Who We are

Christian Shackelford

My Grandfather was an artist who worked in paint, stone, and wood. I cleaned his studio and watched him work. He told me, “You have to make something every day.” Those words were the pedagogy of a master. That is how I am trying practice.

I picked up building at a young age, following in my mothers wake as she built spec homes. Later, I worked with antique log buildings, taking down 200 year old tobacco barns, and rebuilding them with my father and brother. I learned then to honor the materials that we work with and how they can outlive us and the people who inhabit them.

In adulthood, in California, I became involved in energy efficiency, and began to understand the impacts that buildings have on the environment and the people who in habit them. But as my technical knowledge grew the more I realized that what I love about buildings is the poetry. I longed to be involved in bringing them to life. I wanted to understand their rhythm, and space, and heart.

I revel in the day to day work of being a craftsman. I love putting a spotlight on the trades and the blue collar work force that provides us with the build environment. I am driven to make an impact on the world with our craft.