Growing up in rural Wisconsin, access to nature was only footsteps away. My career informally started as I spent my days and evenings clearing paths and building forts in nature. As I grew up, I worked on jobs for my father’s small construction company during summers throughout middle and high school. After high school, I attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Each summer, I returned home to work for my father, gaining a broad foundation of construction experience that would later shape my carpentry skills. At that time, I saw my experience in construction as something that might be useful as a homeowner later in life—I hadn’t anticipated the reverence I would develop in coming years.
After graduating in 2019, I moved to Minneapolis, MN, and started Matthias Home Improvements LLC, specializing in finish carpentry and painting. I worked primarily in new suburban, high-end developments, adding accents to homes. This time gave me valuable experience with estimating, customer service, project management, scheduling, and accounting, in addition to honing my trade skills.
After three years in Minneapolis, I closed my business and returned to Northeast Wisconsin. I began working for a construction company that specializes in historical remodels and fine dining restaurants. Here, I further honed my carpentry skills using reclaimed materials and high-end, detailed finishes.
In April 2024, I traveled to Guatemala and completed an immersive ‘Elements of Natural Building’ course. This experience taught me to analyze landscapes and build using natural and renewable materials, deepening my connection to the planet and sparking my interest in sustainable building practices. My time in Guatemala catalyzed the merging of my passions for human development, community, connection, and construction. I remain a dedicated student, eager to contribute to the world of Natural Building.
Through Built Different, I bring a unique blend of craftsmanship, ecological mindfulness, and a passion for creating harmonious spaces that enrich your life from the outside in.
My mission is to transform the entire building experience. I strive to source materials responsibly, enhance the well-being of builders, and create structures in harmony with nature. My goal is to design communities that foster connection, redefining the experience of “home.” Over time, I will collaborate with industry experts to build communities that infuse nourishment, healing, and joy into the lives of their residents.
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