S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
SOUTH
SEPTEMBER 2025
on the cover
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Journey to NET ZER Rooted in Legacy, Building for Tomorrow Rooted in Legacy, Building for SYCAMORE BUILDERS The Power Behind RESNET and the Homes We Call Our Own The Power Behind RESNET and RESNET GREEN BUILT ALLIANCE Building the Future in Western North Carolina Building the Future in Western North
Chief Executive Officer Tamara Bellamy-Breen
Chief Financial Officer William Breen
Executive Publisher Mara Mather
Built America Magazine connects your brand with over 152,000 elite executives, offering an unmatched platform to elevate your presence among key decision-makers in the construction and development sectors. Whether you're launching a high-end property, seeking investment for innovative ventures, or aiming to affirm your industry dominance, our dedicated team ensures your message resonates with those who matter most. We provide tailored content solutions—from feature articles to exclusive interviews—designed to showcase your brand's uniqueness and ambitions. Embrace this opportunity to highlight your latest achievements and upcoming projects in a publication revered by industry leaders. Join us in crafting a narrative that not only reaches, but profoundly impacts, an audience ready to engage with your vision. For a partnership that transforms exposure into influence, contact our Group Publisher. Elevate your brand with Built America Magazine, where success meets sophistication.
Director of Operations Scott Carter
Business Development Managers Laura Dobson Cliff Christopher
Editor-in-Chief Skyler Grey
Production Manager Bill Gregson
Editorial Outreach Manager Brianna Jordan Darlene Muise
Chief Digital Officer (CDO)/Digital Strategy Manager Peter Gibbs
Mara Mather e: editorials@builtamericamagazine.com
CONTACT US 2875 S Orange Ave STE 500#6713 Orlando, FL 32806-5471
editorials@builtamericamagazine.com Email for all inquiries:
www.builtamericamagazine.com
02 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
DEAR READER FROM OUR EDITOR
Welcome to Built America Magazine’s Journey to Net Zero. Part Three, of our three part special edition dedicated to sustainability, performance-based design, and the innovators leading the charge toward a greener future. In this issue, we celebrate the visionaries, builders, and communities who are boldly redefining what it means to build sustainably in Western North Carolina. At the heart of this movement is the Green Built Alliance , a nonprofit based in Asheville. Through third-party certifications, advocacy, and community education, they are empowering builders, developers, and homeowners to pursue high- performance, energy-efficient homes. We also shine a light on Nicholson & Sun , where Donald Nicholson and his team are elevating solar installation into an art form. Bringing beauty, precision, and deep environmental ethics to every project. At Assembly Architecture + Build , Ross Smith offers a quiet revolution in residential design, where true luxury is found in the air you breathe and the light that fills a home built in balance with its site. And at Wild Abundance , Gaia Goldhill shares how this off-grid permaculture school and natural building institute is helping students reconnect with ancestral wisdom, hands-on skills, and sustainable land stewardship.
“ We commit to fully inclusive journeying with our collaborators, ensuring their stories are shared with integrity and passion. ” These are just a few of the groundbreaking companies featured in this edition. From regenerative neighborhoods and natural builders to solar pioneers and systems thinkers, the voices in this issue are united by one powerful belief: that the way we build can heal more than it harms —
And that a better built environment begins with values.
Warm regards, The Editorial Team
03
INSIDE
28
SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
16
GBA (GREEN BUILT ALLIANCE) Building the Future in Western North Carolina
28
SYCAMORE BUILDERS
Rooted in Legacy, Building for Tomorrow
42 ASSEMBLY ARCHITECTURE + BUILD Where Real Luxury Is Quiet, Restorative, and Built Into the Bones
SYCAMORE BUILDERS
56
RESNET
The Power Behind RESNET and the Homes We Call Our Own
66 NICHOLSON & SUN High-Performance Homes Don’t Need to Shout — They Just Need to Work
16
80 WILD ABUNDANCE
Where Hands Reclaim What the Heart Has Always Known
97 TERRA FUTURA
Building the Future, Rooted in the Past
112 ARCHITECTURAL WOODCRAFT The Quiet Force of Craft
CLOSING LINES
GREEN BUILT ALLIANCE
130 BUILDING FOR THE SOUTH’S FUTURE
Sustainability Where it Matters Most
BUILT AMERICA RECOMMENDS: SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
136
04
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
05
06 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
SHARE YOUR STORY CONNECT. ENGAGE. INSPIRE.
EDITORIAL COMPETITIVE PRICING, EDITORIAL IMPACT, INFINITE REACH Whether it’s groundbreaking innovations, compelling project journeys, or insightful reflections on trends that are shaping our world, your voice has the power to enlighten, inspire, and influence the sectors you're most passionate about. Contact our group publisher today to learn how your experiences and insights can become a featured part of our content.
MULI-LEVEL PRICING, UNMATCHED VALUE, MAXIMUM EXPOSURE ADVERTISING
Let us help you amplify your business, spotlight your products and services, and expose yourself to the unlimited connections across America’s construction landscape. Don't miss out on the chance to elevate your brand and make a lasting impact in the industry today.
editorials@builtamericamagazine.com For More Information :
Questions? Call us! 689-800-7291
FEATURED? INTERESTED IN BEING WHETHER YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING OR SHARING YOUR IMPACTFUL STORY WITH LIKE-MINDED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS - WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
SCAN THE QR CODE TO JOIN OUR WAITLIST
Built America Magazine | South
09
From pour… Streamline site-prep with solutions like the MX FUEL™ Plate Compactor. With gas-engine like power, this plate compactor delivers the fastest travel speed without sacrificing compaction. As the only plate compactor in its class with the ability to go in both forward and reverse directions, professionals are provided greater control during application. The handle can also easily fold down, creating a smaller footprint for storage and safer transportation around the jobsite.
…to finish The cordless MX FUEL™ 14” Cut Off Saw w/ RAPIDSTOP™ also provides the power and performance of a gas-powered unit, cutting through reinforced concrete and rebar with ease. A push button start allows users to start the cut off saw in seconds, eliminating the strenuous, repetitive motions of priming, choking, and pulling the engine to start. Meanwhile, the RAPIDSTOP™ Brake offers enhanced safety, stopping the blade within three seconds. The tool also features advanced safety features like Milwaukee’s revolutionary AUTOSTOP™ Kickback Control, which senses severe kickback and automatically shuts off the saw to reduce strain or injury to the user. MX FUEL™ 20" Plate Compactor MXF220-2HD XC8.0 MXFXC608
Each product within the MX FUEL™ system can be powered by the cutting- edge MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ line of batteries—Milwaukee’s most powerful, fastest charging, and longest life batteries. Pairing these batteries with the MX FUEL™ Super Charger, professionals can maximize their productivity, being provided up to 2X faster charging. The Super Charger is also COOL-CYCLE™ Capable, providing high-speed battery cooling and increased duty cycle for less downtime.
MX FUEL 14" CUT OFF SAW MXF315-2XC
FOR MORE INFO VISIT: WWW.MILWAUKEETOOL.COM
OPENING LINES
In the third installment of our three-part Journey to Net Zero special edition, Built America Magazine travels to Western North Carolina, where a powerful regional movement is reshaping what it means to build green. At the center of it all is the Green Built Alliance — a nonprofit dedicated to third-party certification, education, and advocacy for high-performance homes. The organization stands as a catalyst for change, working with builders, cities, and citizens to advance environmentally responsible construction tailored to the region’s climate and communities. This issue brings together an extraordinary group of builders, educators, and visionaries who are aligned with that mission: from Nicholson & Sun , whose custom solar installations reflect both form and function; to Assembly Architecture + Build , where architect Ross Smith invites us to rethink luxury as the light we live in and the air we breathe; to Wild Abundance , where Gaia Goldhill is reclaiming ancient wisdom through natural building and permaculture education. We also explore the regenerative development of Terra Futura , the craftsmanship and community-driven ethos of Sycamore Builders, the legacy of WJ Smith Construction , the technical leadership of RESNET in energy efficiency, and the artisanal excellence of Architectural Woodcraft . Together with the Green Built Alliance, these contributors are proving that sustainable building is not just about carbon metrics — it’s about values, relationships, and redefining home for the next generation . The Journey to Net Zero: Building Forward, Living Smarter
S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Since 2001, the Green Built Alliance has been a driving force behind Western North Carolina’s green building movement. As a nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainability in the built environment, GBA offers third-party certification, educational programs, and policy advocacy to promote healthy, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible construction across the region. Headquartered in Asheville, the Green Built Alliance administers the Green Built Homes certification program —one of the nation’s few regionally tailored green building standards. Designed specifically for North Carolina’s climate and housing market, this certification provides a practical, affordable framework for builders and homeowners alike to reduce environmental impact and enhance long-term resilience. But their work doesn’t stop at certification. Through community initiatives like the Blue Horizons Project —which helps local residents reduce energy use and transition to clean power—and policy partnerships that support green development at the city and county level, GBA is actively shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for the region. With a mission rooted in education , collaboration, and climate action, the Green Built Alliance is proving that sustainability isn’t a luxury — it’s a community value. Their work empowers builders, municipalities, and families to build smarter, live healthier, and preserve the beauty of Western North Carolina for generations to come.
Keep reading for powerful stories and insights from the builders, designers, educators, and craftspeople aligned with this vision. vision .
Page 16-27
S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
What if the True Measure of a Builder Wasn’t What They Create, But What They Choose to Protect?
Written by: Skyler Grey | Editor in Chief Built America Magazine
And what if the mountains have been showing us how to build, patiently, sustainably, and with reverence — all along? There are places in America where nature whispers louder than industry— where rivers carve purpose into land, where the soil remembers storms, and where mountains don’t just rise, they stand watch. Western North Carolina is such a place. Not merely scenic, not merely Southern. It is a region alive with tension and harmony. The tension of old ways meeting new expectations. The harmony of progress that doesn’t bulldoze its past. It is here, in this tucked-away corner of the South, that the Green Built Alliance has quietly reshaped what it means to build with integrity.
16 S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Built America Magazine | South
“Our mission, is to advance sustainable building practices. And we do that through three main vehicles: education, advocacy, and certification.”
— Jennifer Mclucas | Director of Operations, GBA
“The Alliance started as a group of local builders,” recalls Dan Clere, chair of the board, owner of Cardinal Point Construction, which builds high performing homes and communities within the Permaculture context. “They were pushing the envelope in terms of energy efficiency, trying to account for the operational energy of homes they were building.” But what began as a handful of hands evolved into a powerful collective voice. “Our mission,” says Jennifer McLucas, Director of Operations and Sustainability Programs, “is to advance sustainable building practices. And we do that through three main vehicles: education, advocacy, and certification.” A Humble Beginning with a Mighty Question
Pioneering Sustainability Education & Advocacy in WNC Since 2001 Over 3,000 Homes Certified Through Green Built Homes Program Empowering Builders & Homeowners to Achieve Measurable Energy Efficiency
JENNIFER MCLUCAS - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
“It’s about offering builders and homeowners real, actionable options.”
That last one — certification — is the cornerstone.
17
COURTESY OF CARDINAL POINT CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPHED BY: KEN FINE - KENFINE.COM
18 S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Built America Magazine | South
Administered by Green Built Alliance for more than two decades, Green Built Homes certification sets a rigorous standard for high-performance, sustainable building practices. “You can claim you’re building green,” Jennifer notes, “but without verification, it’s just marketing. What we offer is third- party proof that a home truly meets environmental and energy efficiency standards.” “When a new-build is Green Built Homes certified,” Jennifer added, “homeowners are assured that where they call home has better indoor air quality, lower utility and maintenance costs, increased durability, and typically stronger home appraisals than homes built merely to code.” The Landscape Shapes the Standard To understand the work of the Green Built Alliance, you must first understand the land it serves. “Our climate here is very forgiving,” says Dan. “We’ve got a unique mountain basin climate — robust weather, but also a gentle range of temperatures thanks to elevation.”
This is a place where the seasons don’t shout, they hum .
Where builders don’t have to wage war against the land, they can collaborate with it.
19
And that’s precisely what the GBA’s Green Built Homes certification program allows: collaboration. “Our program is more holistic than Energy Star,” Jennifer explains. “It covers energy efficiency, yes, but also indoor air quality, water conservation, sustainable materials, and embodied carbon.” Embodied Carbon: The Quiet Revolution If operational efficiency is the bright neon sign of green building, embodied carbon is its quiet revolution. It’s the emissions carried by every beam, tile, and nail before the structure even goes vertical. And it’s a concept GBA is now bringing to the forefront. “Embodied carbon has become central to the conversation,” Dan says. “It’s not a consumer-friendly term, but it’s vital. Construction leaves a large footprint — no matter what. So having tools and practices that offset that from the start is everything.” Jennifer adds, “It’s about offering builders and homeowners real, actionable options. The goal isn’t to greenwash, It’s to offer transparency and trust.” Practical, Accessible, and Local Unlike national certification programs that can be complex and costly, the GBA’s program is tailored—to the regional climate, materials, and market needs. “It’s scalable, yes,” says Jennifer, “but right now we’re focused on Western North Carolina.”
20 S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Built America Magazine | South
“Our region is consistent with East Tennessee, North Georgia, and the South Carolina foothills, so our standard works well here. It’s holistic, cost-effective, time- efficient, and builder-friendly.” That’s not just a slogan, it’s a reality born of years of adaptation. “LEED is a fantastic certification,” Jennifer acknowledges, “but it comes with a heavy administrative burden. Ours is more accessible. It’s not light on rigor, but it’s streamlined. And it’s credible.”
Healthier Homes. Happier Clients.
At its heart, the GBA isn’t just about performance—it’s about people. “Two things we emphasize,” says Dan, “are indoor comfort and occupant health.” He pauses, then continues: “There’s a myth that energy efficiency means less comfort. But in fact, it’s the opposite. Green homes are more comfortable. Every bedroom has an air return. There’s constant mechanical ventilation. You get better air, better balance, better health.” “Green building isn’t just about the planet—it’s about unifying human goals. We all want clean air, healthy kids, and homes that don’t bankrupt us.”
— Donald Nicholson Treasurer of the Board, CEO of Nicholson & Sun
COURTESY OF CARDINAL POINT CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPHED BY: KEN FINE - KENFINE.COM
21
COURTESY OF NICHOLSON & SUN
Donald Nicholson, treasurer of the board, CEO of Nicholson & Sun, which consistently drives green building science in the region with GBH Platinum Net Zero Energy certified homes, adds his own layer: “Green building isn’t just about the planet —it’s about unifying human goals. We all want clean air, healthy kids, and homes that don’t bankrupt us. This work meets at the center of those values.” Education Is the Engine If certification is the body, education is the soul . And no one underestimates its power. “Builders need to see that high- performance techniques aren’t just environmentally good,” Donald says.
22 S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Built America Magazine | South
23 ““They’re economically smart. For the builder. For the homeowner. For the grid.” Jennifer agrees: “We do continuing education not just for builders but for subcontractors and vendors. We’ve run workshops on stormwater management, edible native landscaping, invasive species prevention, and more. It’s about reshaping how we see the home — from structure to ecosystem.” One standout example is their Appalachian Offsets program, which covered Isaac Dixon Elementary with solar panels. “It made them one of the most efficient grade schools in the state,” Dan says. “Imagine what that teaches a child, to grow up learning under renewable energy.”
COURTESY OF NICHOLSON & SUN
3,000 Homes and Counting
More than 3,000 homes in the region are Green Built Homes certified. That’s 3,000 quiet victories in the battle for better building. And with each home, the standard spreads. “In my opinion,” Donald says, “Green Built Alliance is the best example of a private market solution. We don’t rely on government funding. That makes us nimble and consistent. Public programs come and go. We remain.” Even the presence of utilities like Duke Energy, with its HERO program that pays builders directly for high-efficiency practices, shows how far the market has come. “There are rebates many builders don’t even know about,” Jennifer adds. “We make sure they do.” The Call for the Next Builder
DAN CLERE | CEO CARDINAL POINT CONSTRUCTION
DONALD NICHOLSON | CEO NICHOLSON & SUN
“A few on-the-shelf materials, a couple of smart choices—and you’re hitting Green Built standards. And you’re not doing it alone. Our third-party certification process guides you. There’s support at every turn.”
— Dan Clere Chair of the Board, CEO Cardinal Point Construction
24 S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Built America Magazine | South
COURTESY OF NICHOLSON & SUN
To the builder reading this: you are likely closer than you think.
what green building should mean. The aim? To preserve trust, raise the bar, and bring more traditional builders into the fold. “We want to thread the needle,” Dan explains. “To keep the standard high, but still make it practical and possible. We want more people building better. Not fewer.” Where the Trees Know Your Name In the end, this isn’t a story about programs or panels or checklists. It’s about legacy. It’s about the homes you build when no one is watching. The homes your name will whisper through, long after the paint dries. It’s about what it means to live well—not just now, but in 50 years, when a child opens a window in winter and breathes in clean air, unaware that someone made it possible.
“You’re probably 80% of the way there already,” Dan says. “A few on-the-shelf materials, a couple of smart choices—and you’re hitting Green Built standards. And you’re not doing it alone. Our third-party certification process guides you. There’s support at every turn.” Jennifer’s advice is simple: “Reevaluate. Take a second look. You may be standing at the edge of something incredible—and just need a nudge to take the next step.” What Comes Next Looking ahead, the Alliance plans to refine their certification standards even further— ensuring they remain credible, transparent, and truly representative of
25
That someone can be you.
As Jennifer concludes: “Green Built Alliance is helping shape a more resilient, lower-impact housing stock for generations to come. As building science, materials, and technology evolve, so will our certification program—always with an eye toward what best serves both today’s homeowners and those of the future.” Will you join those building not just homes, but hope— for a world that needs both?
Curious Where to Begin?
Visit: www.greenbuilt.org to learn how to certify your next project.
Join the Green Built Alliance, or bring their standards to your community. This is your invitation—to build not just structures, but significance.
“As building science, materials, and technology evolve, so will our certification program. Always with an eye toward what best serves both today’s homeowners and those of the future.”
26
S P E C I A L I N T E R E S T
Built America Magazine | South Not a Member of GBA Yet? Here’s How -and Why- You Should Be North Carolina’s Sustainable Future Needs Builders Like You Whether you’re a builder, architect, homeowner, or city official. If you care about energy efficiency, long-term environmental impact, and resilient design in our region— membership with Green Built Alliance (GBA) connects you to Western North Carolina’s leading green building nonprofit. Get access to third-party green certification programs like Green Built Homes and Net Zero Ready Be part of the movement shaping climate- smart, community-centered construction in WNC Receive exclusive access to green building resources, training, policy updates, and community events
Become a Member Today Visit www.greenbuilt.org/membership Questions? Call
828.254.1995 Or Scan the QR Code
Show your clients you're building with intention — for a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow
27
Rooted in Legacy, Building for Tomorrow
The first thing you notice about Dakota Chapman isn’t the technical precision you might expect from a certified Passive House builder. It’s his calm and unwavering steadiness that seems to have grown out of the deep roots of his past. He has raced against time as a firefighter- EMT, served with quiet excellence at a nonprofit, and now, as President of Sycamore Builders, he stands at the helm of a company reshaping what homebuilding can be in Western North Carolina. “I’ve been in a career that’s been life and death,” Dakota reflects. “Construction isn’t life and death. There are always problems that we’re going to have, but there’s always a solution — and there’s never just one way to solve things.”
That
steady
clarity
became
the
foundation Builders. Founded in 2021, the company is young however, it carries a lineage that stretches back generations. “My father is a residential developer. His father was a master carpenter. My father-in-law is a retired commercial contractor,” Dakota explains. “It was almost inevitable that I ended up in the industry.” for Sycamore Yet what makes Sycamore remarkable isn’t its lineage. It’s the way Dakota has fused that heritage with something rare: a values-driven, purpose-forward approach that places service, collaboration, and sustainability at the heart of every build. A Service Ethic, Not Just a Skillset
Before he ever laid a foundation, Dakota spent seven years working at a nonprofit rooted in hospitality. It shaped everything. “They had great values. Pursuing excellence and quality and service for all of our guests,” he says. “That left a mark on me. When I started Sycamore, I wanted to carry that same full- service, client-first approach into construction.” That means Sycamore doesn’t just build homes. They orchestrate complex projects through a seamless, turnkey process. Aligning designers, engineers, suppliers, and craftsmen into a single, harmonious team. “These projects are incredibly complex. They require collaboration. They require care,” Dakota notes. “To offer a great product, you have to offer a great experience.”
30 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
“Having me understand that some of the things we’re dealing with today weren’t even around a generation before, and they figured it out,” he explains. “So we can figure it out too.” that lineage helps He ties that heritage to Sycamore’s future. “We totally align between a more formal commercial construction firm and a custom residential firm,” Dakota says. “We have the relationality of custom residential work mixed with the systems and procedures of commercial construction.” That fusion — heart and rigor — defines how Sycamore approaches sustainable design. Building With Purpose, Not Pretense
It’s why he chose the name Sycamore. The tree symbolizes resilience, rootedness, and shelter. A fitting emblem for a company aiming to build spaces that outlast lifetimes. Carrying a Legacy, Redefining Sustainability Dakota’s view of sustainability is deeply personal and refreshingly honest. “Sustainability means a lot of different things to a lot of different people,” he says. “If you asked my grandfather or my father whether sustainability was a pursuit of theirs, they might say no… but they were practicing it without even knowing it.” For Dakota, that generational thread reframed sustainability as something grounded in longevity not trends.
31
32 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
Sycamore’s formal mission statement is clear:
“We are committed to shaping a better future through thoughtful and sustainable construction practices that enhance both the built environment and the well-being of our clients and community… delivering projects that not only meet the needs of today but also preserve resources for tomorrow.”
But for Dakota, mission isn’t a wall plaque. It’s a daily compass.
“If a project is never built, it can’t be gauged on how sustainable it is,” he says simply. “So what we do has to be sustainable as well — airtight, so it consumes less energy to heat and cool.”
As a Certified Passive House Builder, Dakota carries a rare technical lens. “It just gives me another perspective,” he explains. “Passive House certification gives us the foundation to make decisions and understand the why behind what we’re doing. We’re not using a product just because it’s certified. We use it because it nets us better performance, better indoor air quality, better client comfort, less energy consumption.” “True sustainability has to be attainable—it’s about walking the walk, not just wishful thinking. I believe taking small, meaningful steps today is far more powerful than waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ when everything aligns.”
It’s a mantra he returns to often: know the “why” behind the build.
33
DAKOTA CHAPMAN | PRESIDENT
34 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
No Bounds, Only Standards
Built America Magazine | South
— it’s about stewardship. “Even our Sycamore standard buildings perform much better than code-built buildings,” he notes. “We can’t value-engineer out quality. Quality is synonymous with Sycamore.” That ethic extends to their geography. They currently serve Western North Carolina within about a 50-mile radius. But they’re patient about growth. “We do plan to expand,” Dakota says, “but not in the near future. We don’t want to spread ourselves too thin and negatively affect our impact.”
There are no size limits at Sycamore — only values.
“There’s no cap on how big we would go, and no limit to how small,” Dakota says. “We’d rather do a small project that prioritizes sustainability than a massive one that doesn’t.” Their projects often start around a million dollars, with some stretching far beyond, but it’s not about scale
“ We’d rather do a small project that prioritizes sustainability than a massive one that doesn’t.”
35
A Personal Turning Point For Dakota, sustainability stopped being an abstract goal when he became a father. “When my wife and I started our family, that gave me a completely different perspective on what we’re leaving for the people and generations behind us,” he says. “That was when the switch flipped for me and it became non-negotiable to reduce the impact of what we’re building.” This personal conviction has become Sycamore’s backbone. Every material choice, every wall assembly, every window detail is weighed through the lens of legacy - what will endure not just for the client, but for the children who might one day run their fingers along the same window frames.
Quality as a Covenant
“Uncompromising quality.” That’s how Dakota describes it.
“We won’t sacrifice the quality of the product or the experience for our clients,” he explains. “Quality isn’t dependent on budget. We start with quality, and whatever’s left over in the client’s budget, we use to dial up performance even further.” This philosophy ensures Sycamore projects are inherently high-performing and deeply personal. “We listen to our clients’ goals,” he says. “We figure out how to provide the best solution. It’s an a la carte approach to performance, but quality is never optional.”
Relationships as the Foundation
36 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
“We won’t sacrifice the quality of the product or the experience for our clients,”
If Sycamore’s homes are meticulously crafted, its relationships are tenderly cultivated.
complex projects without compromising performance. More than just a supplier, Builders FirstSource operates as a true collaborator—aligning with Sycamore’s values of quality, efficiency, and enduring craftsmanship. Collaboration is not just a strategy for him; it’s a culture. “Every single member of our team is passionate about building relationships,” he emphasizes. “That’s critical with our trade partners — and with our clients.” It shows. “Every single client we’ve had since I started this company is considered a friend,” Dakota says with quiet pride. “We have meals with them. We see them around the region. They miss seeing us after construction and we miss seeing them.”
“We can’t do what we do and provide the quality we provide without incredible trade partners,” Dakota says. “Designers, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, lighting designers, engineers. We pull them in from the very beginning.” Among those trusted partners is Builders FirstSource , whose long-term support of Dakota and Sycamore Builders has become part of the backbone of their success. With a robust portfolio of high-quality building materials, cutting-edge solutions, and responsive customer service, Builders FirstSource enables Sycamore to consistently deliver homes that exceed expectations. From framing packages and engineered wood products to windows, doors, and specialty components, their offerings help streamline
A Home That Will Speak for Them
37
38 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
Right now, Sycamore is preparing a deeply personal project: Dakota’s own family home. “It’s going to be a near Passive House, Zero Energy Ready, Energy Star certified,” he shares. “And it’s a renovation which is green in and of itself because we’re not building new construction.” That home will debut in the local Parade of Homes and later as a showcase house — a physical manifesto of what Sycamore stands for. “The greenest and most sustainable building is the one that already exists,” Dakota notes. “We’re excited to show what we’re capable of.” Changing the Industry, One Brick at a Time Sycamore is proudly part of the Green Built Alliance, and Dakota sees collaboration as the only way forward. “Net zero requires intentionality and forethought,” he says. “The Green Built Alliance brings like-minded companies together. True pursuit of net zero is collaborative at its core.” He’s also frank about the industry’s hurdles. “A lot of builders and designers still say, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it,’” he explains. “That mindset has to shift. And there’s this stigma that sustainable homes are way more expensive —
39
but that’s not always the case. You can build a very energy-efficient home for only a small increase in cost.”
His advice to other builders? Start small.
“You can’t flip a switch and suddenly be a sustainable company,” Dakota says. “It’s like eating an elephant... one bite at a time. One brick at a time. Just do it piece by piece, and over time you become a whole lot more sustainable in your methods.” Looking Ahead Over the next decade, Dakota sees Sycamore becoming a leader and advocate for attainable sustainability — not just in Western North Carolina, but in the broader industry dialogue. “We just want to be involved,” he says. “We want to sit next to like-minded people who are pursuing sustainability and learn from them. Because we can’t do it alone.” That humility, rare in an industry often driven by ego, may be Sycamore’s greatest strength. The Legacy They Hope to Leave When asked what he hopes people will feel walking into a Sycamore home, Dakota pauses. “I think they’ll first notice the quality and the comfort,” he says slowly. “But I hope they also notice the relationality. The collaboration. The transparency. The stewardship.”
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N 40
Built America Magazine | South
He smiles softly. “Honestly… I hope they feel the care. That’s what lasts.”
And perhaps that is the true measure of Sycamore’s work. Not just walls or windows. Not even energy scores. But something deeper — homes that carry the weight of intention. Homes that are shaped by generations past and built for generations yet to come. Homes rooted like the tree they’re named for: deep, steady, enduring.
Homes that whisper, with every timber and joint,
“ we were built with purpose.” “The Green Built Alliance brings like-minded companies together.
True pursuit of net zero is collaborative at its core.”
— Dakota Chapman, President Sycamore Builders
Ready to Build with Purpose? Whether you're dreaming of a sustainable custom home or seeking a builder who leads with integrity, craftsmanship, and care—Sycamore Builders is ready to help you bring that vision to life. Explore their work, meet the team, and start your own legacy at: www.sycamorebuilders.com 41
Where Real Luxury Is Quiet, Restorative, and Built Into the Bones
Written by: Skyler Grey Editor in Chief | Built America Magazine
In a quiet bend of the Appalachian hills, where creeks carve stories into the soil and the wind still knows your name, there is a home suspended gently above the land— not to conquer it, but to listen. It stands on columns like stilts, part shelter, part offering, hovering with reverence above a salamanders’ sanctuary. “It’s probably the greenest home we’ve ever built,” says Ross Smith, founder of Assembly Architecture + Build. “And it almost didn’t look like that from the start. You’d never expect it, but it came from really listening to the site. That’s what we do.” Assembly Architecture + Build is not a firm that simply constructs houses. It composes them. Like a string quartet writing music for each slope, stream, and sunbeam, the team at Assembly treats every project as a living collaboration between land, architect, builder, and future inhabitant. Ross, a hands-on learner turned architect turned builder, founded the company out of an almost childlike curiosity - the kind that builds forts before it builds frameworks.
“I was always a visual learner,” Ross reflects. “Before architecture school, I spent summers doing carpentry. I loved the tactile part of building. Eventually, I realized I wanted to see a home from beginning to end - not just draw it, but help it stand.” That desire birthed an integrated design-build model rooted not in industry trend, but in instinct. Today, Assembly thrives because of that instinct: to serve the client wholly, to consider beauty and systems together, to let design and construction dance in rhythm rather than isolation. “From the first walk through a raw site to the final deep breath on move-in night, we guide clients through every chapter of the journey.”
Built with Honesty, Communication, and Value
“ I realized I wanted to see a home from beginning to end - not just draw it, but help it stand.”” Ross Smith
Licensed Architect + Contractor Assembly Architecture + Build —
For Assembly, values aren’t etched in mission statements - they’re poured into footings, woven into wiring, visible in every decision from window placement to HVAC specs. “I’ve built four homes for neighbors in my own community,” Ross says. “So you learn real quick that the most important thing is trust. If I mess something up, I’m going to see that person in the grocery store. Our work is relationship-driven. It has to be.” When clients come to Assembly, often with a budget and a dream, the question becomes: How do we achieve the most value with the constraints we have? “It’s not about offering prepackaged solutions. It’s about deep conversations,” Ross explains. “We develop an owner's brief together. We talk, we listen, we ask about how they want to live, not just what they want to build. And from there, we find the right answers together.” That orientation toward value is also what defines Assembly’s approach to sustainability. “You can spend a fortune chasing green labels,” he says. “But sometimes the best move is the quiet one -upgrading insulation, refining your wall section, sourcing Southern yellow pine from Georgia instead of lumber shipped from Finland.”
Sustainability That Doesn’t Shout
44
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Licensed Architect and Contractor Ross Smith
“You can spend a fortune chasing green labels, But sometimes the best move is the quiet one”
45
Assembly doesn’t believe in sustainability as spectacle. “Green building isn’t a look,” Ross says. “It’s a feel. A sustainably built home is something you sense. It’s quieter. It’s calmer. The air is better. The light is warmer.”
46
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
He gestures to the firm’s most recent project —the one hovering on piers above the protected ecosystem. It’s built using a Japanese technique called shou sugi ban, which preserves wood by charring it. “We chose it because it lasts 200 years, needs little maintenance, and repels bugs and weather,” Ross says. “But there’s a bear who thinks it’s a tree. So we’ve had to replace some panels already.” He laughs, but doesn’t dismiss it. “There’s a lesson in that: You can plan for everything and still get surprised. You just have to stay adaptable.” The home is rotated five degrees for optimal winter solar gain. It uses passive techniques to reduce mechanical cooling and heating. And it was made possible by a client who, as Ross notes, “walks the walk.” “He doesn’t own a car. He bikes everywhere. He wanted small rooms. He let us push boundaries.”
47
Site Specific, Soul-Aware
Assembly is fundamentally about place. And not just any place: the layered terrain of Western North Carolina. Their design-build services reach about an hour from Asheville, with architectural work extending to California, Colorado, and beyond. “Everything starts with the site,” Ross says. “You can’t build a lasting home if it doesn’t sit right with the land. We talk a lot about life cycle. We want these homes to still be here in 200 years.” It’s a subtle rebellion against disposable culture - a home not as commodity, but legacy. “The U.S. builds homes to last 80 to 100 years, if that. But when you design for a long life, you’re forced to think differently - about systems, about siting, about future climate conditions.”
48
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Behind the scenes, Assembly runs on processes that elevate both product and people. “Quality control starts with systems,” Ross says. “We have weekly meetings between field crews and office staff. There’s no hierarchy. The person sweeping the floor is in the same meeting with the architect and the lead carpenter.” That egalitarian spirit means issues get spotted early and ownership is shared. And once a home is finished, Assembly doesn’t disappear. “There’s a six-month handoff period where the client stress-tests the house. We stay close. We answer questions. If a raccoon breaks your window, you call us. We’re there.” That enduring care is why neighbors become clients, and clients become friends.
Systems Rooted in People 49
Trusted Hands and Shared Values
Assembly’s subcontractors are more than just vendors.
“Family is the word that comes to mind,” Ross says. “We’ve worked with many of them for over a decade. We respect their knowledge, we ask for advice, we treat them as partners. Many of them are our friends.”
It’s a reflection of a deeper ethic: gratitude, humility, and community.
“You can’t build homes like this without good people. That includes the vendors, the framers, the site guys, everyone. It takes trust.”
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N 50
Guided by the Green Built Alliance Assembly is a long-time supporter of the Green Built Alliance, which Ross praises not only for certification but for community-building. “They’re a hub. They connect builders, energy consultants, clients, funding. They test, verify, photograph. It’s not BS. They hold us accountable and make us better.” Ross credits them with helping curb greenwashing in the industry. “They bring rigor. Without that, sustainability becomes a marketing term.”
“They bring rigor. Without that, sustainability becomes a marketing term.”
51
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N 48 51
The Misconceptions of Green
Ross is quick to debunk the myth that green homes look a certain way.
“The irony is that most of what makes a home sustainable is invisible,” he says. “The wood framing? Buried. The wool insulation? Buried. The HVAC? Hidden in a mechanical room. Sustainability is felt, not seen.” He calls it somatic. “You walk into a green home, and it’s calm. It’s quiet. It’s tuned. The light is right. The air feels better. That’s not luxury in the traditional sense. That’s real luxury.” Looking Ahead: Fully Electric, Fully Alive
Assembly is moving toward fully electric homes that don’t rely heavily on electricity.
“It’s about designing homes that require less to stay comfortable,” Ross explains. “We’re thinking about shading, cross-ventilation, passive solar gain. How to design in a way that reduces dependency on mechanical systems.” It’s science, yes. But also soul. “We want to build homes that people fall in love with,” he says. “Because when people love something, they care for it. And that’s what makes it last.”
53
What Endures
When asked what he hopes people feel in an Assembly-built home, Ross doesn’t hesitate. “Luxury,” he says. Then he pauses. “But not chandeliers and hot tubs kind of luxury. I mean peace. Health. Calm. That kind of luxury.”
He smiles.
“I want them to feel like they walked into a spa. Not a mansion. A place to exhale. A place that makes them feel good - not just look good.” In the end, Assembly doesn’t just build homes. They build belonging. With reverence for the land, with care for the people, and with the quiet conviction that building better is not just possible - it’s imperative.
If they can build a thriving, solar- powered, storm-proof, community-rooted town in the
middle of Florida—what’s stopping the rest of us?
54
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Because when you build with intention, what you create becomes more than shelter. It becomes story.
It becomes legacy .
Build What Matters
If you're ready to create a home that honors the land, elevates your well-being, and tells a story worth living - Assembly Architecture + Build is ready to walk that path with you.
Explore their work, values, and integrated design-build process a t www.assemblyab.com
55
“If you think about affordability, there’s the cost of the home, and then there’s the cost to live in it.” —Ryan Meres
Written by: Skyler Grey | Editor in Chief Built America Magazine
The Power Behind RESNET® and the Homes We Call Our Own
The American dream is shifting. It’s no longer just about square footage, school districts, or granite countertops. More now than ever, it’s about what we can’t see: the air that moves through the walls, the heat we don’t waste, the carbon we don't emit. And in this unseen transformation, RESNET® has been quietly doing the work for decades - standard by standard, score by score. RESNET doesn’t scream for attention. It operates like a backbone - unseen, vital, and holding everything together in the push toward energy-efficient housing. “The real purpose of RESNET,” said Ryan Meres, Program Director, “was to say, if you're purchasing an energy-efficient home, that energy savings should be valued in the mortgage process.” That’s where it started - in the dusty corners of paperwork, with the hope that a home’s energy performance could someday be seen as a financial asset.
RYAN MERES | PROGRAM DIRECTOR
MICHAEL MATTHEWS | NEW PROGRAMS SPECIALIST
56
S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
The change didn’t come from policy first. It came from practice. RESNET found its way into the real estate bloodstream through the builders. “Once builders picked it up and started seeing value in getting their homes HERS® rated,” Ryan said. Builders, Buy-In, and the Birth of Momentum
“That’s really what cemented where we are now.” The HERS Index - a simple score, from zero (net-zero energy) up to 100 (code minimum) - became the metric that bridged scientists and salespeople, developers and families. Michael Matthews, RESNET’s Programs Engagement Specialist, has been in those trenches. “You can go out, build a home, call it ‘high performing’ or ‘energy efficient’... but if there’s no quality assurance on the back end, how do you know it really is?”
“You can go out, build a home, call it ‘high performing’ or ‘energy efficient’... but if there’s no quality assurance on the back end, how do you know it really is?”
57
58 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
This isn’t just efficiency. It’s contributing to something deeper — housing affordability . Built America Magazine | South
The HERS rating brings accountability. It's not a promise. It’s proof.
For Matthews, the rating isn't just about kilowatts or compliance. It’s personal.
The Human Metric Behind the Score
“I worked with an affordable housing program that partnered quite often with Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina,” he said, “and I was able to work directly with homeowners… explaining the importance of the results of a HERS rating. Seeing that HERS rating enables homeowners to anticipate what their electric bill is going to be… and know how to budget going forward.” Many of these families were low to moderate income. For them, a five-dollar difference in a monthly utility bill could mean groceries or medication.
RESNET's story is not one of explosive disruption or sexy Silicon Valley launches. It's about small decisions with big consequences. It's about every home that gets rated and every homeowner who suddenly sees energy not as an abstract concept, but as something they can control - and afford. “If you think about affordability,” Ryan said, “there’s the cost of the home, and then there’s the cost to live in it.”
That’s where RESNET inserts itself - not into the glamour, but into the grit.
59
60 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
Built America Magazine | South
Into the daily math that determines whether families thrive or just survive. Matthews sees it similarly, but adds a layer of emotional clarity. energy efficiency,” he said, “I shift the conversation to comfort.” “When someone criticizes He elaborates on what that means: ambient temperature, low humidity, indoor air quality, manageable electric bills. “That, to me, is comfort. You can call it energy efficiency, but I call it comfort.” It’s a reframing that matters. Not just for skeptics, but for the millions of families walking through model homes, unaware that the real story isn’t the backsplash - it’s what’s behind the drywall. “Coopetition”, Community, and the Builders of Tomorrow For an organization of approximately 20 staff, RESNET’s impact is enormous. That’s no accident - it’s strategic. “RESNET is a small organization,” Ryan acknowledged. “So collaborations are extremely important to the work that we do.” Whether with utility companies, municipal governments, or nonprofits like Green Built Alliance, RESNET’s strength lies in its ecosystem.
61
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker