and Doug is looking for ways to improve efficiency and weatherization, something both co-founders have prioritized even before setting up their partnership. In order to remain ahead of the curve, the company places a lot of focus on new developments and tries to incorporate these into its practice wherever possible.
During the pandemic, the company experienced some issues with its supply chains which impacted construction schedules, however these problems were easily overcome thanks to Create Construction’s effective preplanning strategies and business management systems. Emerging on the other side, the company looks to adjusting to the industry’s
‘new normal’ which is likely to see the national, if not global, impact of generally slowing down labor processes. Despite this, there has been little suggestion of demand slowing in the industry and the company continues to experience a high volume of customers seeking its services. Looking to the future, Mitch and Doug plan to continue growing the company sustainably, systemizing the business by putting additional management processes in place and hoping to substantially increase volume over the next few years. At the same time, the co-founders express the importance of finding a balance between growth and maintaining their style and personal connection with clients, as this is, and will continue to be, a huge part of what makes the business so successful. ■
www. createconstructionmt.com
Jason Ruebl’s grandfather was a cabinet maker in the 40s and began building homes during the turn of the decade. Although Jason’s grandfather passed away, his legacy of hard work and dedication to beautiful homes lives on through his company, Ruebl Builders (Ruebl). “He started building his own spec homes, which is how Ruebl began,” shares Jason. “My father, Bill, then took over the business. He started working for my grandpa, and basically took the company to the next level and was very successful in his endeavor,” says Jason.
Three generations of business have refined Ruebl to be a leading homebuilder that prioritizes relationships with both its team and its clients. “We have a great group that surrounds us, and that culture of unity is what forms the bedrock of our success,” says Jason. In our conversation, Jason is joined by Scott Gallert, the Project Manager, who has been integral in contract completion, and, according to Jason, is an excellent example of the type of people working at Ruebl. “We would have never got this far without the people who are part of this team, people like Scott. There are always challenges along the way with budgets or design ideas. However, we are very fortunate to have expert people who know how to overcome any challenge in order to exceed our clients expectations,” shares Jason.
the driving
“Everyone here is truly a team player,” Scott adds. “It is like a small family, we get to know each client, their styles, personalities and hobbies. Taking the time to learn about each client helps us incorporate the perfect details and design into the craftsmanship we put into each custom home, which is one of the reasons I chose to be a part of this team. Regardless of whether you are an employee or a subcontractor each person plays an important role in the building process.”
Jason expands on Scott’s sentiments by paying tribute to the fantastic skills that Scott brings to the
team. “Scott has been a great addition. He is very communitive with our clients. We are in challenging times where the last two or so years have been difficult regarding the sourcing of materials, but Scott does a great job staying in touch with customers at every stage.
“From a quality standpoint, he is also impeccable at ensuring that everything is the way it should be. There are contractors who occasionally want to accept that something is good enough for the sake of moving onto the next phase to meet the deadline. Scott doesn’t have that attitude. He wants to get it right regardless of how long it takes. For me, Scott is an example of the sort of people we have here; the ones that get the job done to the best of their ability, no matter the time or the cost that it takes, because the client’s happiness in their new home is what matters most to us,” says Jason.
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My personal project is to ensure that everyone within our team has a great quality of life...
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When it comes to additional reasons why the company excels within the industry, Jason expresses that its leading attribute boils down to attention to quality. “Being a small company has its benefits. One of them is that it enables us to be very detail oriented. We manage the number of projects we take on so that I can be onsite for each contract and remain closely involved with the project.
“We really pride ourselves on not growing to the point where I can’t be part of the work, because I want to be able to see what is going on, especially if there is ever an issue. This is why communication is a big factor for the way in which we work. For example, although I don’t expect Scott to answer calls over the weekend, I know he cares, and wants to be part of the team, so he will take those calls. It’s acts like that that help us stand apart from our competition,” Jason explains.
To demonstrate how the company approaches its work, we then go onto to discuss its Eagle Lake project, which is a signature project the business completed in Wisconsin. “We built a beautiful white oak timber frame home that had a rustic mountain aesthetic on a lake, despite not being in the mountains. It’s a heck of a project and the client relied heavily on us to build the home of their dreams. Clients trust Ruebl Builders along with the architect, the interior designer, and our contractors. Obviously, money can become a factor in a project this large, but the client was very receptive to our ideas and we were able to exceed their expectations.”
Scott emphasizes that the business’ approach to relationships is what encourages customers to trust Ruebl. “The Eagle Lake project was a fantastic example of the sort of relationships we have with our customers. Many clients often ask, ‘if this was your home, what would you do?’ This is where we are able to use our knowledge of the client’s interests and passions to add specific design and details that are unique to that particular client; not every home builder knows their clients as well as we do. We proceed to work out what it’s going to cost, and we
maintain transparency accordingly,” says Jason. He shares that Ruebl is proud of the ways this approach has been able to bring together exquisite projects, and both Jason and Scott are excited for the work on the horizon.
Considering the challenges that the last two years have brought the construction industry, Jason looks to the future with hope. His goal moving forward is to remain a small company to maintain the excellent quality for which Ruebl has become renowned. “I’d like to keep up the close relationships that we have, so we need to ensure that the business doesn’t grow too big. Other than that, I have nothing to complain about; we have been very blessed. God has blessed us more than I can ever imagine to get us to where we are today.
“My personal project is to ensure that everyone within our team has a great quality of life; the painter, the cleaner, the glass suppliers, no matter who they are. Of course, we are always working to improve and refine what we do, but that is what strengthening a company is all about. I think if there is anything we want to work on, it’s the little things that make this company just that much better,” Jason concludes. ■
