We are a team of like minded builders with decades of experience in the construction industry. Our project managers are unique in that having worked our way up through the trades have given us an innate understanding of feasibility, constructibility and the ability to solve problems in real time. You could say we know a lot because we’ve seen a lot.
Our team is comprised of genuinely gifted minds with decades of experience in the construction industry.
Michael has over 22 years of experience in high-end, residential design-build and experiential, hospitality concepts. Michael began his career at a young age growing up around the most talented carpenters and builders in Austin. While attending The University of Texas at Austin his class and work schedule alternated between High End custom home interiors and classes in Urban and Regional Planning. He has spent the last 13 years, in particular, developing numerous hospitality, retail and residential projects with a focus on environments that are truly unique. His development experience coupled with a deep appreciation to detail and process create truly thoughtful projects through close collaboration with the clients and design team.
He is a Founding Partner of System D Architecture, Item 5 and Interni Austin.
Taylor has taken a circuitious route to arrive as Project Manager with Item 5 garnering an analytical mindset and strong problem solving skills along the way. Having earned a PhD in Sports Biomechanics, he worked with elite athletes to improve athletic performance and prevent injury - an experience which has translated well to a knack for modern building science principles. While living and working as a Frame-to-Finish Carpenter in Massachusetts, he fell in love with the colonial architecture and detailed craftmanship of historical homes in New England. A move to Austin, Texas afforded him the opportunity to work as an Estimator for a luxury custom home builder currating accurate construction budgets for projects up to $10M. As a Project Manager and Phius Certified Passive Home Builder, he has a specialized skillset and particular interest in passive building techniques that optimize the energy efficiency of homes through thoughtful design and construction of the building envelope. In his free time, Taylor enjoys playing ice hockey and sand volleyball, skiing, listening to live music, and barbeque smoking.
Chris has 15 years of experience in the construction industry on projects ranging from single family resident all the way to the tallest building in Austin. He began his career in structural engineering, designing projects of up to $30M, which were constructed of wood, CMU, cold-formed steel, and hot-rolled steel. From there he transitioned to the construction side of things working for Habitat for Humanity, Austin TX. Having volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since he was a teenager, managing 2 site managers, 3 AmeriCorps members, and up to 120 volunteers per day, to construct 38 single family felt very natural. When he outgrew that role he transitioned to Foursquare Builders, directing construction of a variety of high end residential and commercial projects ranging from $300k to $5.6M. Starting Item 5 has been the natural destination of his experience coupling the most talented people, with the most efficient processes. He’s inspired by the intellect and dedication to the client of his current team.
Biography coming soon!
As a Sr. Accountant with over 18 years In the Accounting, Operations and Human Resources fields; Monica brings strong attention to detail; specializing in process and NOI improvement. Monica has successfully managed financials for companies ranging from 2M – 15M in annual revenue. She has assisted and managed numerous company start-ups and is proud to be part of Item 5's present and future.
Her Daily motivational quote is “Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”
Originally from Uvalde, Texas she has lived in Austin since 2014. In her free time, you can find Monica spending time with her son and family. As an avid pianist, Monica has used her talents to serve in the ministry of praise and worship music. She attends her local community church and believes in paying it forward by helping those in need. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and adrenaline-rush excursions.
Her Daily motivational quote is “Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”
Originally from Uvalde, Texas she has lived in Austin since 2014. In her free time, you can find Monica spending time with her son and family. As an avid pianist, Monica has used her talents to serve in the ministry of praise and worship music. She attends her local community church and believes in paying it forward by helping those in need. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and adrenaline-rush excursions.
