About W.H. Austin Design Build
As the world we inhabit continues to evolve, we believe that the places we live should evolve too. W.H. Austin Design Build aspires to build in a way that limits our present impact on natural systems without compromising on beauty and performance in the future. There are a multitude of wonderful approaches to creating a home or a place of business, and we believe we have a creative process that can help you find the best fit solution to suit your needs while also being good stewards of the Cumberland River watershed for many generations to come.
Our Guiding Principles:
Honesty
We maintain clear communication and transparency in everything we do. The trusting relationships we develop are one of the things we value most.
Craftsmanship
We have taken every opportunity to gather skills and hone our craft over the years, learning from some truly talented craftsmen, skilled designers, and our trade partners. We strive to bring a high level of craftsmanship to every project.
Value
We take pride in being great partners in your investment. We work with you during the planning process to engineer the highest quality solution within your budget and your timeline.
Integrity
Our work depends on a great number of good people, and we want to keep up our end of the deal. We do our level best with to maintain integrity with our community and to be good stewards while crafting each project.
Creativity
Without creativity, buildings tend to look and feel just the same. We help you express your unique vision and have some fun doing it! Take a look at our portfolio to see some of the fun projects we’ve had the pleasure of bringing to life.
Company Roots
Wade founded W.H. Austin Design Build in 2017 after noticing a need for ecologically focused design and building practices in the Southeast. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he hit the road with dreams of living off the land and building a sustainable homestead with the natural materials that surrounded him in his youth. On the way he ran into a vast network of knowledgeable folks with practical skills.
In 2006, he learned mortise and tenon timber framing from some good folks helping revive that lost craft. He also worked on several projects installing solar panels to power people’s homes and barns with renewable energy from the sun. Along the winding path, Wade has had the pleasure of teaming up with other great craftsmen to build tiny houses, a timber-framed turret, a straw bale retreat center, and several very unique homes. Before moving to Nashville, Wade worked as the Farm Manager at Camp McDowell Farm School, where he helped build out the farm’s infrastructure and did his best to keep all the goat kids and piglets fenced in.
Then Wade met his now wife Kate, who lived in Nashville. Upon moving to Nashville to be with Kate, Wade established W. H. Austin Design Build and became a licensed general contractor, working to help more people build a home wherever their hearts lead.