As listed on our homepage, we have many skills to bring to each project, most notably our combined talents which give each project precise attention and execution with budgets and timing top of mind.
Tackling projects of just about any kind, we do have our favorite building methods, which at the moment ranks with straw bale construction number one and adobe a close second. However are always changing our favorite, especially when a new method is discovered and mastered.
We firmly believe in our own personal evolution is key to our own sustainable survival, if you will. So it can be safe to conclude we enjoy simply creating beautiful homes and structures with beautiful details which make both the inhabitants and ourselves happy and proud. We consider ourselves to be flexible problem solvers willing to tackle just about anything presented to us. We enjoy a challenge and very much enjoy the variety different projects bring.
We are most efficient when we can create a project from start to finish, especially with new home construction. When projects allow we create from beginning to end, foundation to finish working closely with owner-builders in all aspects of the design process as well as the execution.
That being said, a line list of our services, again:
- General Construction and the following natural building methods –
- Adobe Construction – Straw Bale Construction
- Pumice – Crete Construction
- High Insulated Stick Frame
- Hybrid Home Design – Bridging sustainable elements with traditional construction methods
- Composite ICF blocks
Earthen and Healthy Home Specialties
- Adobe Beautification & Restoration
- Earthen Plastering – Interior & Exterior
- Earthen Floors – aka Poured Adobe Floors or Mud Floors
- Lime Plastering – Interior & Exterior
- Using healthy paints, glues, stains and any other aspects required of the project. If we can’t find the healthy product out there for your home, we will work with advisers to create our own solution. There is no aspect of home building which cannot be upgraded and made healthier, we believe that with all of our hearts.
Foundations Through Finishing
- Foundations, Framing, Flooring & Roofing
- Rough & Finish Carpentry
- Installation of Wood & Tile Floors
- Interior & Exterior Tile Design/Installation
Owner-Builder Architectural Design Assistance
From helping to define and design a passive solar home or structure by choosing the best materials, to adding solar radiant in-floor heating or water catchment systems. To designing and installing PVs solar panels – hot water solar panels, or wind turbines – we understanding the details needed for off-the-grid living. We have helped advise, design and create spaces and homes with efficiency and sustainability in mind for many.
As design/builders, we can also work with you directly to design your home and have our architect who is committed to sustainable building – sign off on your project.
Design Consulting for Interior & Exterior Detailing
Both of us bring to the table a keen eye for design and execution and are happy to share our views and talents. We do have a particular organic bent to most of our style, which if pressed to label we might call – upscale organic. Since we both are executing our designs as well as “seeing” them, and are craftspeople at heart and enjoy the beauty in the detailing, we can steer any execution away from unnecessary costs or problems.
Often times we have stepped into a project to help owner-builders with design choices, even down to those as simple as color choices for the walls. Carolyn in particular has a feel (and passion) for tile work in bathrooms especially, while Norbert has special talents with carpentry. So simply beyond the basics – foundations, walls, roofs – consider us a good second opinion for contributing to helping you bring the design elements together in your home or structure. We’d love to help.
Design in partnership with other sub-contractors
- Electrical & Plumbing Systems
- Home Heating & Cooling Systems
- Radiant Floor Heating Systems
- Solar Electrical & Hot Water Systems