About Us

Tony Beurskens

Tony Beurskens is the son of a carpenter and has been involved in building of one sort or another all his life.

Tony has been employed in experiential education programs since 1996, often leading building projects with young people. In 2005, he apprenticed with House Alive!, where he officially began his journey with natural building. Since then, he has lead and assisted in natural building projects and workshops around North America.

Tony is now spearheading community and public school natural building projects in the greater Asheville region and is involved in Asheville Green Opportunities Corps, a pilot program designed to train individuals from low-income backgrounds for green jobs in Asheville, NC.

He has this to say about his work as a natural builder:

What could be better than building fun stuff with fun people? I am doing this, first, because I am rewarded, and secondly, because I get to share it with others. We can find what we are looking for in what we do: everything we need is around us, in building, and in life.

I have been interested in building and design since I was a young lad, from climbing around the rafters of my dad's job sites to considering the finer aesthetic points of how the newest Micheal Jordan poster would fit the decor in my room to taking woodworking classes in high school.

Natural building and sustainable design is where I am now. Using what is around us to provide for us, I am reminded of what we have in resources and knowledge under our feet and in our own backyards. We can use this wealth to build our homes and grow our food in our own community. It is fun and it is rewarding. I think it makes good sense!