Approaching 20 years in business in 2026, Brush Arbor Homes is recognized as one of the top builders in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area. The firm provides its clients with timeless luxury, incorporating hand-crafted wood floors, bespoke handrails, and classic elements paired with the latest and greatest in modern features and fixtures. A home from Brush Arbor is “designed to remain timeless as it evolves with your family and our area’s discerning real estate market.”

Yet building glamorous villas is not all this dynamic firm does. Rooted in a culture of care for people, the proudest aspect of the company’s mandate is its BuyOne BuildOne program.

Under this program, for each high-end home Brush Arbor builds, it commits to building one home for a less fortunate person or a family in need of a roof over their heads, typically in a developing country. Each of these homes is built with a designated share of the profits from the company’s builds in the United States.

Brush Arbor Homes’ efforts do not stop with the donation of the money. The team regularly travels abroad to get physically involved in building these homes, ensuring that its high standards are upheld no matter the location. The team also contributes to the construction of community centers and clinics, improving the lives of those who might be living in economically challenged regions.

Moreover, Brush Arbor Homes has also begun to collaborate on the construction of churches used by Compassion International for helping underage victims of sex trafficking. Historically, locations include countries like South Sudan, Uganda, Guatemala, Bolivia, and others in South America, where Brush Arbor Homes’ founder and owner Jonathan Smith lived for some time.

Back on American soil, the region the company serves is already highly populated; as a result, land is scarce and comes at a premium. Brush Arbor’s solution is to find and purchase land which it then offers to clients, alongside building speculatively. In this case, finding good lots typically means rebuilding on formerly occupied land. The process can be tedious and costly, but is worth it for those in search of an address in this desirable area. “Inside the beltway, there isn’t a lot of raw land, but usually, when people retire, land becomes available. It’s very competitive,” Smith says.

This, he points out, is due to a trend of foreign builders looking to protect capital from offshore fluctuations by investing in real estate in the United States, which has impacted American construction companies by driving up the price of tear-downs.

“We build for very wealthy people,” he explains, “but the guys who are working on the houses are generally not wealthy, and so we’re passionate about treating every person with dignity and respect,” Smith says, exemplifying the company’s approach of doing business with decency and empathy.

“I’m excited to show young people especially just what helping others does for you, why God calls us to help other people. It’s not just for them; it’s for you,” Smith says. His reason for sharing this precious knowledge is simple but profound: “I feel like a lot of young people are looking for a sense of purpose and mission in their life, and that God tells us to help other people because it helps us as much as it helps them.” Living this universal truth for a lifetime, Smith would know.

Having established trusting relationships with partners abroad, Smith relies on them to connect the company with individuals in need in each respective area. Story after story is touching, but some stand out, like that of a young single mom in South Sudan with two children living in a makeshift lean-to. This vulnerable living condition led to her daughter with Down syndrome being routinely violated. Their new home featured lockable doors and windows that could protect the family from criminal entry, other intruders, and monsoon-style rains.

The process of connecting a local construction client with a foreign family is relatively straightforward. By connecting with its partners across 10 countries, Brush Arbor receives the profile of an identified family whose story the company then shares with a customer ready to start construction on their American home. As the house takes shape, progress on the BuyOne BuildOne home is shared with them—an experience that is understandably precious to the philanthropically-minded.

Not everyone everywhere is as well-intentioned as well-meaning people would like, so part of the identification process includes partners assisting families in securing title deeds to land first. This simply means that the company is then assured that no third parties can lay claim to the homes it builds for the needy. Smith has many stories to tell about these situations, which explain why he and his partners make it a habit to serve as support figures in the background in case new foreign homeowners have difficulties with jealous neighbors or family members, which has been all too common.

“One time, we had built a house for a widow and her children. Her sister and brother-in-law kicked her out of that house and were making her live in the shack next door,” Smith shares. In response, Smith went the extra mile, flying there himself and explaining to the envious relatives how things would go from then on, which solved the problem.

The Brush Arbor Homes team enjoys its foreign construction projects as much as it enjoys its work on home soil. “We had six or eight employees with family members and friends who went to Guatemala in August,” he tells us. The team built several houses and repaired existing buildings for a few of its partners. “It’s a blessing to us as a team to see that and meet a family that’s so grateful for our work.”

While Smith runs the company on Christian principles, with his focus on the universal truths reflected in the Gospel, he does not expect his team to subscribe to his faith. On the contrary, people of all backgrounds tend to stay at Brush Arbor Homes because they appreciate the culture. To maintain this overall spirit, the team gathers monthly to discuss projects at home and abroad, sharing details of identified families and meticulously planning the mission.

“Not everybody in our company believes the same way that I do, and that’s okay. They know that they have the freedom to believe whatever they wish,” Smith says. “It’s free information that we can share, and people can take it or leave it.”

As a servant leader with as much respect for his team as he has for his customers, Smith is heartfelt in his appreciation. “I like my team because they get the bigger picture. They get the fact that we don’t want to just work to make as much money as possible, but that there’s an eternal value in what we do.”

To this end, the company places family values above its bottom line. In Smith’s experience, this approach makes everyone better team players, improving in turn the quality of the company’s work in the field and delivering longevity.

Smith explains that his success was not a magical rise to the top, but rather a hard-earned path of relentless commitment to his faith and his people. Working for a big-name national construction firm upon his return from South America at the age of 27, Smith soon realized that the business-as-usual status quo did not live up to his inherent sense of ethics. Following what could be described as a divine hunch, the entrepreneur set out to build himself a construction company with integrity. “It was a pretty risky proposition. But I knew that I felt like God was saying, ‘you can do this’ and that I wanted to be able to do things like BuyOne BuildOne and not live from paycheck to paycheck,” he shares.

His hunch paid off. Today, Brush Arbor Homes is an example of down-to-earth authenticity, and of how business done right can yield positive results. Today, even his children are involved in the mission. His daughters make significant contributions, and his eldest and youngest sons have both travelled with him, as well as solo, to help build some of the houses.

Coming up on its twentieth year in business, “We’re stronger than we’ve ever been just because we have great people. And I could say something about each one of them that is specific to that person just from their character,” Jonathan Smith says. “I’m blessed to have the team that we have.”

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While living on Hawaii’s Island of Maui in the 1990s, David Sands, President and Founder of Bamboo Living, built a house for himself. When the lumber was delivered, he looked at the massive amount of wood and thought, ‘This is not a good thing; the guy cut down a whole forest.’ Realizing there had to be a better, more sustainable option to Douglas Fir and other tree species that take decades to grow before they are mature enough to be harvested, he immersed himself in researching bamboo.

Sands soon realized bamboo’s many advantages over traditional building materials like wood, brick, concrete, and even steel. Growing primarily in tropical and subtropical areas, bamboo is abundant in southeastern Asia. Fast-growing and sustainable, it can reach 164 feet in height with a base diameter of 12 inches. Lightweight yet incredibly strong, pound-for-pound, bamboo is a clear winner, used to build everything from small backyard sheds to massive homes. And, along with its versatility, beauty, and sustainability, bamboo is famous for its efficiency as a carbon sequestration and storage system; it can store carbon for up to 150 years.

One of the world’s most versatile materials, bamboo can be used to make countless products—inside the home it is transformed into utensils, kitchenware, decorative items, and as a replacement for hardwood flooring. Bamboo fibers are made into fabric which is then used to manufacture t-shirts, socks, underwear, and bed linen.

“I was trying to find an alternative, and that’s when I started the company Bamboo Living in 1995,” Sands tells us. One of his early projects was the creation of a community house made from bamboo. Growing quickly, the company soon became the world’s first certified and International Code Council (ICC) compliant, permit-ready business for bamboo buildings and home furnishings.

Along with Bamboo Living, Sands is behind sister company Rizome, which manufactures clear, defect-free, engineered bamboo lumber boards, veneers, and panels of various thicknesses and lengths. Just as versatile as wood, these bamboo products are durable and fire-resistant, and can be painted or stained to complement any décor.

Since its founding, Bamboo Living has proudly crafted hundreds of stunning bamboo homes and buildings for clients around the globe, and offers a plethora of available home designs, including the Zen Series, the Ohana Series, the Celestial Series, and many more.

On the smaller side of things, Bamboo Living is behind the construction of 10’ x 12’ sheds, garages, and other spaces used for storage, backyard offices, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). On the larger end, “We are in progress with the two biggest projects we have ever done, and we’re really looking at creating projects that showcase the material in the biggest way possible,” says Sands. One of the company’s current works is a home of around 10,000 square feet in Hawaii.

Although bamboo grows mainly in the heat of the tropics, Bamboo Living can build anywhere; in fact, the company recently had an inquiry about a ski chalet in Alaska. To date, some of the firm’s clients include Sammy Hagar, Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actress Barbara Hershey, producer Jim Gordon, and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. “Those projects really helped us get exposure for what we are doing, and for others to really see bamboo as an aspirational material, because that’s an important piece,” says Sands. “There are climate benefits, and it makes beautiful structures.”

These climate benefits are considerable; according to the UN Environment Programme, the building and construction sector is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, responsible for 37 percent of global emissions. Traditional building materials like concrete, brick, steel, and wood are labor-intensive to manufacture and install, extremely heavy, and costly to transport to building sites. By comparison, bamboo is much lighter and doesn’t need as many vital resources to produce.

Bamboo is Sands’ passion, and “being able to use alternative materials is an important piece of the puzzle,” he says. As public awareness of the need for reducing greenhouse gases increases, he says it is easier today to persuade people to make the move to bamboo than it was 30 years ago.

A lifelong learner and big believer in educating others, Sands often discusses the countless benefits of bamboo as a keynote speaker to audiences around the world. This includes the Asian Development Bank, which operates to encourage economic and social development and to reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific. Sands says there is a big push toward mass timber, which stores carbon on site in the wood. However, the World Bank, which has the mission “to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet,” has projected that the demand for mass timber—if it stays on its current trajectory—will outstrip the global wood supply two to four times by 2055. “So we need other solutions, and bamboo, being the fastest-growing woody plant, is an alternative,” says Sands.

Working with Indigenous partners, Sands has recently taken on one of the company’s most significant projects: ensuring future supply through planting fields of bamboo. Soon, 12,000 acres will be planted in The Philippines, with plans to plant another 12,000. The company has also done some test planting in Florida and is eyeing planting some 500 acres in Hawaii. “There is existing, mature bamboo here in Hawaii, so that can be the feedstock to start,” he says, “but getting the first acreage planted and the pilot mill in place would be great.”

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, forest regeneration was practically non-existent in The Philippines. Large-scale logging deforested massive tracts of land of their native hardwood and bamboo, which weren’t replanted. As a result, many of these areas stopped regenerating, and invasive grass took over.

“Giant bamboos are native in The Philippines, and huge areas were deforested, So we are working with Indigenous communities, who have finally gotten title to their ancestral lands, and helping them reinforce their homelands,” Sands explains. “That has had a major impact socially as well. Basically, we are able—through current credit funding—to give those plants, pay them to plant the plants on their land, maintain the plants, and create an agreement on when the bamboo matures, so it ends up being multi-generational income for the communities. The plants can live 100 years, and they become a real asset for the community as well. So we are really working to help that along.”

Results of the initial planting have been spectacular. “When you put bamboo into an agricultural setting, we’ve seen as much as 35-foot tall plants in 15 months, so that’s pretty incredible,” Sands says, adding that there is also a group looking to plant 100,000 hectares over the next few years.

Sands has always shared his knowledge about bamboo and its many benefits, and over the years, has been awarded for his groundbreaking work. Last year, Rizome and Sands were honored with the 2024 Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). Presented by the U.S. Department of State, Rizome was one of just six recipients chosen for the prestigious award in the Climate Resilience category.

“This accolade highlights Rizome’s groundbreaking efforts in the construction industry, where they are leading the way in using engineered bamboo as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials like wood, steel, and concrete,” says the company. “Not only is this innovative material a game-changer for eco-friendly construction, but it also plays a pivotal role in reforesting areas devastated by irresponsible agricultural practices.”

The ACE award, presented for the 25^th time, is a symbol of excellence for American companies making a positive impact on the world. During his acceptance speech, Sands’ stated: “It’s no longer business as usual; it’s business as a climate solution and community upliftment, and that’s everybody’s business.” The company was also a runner-up for the XPRIZE Carbon Removal award.

In the coming years, Sands envisions bamboo becoming one of the world’s top building materials, and he himself is tireless in working toward growing the market for this environmentally beneficial, sustainable product, for the benefit of all. “We are really actively working toward that first quarter million acres.”

The post Smart and Sustainable: The Strength, Value, and Beauty of Bamboo<p class="company">Bamboo Living and Rizome Bamboo</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

Led by company President Geoff Milnes, Progressive Real Estate is unlike others in the city’s growing real estate sector. Instead of working in just one segment of the industry, Progressive operates as a developer, general contractor, and property manager. By providing all these services with the utmost professionalism, Progressive creates high-quality multi-family apartment units, commercial spaces, and recently, sizable standalone bungalows catering to clients who want to age in place.

Winnipeg: city on the grow
In the past year alone, the Progressive Real Estate team has increased from 17 to 25 individuals, much of this growth owing to additional work on the development side of the business. A believer in strong yet sensible growth, Milnes welcomes new employees as demand for Progressive’s services increases. “We went full steam ahead into 2025,” he says. “We had a great 2024, but I knew 2025 was going to be great.”

The company has come a long way since it was founded 15 years ago. Prior to launching Progressive Real Estate, Milnes served as a General Manager at Student Works West, and later Business Manager at Acklands-Grainger, where he handled several high-profile clients. By buying, renovating, and selling houses, he kept building his knowledge of the housing market, in time becoming owner and co-founder of InsideOut Painting. A born entrepreneur, one of his goals is “to make Winnipeg a better place to live for generations to come.”

To date, Progressive Real Estate has completed 18 developments featuring 595 units, with another 15 developments in the pipeline representing over 650 new residential units. Much of the company’s success comes from Progressive’s early adoption of a “one-stop solution approach.” When the company first got into developing, other developers were building condos—which was a great way to start, since companies created the buildings, sold them, recapitalized, and repeated the process. However, this method has its limitations.

“It builds up the war chest for apartments you are ultimately going to keep,” Milnes explains, “but our strategy has been different from day one. We’ve really been focused on purpose-built rentals and have only built a handful of condos during our 15 years. Over time, we have really refined our system, which is quite amazing. We build an excellent product for a good value.” This means high-quality materials inside and out, including unique exterior elements such as custom lighting themes.

“We truly believe in our system, keep refining it, and build a really nice product,” says Milnes, explaining that Progressive’s aim isn’t simply to build an apartment solely to sell it. The attention to quality and detail sets the company apart. “If you’re the owner, the level of care is that much greater,” he says. “For us, we are the owner, the builder, the developer, and the property manager in the end, so that level of care and control transcends through all of that. It makes for better design decisions at the outset, and ultimately an easier product to manage later on.”

Using dimensional lumber and metal components as necessary, Progressive focuses on wood-frame construction. Once limited to four storeys, the company can today build up to six storeys since Manitoba adopted the 2020 National Building Code. “We actually built the first six-storey wood frame building here in Winnipeg, adopting that new code,” says Milnes. “Today, we are building buildings between four and six storeys out of wood, depending on what height is approved by the Council.”

Quality projects
Always mindful of its environmental impact, Progressive places a high value on operating sustainably. Every Progressive building exceeds basic energy code requirements by 25 percent, and the company has been recognized for energy efficiency by Crown corporation Efficiency Manitoba. All apartment complexes feature electric vehicle chargers, while the company’s Parkview Terrace project is the province’s first apartment complex outfitted with solar panels. Other key features of the company’s work include noise control and fire separations.

It can take a while to get shovels into the ground for new developments, which is why Progressive plans well in advance and works on several stages at the same time. This year, the company completed Phase 4 of the Parkview Terrace project. “Previously, we were just doing one phase at a time—one building, then start the next,” shares Milnes.

Located at 1976-1982 St. Mary’s Rd., Parkview Terrace is next to Henteleff Park in South St. Vital. Consisting of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, the project will see seven phases in total. Its many amenities include a fitness centre, a coffee bar, a multi-purpose room, and an on-site car wash, while all suites have upgraded finishes, in-suite laundry, and much more. With Phase 4 completed, the company overlapped construction of Phases 5 and 6. Once all phases are completed, Parkview Terrace will have about 400 units. “Phases 5 and 6 are 100 units in themselves, so it’s really great to have that overlap now, where we’ve already got Phases 5 and 6 almost locked up before we head into winter,” Milnes adds. “We are very excited about that.”

At Parkview Terrace, there are 18 different unit styles, owing to the unique characteristics of each building. Units range from approximately 500 square feet for a smaller one-bedroom to three-bedroom units of around 1,300 square feet. “That’s almost a house inside an apartment building, when you think about it,” says Milnes of the larger units, which feature formal dining rooms, large kitchens, and wrap-around balconies. Some renters may be downsizing from large family homes and still want to have space for a guest room and a home office, and Progressive’s offerings do the trick.

Along with Parkview Terrace, the team is busy with other projects, including 1131 Nairn. Slated for early 2027, 1131 Nairn—known as Inverness Lofts as a nod to the Scottish Highlands—will be an infill development project replacing a vacant lot in East Elmwood. Adjacent to a future rapid transit line, this one-building, 99-unit site will offer luxurious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments complete with modern appliances, high-end finishes, balconies, and other amenities in units filled with natural light. Shared areas include a sauna, yoga studio and fitness centre, conference room, and more, while the main floor will have three leasable commercial spaces.

Set for completion at the end of 2026 is the yet-unnamed 1380 Ravelston development. The team is about to break ground on the site for a project comprising 72 units across three buildings of three-and-a-half storeys and one two-and-a-half-storey building. Some of the project’s unique features include exterior entrances and staircases. “Every square foot we build is rentable space,” says Milnes of this work, which will be completed fairly quickly since there are no elevators, circulation hallways, or underground parking.

Stacked townhouses are another ideal option to meet the demand in Winnipeg’s rental market, with every square foot being leasable or saleable space. “That’s a product that will be in high demand,” predicts Milnes. “I’m seeing that market change, and I want to react to it.”

The company is also working on Oakdale Estates in Charleswood. Set to open next summer, all four bungalow-style condos are sold out. Three different floor plans were created, meeting the needs of all buyers. “All told—in terms of housing starts this year—we’ve done about 320 units, and that’s over two-and-a-half times what we’ve done in past years.”

Oakdale Estates marks a departure for Progressive Real Estate, which is still focused on its core builds, namely four- to six-storey wood frame apartment buildings. In the future, the company will continue adding bungalows to its offerings. Milnes’ parents are in their 70s, and he says, “I want to build more of that kind of product for people like my parents who are aging in place,” where someone else cuts the grass and shovels the snow.

Progressive was recently approved for another Winnipeg project of 14 semi-detached bungalow townhouses. “I think that’s a product that’s very high in demand and should fly off the shelves,” says Milnes. To be priced at around $575,000, these 1,300-square-foot homes will be ideal for empty nesters, offering two bedrooms, a den, main floor laundry, and a double garage. Depending on how the project goes, Progressive is also eyeing another eight-acre site north of Winnipeg, which would be well-suited for 50 bungalows.

Welcoming growth
Milnes has considered expanding into Calgary, where he is from. It would require building new relationships with tradespeople and becoming familiar with local bylaws. In Winnipeg, the demand for Progressive’s products is exceptional, with vacancy rates staying below two percent. “I’m really happy with the growth we’ve attained over the last 12 months,” he says. “I’d like to see us maintain that growth and be a company that builds over 300 apartments or units every year of some sort of housing type, whether it’s bungalows, apartments, or townhouses—300-plus units a year. That’s a sustainable level I’d like to see us at,” he says.

“In a year’s time, I’d like to see us be successful with our projects and have the same team with one or two more positions filled, depending on need. I really am pleased with how 2025 has gone, and for the most part would like to keep building at that level.”

The post Developer, General Contractor, Property Manager – Your One-Stop Solution<p class="company">Progressive Real Estate</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

A firm believer in the strength of teamwork, Republic truly values the collaboration of diverse talents, passions, and viewpoints, using the principles of a cooperative workplace to the advantage of clients, projects, and team members.

Working from coast to coast and into the northernmost regions of North America, Republic’s projects have been adapted to fit a variety of cultural and environmental settings, and even in the most isolated communities, employees go above and beyond to provide clever architectural solutions.

“Republic Architecture has had a very different approach than some of our competitors or other firms in our region, partly because we’re servicing the entire country,” says Tricia Schilling, Principal Interior Designer. “We have projects in all parts of Canada, and we’ve developed the ability to be completely agile and flexible from day one to accommodate that, which is really setting us apart in the industry.”

As seen during the pandemic, the company’s agility has afforded its team members with flexibility and the chance to establish work-life balance. “We’re a very diverse team,” adds Schilling. “We have people from all parts of the world, and that’s part of the really broad approach we bring to the field of architecture and interior design. It’s one of the things that brings a different culture and perspective to how we do our business. It’s been a unique way to learn about different people and different ways of seeing things.”

Supporting an activity-based workspace means very few people have fixed desks, creating spaces to either collaborate or work in quiet, all within the same office building. “Being diverse matters a lot to us,” stresses founder and CEO Shane Solomon, but it’s not diversity for diversity’s sake. “We’ve taken a strategy of creating a firm that we hope attracts a broad group of candidates, and we’re lucky in the fact that we get all kinds of different applicants who have different pieces of education and different work experiences.”

This has led to a balance of representation from people from all walks of life all working within the firm, which has added to the richness of the work Republic does. “Clients can relate to people who can relate to them,” he says. “It’s important to have voices and representation in our firm that reflect the kind of clients we have, so that contributes to our success in a real way.”

Those employees include an “extraordinary” number of women in a primarily male-dominated field, he adds. While perhaps not an intentional choice, it’s simply become a part of how Republic’s culture has resonated with individuals who express interest in working there.

“Because of our flexibility, agility, and ability for people to have families and to balance work and home life, it has just been a really inviting way that women can balance all of those things in their lives,” says Schilling. “We have a fair number of women working here who have decided to not have a family, too, so it’s not just those who have a family that Republic is drawing, but we’re a very welcoming environment, and I think that’s resonating with people.”

In an effort to bring more women to the industry, Republic hosts workshops, drawing in groups of interested students to get to know them on a more casual basis, ensuring the company is supporting that learning environment and giving students an insight into what happens when they graduate.

Republic’s approach has also included embracing sustainability in its projects, using wood roof structures instead of the traditional metal roof, or an exposed wood deck that gives warmth and acoustic value to an office space, for instance. “We’re trying to explore all different aspects of architecture and product development, incorporating those and using them to their best value,” Schilling says. “That’s part of our sustainability strategy, as well as trying to make sure our clients are serviced the best way we can.”

This approach has resonated strongly with clients as well. “They’re pushing us to think outside the box,” adds Schilling. “We’re moving into a season where clients are more interested in net-zero buildings and reducing how much money they’re pouring into operating their buildings. It gives us a different perspective and starting point for how we approach a problem when it comes to an architecture project or interior design project,” she says.

This lens gives the company a different way of looking at things, learning new techniques, and finding the best approaches and services being offered in the industry, all to better help clients achieve their goals.

While some of Republic’s clients have very strict requirements the company must follow, others encourage an exploration of various ways to minimize a carbon footprint, whether that’s using building materials that don’t require additional finishes—a concrete floor or a wood ceiling—or sourcing furniture solutions that allow for easy movement and changes.

Embracing sustainability led to Republic’s receiving the 2025 Wood Design & Building Award in the WoodWorks Prairie Category for its work on the Manitoba Hydro Riel Construction Office Project in Dugald, Manitoba at Woodrise 2025, held this September in Vancouver, BC. “This utility company is taking their role of being good stewards very seriously, so it was close to our hearts in terms of who’s using that building and why they’re needing a building,” says Schilling. “It was a great partnership.”

A similarly successful partnership was the redevelopment of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) Fish Laboratory in Darthmouth, Nova Scotia. A $16 million undertaking, this project called for creativity, precision, and collaboration, “from working closely with Public Works and Government Services Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Defence Research and Development Canada, and Natural Resources Canada, to preserving the building’s historical character while integrating state-of-the-art labs and a 94,500-litre ballast tank, making it a complex puzzle that pushed the limits of design and problem-solving,” describes the company. With sustainability at the core, this project achieved Three Green Globes Certification.

For a relatively young firm—Republic recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary complete with a party for clients and subcontractors—the company strives to build its niche in the industry while staying true to its own values and personal design process. “Republic has lots of runway in front of it,” says Solomon. “We figured out what our market niches are, and while there are always challenges whenever you’re working with a new client or a new project, focusing on the success of the project and our clients’ needs is one of the key reasons for our success so far.”

Solomon adds that the company is “quite privileged” in that it gets to work on a number of important projects, including the restoration of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, some of the preservation of the Manitoba Legislative Building, and currently the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC.

“The opportunity to work on some legacy projects is really exciting, and many of the projects we get to touch are those kinds of buildings,” he says. “It’s really a privilege, and each one comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities, which is great.”

Solomon also praises Republic’s “incredible” team of 65 people, citing the company as a “true startup. It was one person in a room. We’ve grown organically since then, and I think we have a real startup mentality,” he says. “We’re scrappy, but we don’t take anything for granted. We’ll come up with something, try it, test it, and then see if it’s working. If it’s working, we’ll lean harder into it; if it’s not working, we’ll walk away from it. And we don’t have a preconceived idea of how we’re going to execute on projects.”

Being recognized within the industry is validating for the company’s fresh approach. Along with its recent honour at Woodrise, Republic has also been recognized by the MASI Design Awards for a retail renovation, and by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals for its work in heritage preservation.

Maintaining such a level of expertise means finding the right people to complement the firm’s ethos. Typically, candidates receive three separate interviews, with at least one of them a 360 interview with a group of four or five Republic employees of different backgrounds and different roles and education. At the end of the conversation, everyone has to weigh in to decide if the candidate is a good fit.

“Ultimately, we’re working in a collaborative environment, and these are people you work with every day,” Solomon says. “Can you see yourself or your clients working with this individual? Will they add to the success of projects and the richness of the firm? Those discussions have really contributed to our success.”

Indeed, with plenty of exciting projects on the horizon, one of Republic’s biggest challenges this year has been the sheer volume of work—a good problem to have. “We’re going through a period of growth right now, so some challenges will be finding candidates who are a great fit for our firm culturally, who we think will add to the success of our projects, and who want to be part of what we have going on.”

“We’ve been very successful in winning projects, but that also means that it’s a bit taxing on staff,” Schilling adds.

To help combat that, Republic has an on-staff fitness expert who works with employees to keep them fit and ensure they haven’t lost sight of all aspects of health. Republic continually works to help employees achieve their best work while offering flexibility and freedom as well.

By offering a completely hybrid office approach—with only meetings calling for everyone to be on-site—there are no rules in terms of how many days or how many hours employees must spend in the office in any given week.

“That’s been a very important aspect of why people choose Republic, but it’s also been how we’ve remained quite successful in terms of being able to manage some of our travel as well,” Solomon explains. “We’re trying to give people more autonomy, working when they want to, how they want to. I don’t think that necessarily happens in other parts of the industry. It’s quite unique to us,” he says.

“There are many wildly successful, large, multinational firms out there, but sometimes there are clients that are looking for something a little more personal, a little more boutique,” says Solomon. “Sometimes they want the key person at the table, and even though we do work all across the globe, we’re doing it primarily out of one office in Winnipeg. All of that knowledge is in one building.” And it all comes together to provide exceptional service to clients in a phenomenal place to work.

The post Designing Women: Shared Goals, Collaboration, and the Strength of Teamwork<p class="company">Republic Architecture</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

“I wasn’t exercising my passion for design,” he recalls. “Real estate development was the perfect way to combine that love of design with my aptitude for math and engineering.”

At that seminar, MacDonald met Danielle Dignan, an experienced developer already building small-scale projects in San Francisco. Together, they represented a balance of theory and practice, MacDonald with his analytical background and Dignan with her hands-on construction experience. Within months, the pair launched their first project, marking the birth of DM Development, a company now known for merging cutting-edge design with social impact.

The company’s debut project, a modest two-unit building in San Francisco’s Marina District, was conceived just before the 2008 financial crisis hit. “We closed on the property two or three months before the Lehman collapse,” MacDonald says, laughing at the timing in hindsight. What could have been a catastrophic start instead became a defining moment for DM’s philosophy: resilience, creativity, and long-term vision.

Rather than retreat, the partners pressed forward, betting on San Francisco’s recovery. The decision paid off, not only financially, but strategically. Their early success allowed them to scale up quickly when competitors were hesitant, acquiring undervalued properties and developing during a period of low construction costs. By the mid-2010s, the company was being hailed as one of the city’s most forward-thinking developers.

At its core, DM Development has always been about more than just building structures. It’s about building community, beauty, and opportunity across the economic spectrum. The founders saw a gap in the housing market—stunning design and quality craftsmanship were typically reserved for high-end buyers. They wanted to change that.

“Our goal has always been to democratize great design,” says MacDonald. “We want to make it available not just to the wealthy, but also to middle-income and affordable housing residents.”

That ethos has shaped every DM project since. Whether developing ultra-luxury condominiums or affordable housing complexes, the company maintains the same standards for materials, finishes, and amenities. Each project embodies what MacDonald calls “uplifting spaces,” homes that improve the quality of life for residents while enhancing the fabric of the neighborhood.

As a result, DM Development has become a leader in pushing the boundaries of construction technology, particularly in volumetric modular design and mass timber. These methods, once considered niche, are now central to the company’s efforts to deliver housing that is both affordable and environmentally responsible.

Volumetric prefabrication, for instance, involves manufacturing fully built modules offsite and assembling them like building blocks at the construction site. This method dramatically reduces waste, cuts down on carbon emissions, and shortens construction timelines.

“Volumetric modular can reduce construction waste by up to 40 percent,” MacDonald explains. “You’re building much like you would a car in a factory, with precision, efficiency, and far less environmental impact.”

Likewise, mass timber—large, engineered wood components that replace steel or concrete—offers both aesthetic and ecological benefits. Timber captures carbon, supports sustainable forestry, and creates warm, inviting interiors that residents love.

One of DM Development’s most ambitious undertakings to date is 300 De Haro Street, a project that’s setting a new standard for affordable housing in San Francisco. The 11-story, 425-unit development is one of the largest 100 percent affordable housing projects ever built in the city, designed to provide homes for residents earning between 30 and 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The project was initially conceived as a market-rate development, but when financing became difficult amid economic headwinds, DM pivoted. By leveraging low-income housing tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, the company was able to move forward, and in doing so, address one of the city’s most urgent needs.

“We’re building this project for about $500,000 per unit,” says MacDonald. “In San Francisco, it’s not unusual for affordable housing to cost over a million per unit, so to deliver something of this scale and quality at half that cost is incredibly exciting.”

Every unit, amenity, and public space at 300 De Haro has been designed with the same attention to detail that defines DM’s luxury projects. “We’re not building affordable housing; we’re building beautiful housing that happens to be affordable,” says MacDonald. It’s a statement that captures DM’s mission perfectly: housing should be functional and inspiring, regardless of income level.

For DM Development, architecture is only the beginning. The company believes that what happens inside the walls of its buildings—the connections formed, the sense of belonging—is equally important. Many new residential buildings boast high-end amenities, from fitness studios to rooftop lounges. But MacDonald notes that these spaces often sit empty. DM’s approach focuses on activating those spaces through thoughtful programming and human connection.

“We don’t just design beautiful amenities; we create experiences,” he says. “That starts with hiring the right people at the front desk, people who are warm, welcoming, and know residents by name.”

Concierge staff are trained to foster relationships and anticipate needs, whether that means helping with errands, recommending local restaurants, or hosting events that bring residents together. These gatherings, yoga sessions, shared meals, and wellness workshops turn a building into a true community.

Inclusivity is another central tenet of the firm. Many DM projects integrate mixed-income housing, where luxury and affordable units coexist. It’s a model that some doubted would work, but the results have proven otherwise. In fact, many residents have expressed appreciation for the diversity it brings to their communities.

The rise of remote work has also reshaped the housing landscape, and DM Development is responding with innovation once again. The company is developing a new model that blends hospitality and multifamily living, with flexible, fully furnished rentals designed for today’s mobile workforce. Coming out of the pandemic, the team saw a surge in “digital nomads,” professionals who could live anywhere and wanted flexibility without sacrificing comfort. At the same time, the concept of “bleisure” (business + leisure) travel was gaining traction, with people extending work trips into longer stays.

“People don’t just want a hotel room anymore,” says MacDonald. “They want a beautiful, flexible home, a place that feels personal, even if they’re only staying for a month.”

DM’s flexible living concept offers fully furnished apartments available for stays ranging from a single night to a year or longer. The units are efficiently designed, with adaptable furniture and integrated technology, allowing residents to personalize their space. This model not only meets a growing demand but also creates stronger financial returns for investors through higher rent premiums and greater occupancy flexibility.

The company’s first project in this category is underway in Boston, chosen for its mix of universities, hospitals, and transient professionals, a perfect match for the flexible living model. Plans are already in motion to expand the concept to other major U.S. cities.

While DM Development continues to explore innovative housing models, its heart remains in California, particularly in addressing the state’s housing shortage. Following the success of 300 De Haro, the firm is doubling down on affordable housing throughout the Bay Area and beyond. The company is evaluating new projects in Oakland, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and San Jose, as well as in Southern California markets like Los Angeles and San Diego. Even Beverly Hills, a city known more for luxury than affordability, is now on DM’s radar as it seeks to meet new housing requirements.

For MacDonald, this expansion represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. “It’s incredibly gratifying to deliver 100 percent affordable housing in the same markets where we’ve built luxury properties,” he says. “It shows what’s possible when design, efficiency, and purpose come together.”

DM Development’s ability to adapt and thrive in challenging conditions stems not only from vision but also from policy awareness. The company has been quick to leverage California’s evolving legislative landscape, using tools like SB35 and the State Density Bonus Law to streamline entitlements and accelerate project delivery. These measures, combined with innovative financing and design strategies, could help unlock thousands of new housing units across the state.

Of course, this team understands that as cities grapple with climate change, sustainability is no longer optional, and DM is approaching the issue holistically. Beyond its mindful use of materials and construction methods, sustainability is built into the company’s entire philosophy: reducing waste, supporting local economies, and designing for human well-being.

Energy-efficient systems, transit-oriented locations, and abundant green spaces are now standard in DM’s projects. But the company goes a step further by integrating wellness and mindfulness into design. From yoga and meditation rooms to hydrotherapy spaces, DM’s communities promote physical and mental health in ways that resonate with modern residents.

“It’s about creating environments where people thrive,” says MacDonald. “When someone feels connected, healthy, and inspired by where they live, that’s when a building truly succeeds.”

Looking ahead, DM Development’s path forward is clear, and ambitious. The firm plans to uphold its dual focus on affordable housing and flexible living, scaling both models across California and into new markets. As the economic tides shift and urban landscapes evolve, DM remains anchored in its founding principle: great design should be for everyone.

From luxury high-rises in Los Angeles to affordable communities in San Francisco, every DM Development project carries the same DNA: a commitment to beauty, inclusivity, sustainability, and community. It’s a vision that blends the artistry of design with the pragmatism of engineering, much like the man who leads it.

For Mark MacDonald, the transition from high-tech to real estate wasn’t just a career change, but a calling. “I realized that real estate development was what I was meant to do all along,” he reflects. “It lets me combine everything I love—design, innovation, and impact—into something that makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

And in a city where the cost of living continues to soar, DM Development’s message, that beauty and affordability can coexist, feels not just refreshing, but essential.

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Over the years, HBAWV has built a reputation as the collective voice of an industry that not only fuels the state’s economy but also shapes the communities in which West Virginians live, work, and raise families. From supporting local builders to influencing statewide housing policy, the association plays a central role in addressing some of West Virginia’s most pressing challenges, ranging from housing affordability to workforce shortages.

At the heart of HBAWV’s purpose is advocacy, a mission grounded in the belief that builders must have a strong, unified voice to influence the decisions that affect how and where people live. The association works tirelessly to ensure that lawmakers, regulators, and the public understand the critical link between housing and economic growth.

“In West Virginia, home building isn’t just about construction; it’s about community,” says Kevin Roberts, State President of Home Builders Association of West Virginia. “It is our job is to make sure policymakers understand how every decision they make affects the ability of our members to provide homes for families across the state.”

The association’s advocacy efforts span a wide range of policy areas, from zoning and permitting reform to infrastructure investment and environmental regulation. By maintaining active dialogue with state legislators and agencies, HBAWV works to strike a balance between necessary regulation and economic opportunity.

Over the past few years, the association has been instrumental in helping shape updates to state building codes, simplifying the approval process for new developments, and encouraging investment in rural infrastructure, all of which have direct effects on housing supply and affordability. Its leaders regularly testify before legislative committees, meet with state officials, and collaborate with allied organizations to keep the construction sector’s priorities visible.

“Advocacy isn’t about pushing an agenda,” says Aaron Dickerson, Immediate Past State President, now National State Representative at HBAWV. “It’s about making sure our members’ voices are heard, from small-town builders to large developers, and ensuring that housing remains a priority issue in every conversation about West Virginia’s future.”

Beyond legislative engagement, HBAWV also educates its members about new and evolving regulations. The association provides workshops, webinars, and updates that help builders stay informed about changes in tax laws and workplace safety requirements. This proactive approach empowers members to adapt quickly while maintaining compliance and quality.

In communities across West Virginia, affordable housing is both an opportunity and a challenge. The state’s housing market is diverse, spanning everything from revitalized downtown lofts to rural single-family homes, but affordability pressures persist in nearly every region. HBAWV has thus made housing affordability a central theme of its work. Rising construction costs and higher interest rates have put homeownership out of reach for many West Virginians, so the association continues to advocate for practical solutions that address the underlying causes of those cost increases.

“Housing affordability isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue,” Dickerson says. “What works in Charleston may not work in the Eastern Panhandle. Our goal is to give builders the flexibility and support they need to meet the needs of their local markets while keeping homeownership within reach.”

One of the most significant ways HBAWV supports affordability is by promoting regulatory efficiency. The association advocates for permitting processes that are transparent and predictable, reducing unnecessary delays that can add thousands of dollars to the cost of a new home. By working closely with local planning departments and state agencies, HBAWV encourages a smoother path from project concept to completion.

The association is also vocal about the importance of land availability and infrastructure investment. Access to developable land, especially in growing areas near employment centers, is essential to keeping housing costs reasonable. HBAWV works to ensure that new infrastructure projects such as water, sewer, and road improvements include considerations for residential development.

In addition, the association promotes innovation within the building process itself. Many members are exploring modular and manufactured housing as cost-effective ways to expand the supply of quality homes; others are adopting energy-efficient designs that reduce long-term costs for homeowners. HBAWV supports these efforts by offering training opportunities and encouraging collaboration across the industry.

The team also engages in ongoing dialogue with lenders, housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations to create pathways to ownership for first-time homebuyers. By operating as a nexus bringing together diverse stakeholders, HBAWV ensures that housing policy reflects the real needs of residents and the builders who serve them.

“Our members are builders of communities,” says Roberts. “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, quality home that fits their budget. That’s why housing affordability isn’t just an economic issue for us; it’s a moral one.”

Few issues have as far-reaching an impact on the future of the housing industry as workforce development, and builders across the country—especially in West Virginia—face significant shortages of skilled labor. The average age of a tradesperson continues to rise, and fewer young people are entering the industry.

HBAWV has made workforce development a top strategic priority, recognizing that without skilled workers and housing affordability, economic growth cannot be sustained. Through partnerships with community colleges and workforce agencies, the association is helping to create pathways for new talent to enter the construction trades.

“We’re facing a generational shift,” Dickerson explains. “For too long, society has pushed the idea that success only comes from a four-year degree. But the truth is, skilled trades offer incredible career opportunities, and we need to do a better job of showing young people that.”

To that end, HBAWV and its local associations sponsor apprenticeship programs and public awareness campaigns that highlight the benefits of working in construction. The association also collaborates with guidance counselors, educators, and local businesses to reintroduce technical education into high schools, ensuring that students are exposed to practical, hands-on career options.

Beyond recruitment, HBAWV is focused on retention and advancement. The association advocates for state and federal policies that fund trade training and make it easier for small businesses to invest in employee development. It also offers its own professional development programs, giving members access to courses on leadership, safety, business management, and emerging technologies.

“The workforce shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing our industry,” Roberts adds. “Our goal is to show young people that this is a career path where they can build a life, not just a job. When we invest in workforce development, we’re investing in West Virginia’s future.”

As technology continues to reshape how homes are designed and built, HBAWV also emphasizes the importance of digital literacy and innovation. Builders are increasingly integrating 3D modeling, energy analysis software, and automated systems into their work. By partnering with educational institutions, the association ensures that training programs stay current with industry trends and prepare the next generation of professionals for an evolving marketplace.

Success for the Home Builders Association of West Virginia isn’t measured solely in numbers. The association’s membership represents a significant portion of the state’s construction economy, collectively supporting thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in annual economic activity. But beyond those figures, HBAWV measures its achievements through impact: legislation passed, careers launched, and families housed.

Each year, the team evaluates its progress across multiple fronts, from advocacy results to workforce participation, to ensure that its efforts align with industry priorities. The association also hosts conferences and networking events that bring together professionals from every corner of the state to exchange ideas and celebrate successes. Challenges certainly remain, and the housing industry continues to face fluctuating material prices, supply chain instability, and rising insurance costs. Yet through collaboration and innovation, HBAWV has helped its members weather uncertainty while continuing to deliver value to their communities.

Looking forward, the association is committed to expanding partnerships at every level, from collaborating with local governments on housing policy to engaging with national organizations like the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) for broader advocacy and education. “As we look ahead, we’re focused on balance,” says Dickerson. “We want to build homes that are affordable, sustainable, and reflective of what West Virginians need today and in the future. That balance is what defines a healthy housing market, and it’s what we’re working to achieve.”

Indeed, sustainability and innovation will remain vital pillars of HBAWV’s future strategy. As energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and resilience become increasingly important to homeowners, the association will continue guiding its members toward practices that meet those expectations without compromising on cost or quality.

For more than 60 years, the Home Builders Association of West Virginia has stood as a steadfast advocate for the state’s home building community and its ongoing efforts in advocacy, housing affordability, and workforce development continue to strengthen not just the industry but the fabric of communities across the state. Through a combination of vision and collaboration, HBAWV has built a legacy of leadership, one that reflects the dedication of its members. As West Virginia looks toward the next generation of growth, HBAWV remains at the forefront, ensuring that the voices of builders and homeowners alike are heard and that the dream of homeownership remains within reach for all who call the Mountain State home.

The post Action and Advocacy – Strengthening West Virginia’s Housing Industry<p class="company">Home Builders Association of West Virginia (HBAWV)</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.