About NATURAL BUILD
At Natural Build we have a passion for high end bespoke building with a strong interest in sustainable building outcomes and a customer centred experience. We love to see high quality buildings produced in partnership with our clients, architects and trades to ensure that the finished result is exactly what was envisioned.
Our entire team look through an environmental lens when suggesting products and delivering projects, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce waste, source quality renewable materials and partner with other trades and businesses with a similar philosophy.
We are a small, tight knit company with ties beyond just ‘work’. We have a long standing team of experienced professionals who work together to achieve great outcomes for the clients.
Natural Build operates largely in Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs. Having recently completed projects in Essendon, Clifton Hill, Ivanhoe, Northcote, Thornbury, Coburg, Reservoir and more.
OUR CORE VALUES:
Driven
Integrity
THOROUGH
ETHICAL
OUR VISION:
Natural Build started from our vision to deliver beautiful homes and create a fun, sustainable and welcoming working environment. We pride ourselves on an ability to cultivate excellent relationships with clients and believe that fostering these connections over the course of a build are paramount to the overall success of a project.
We founded NATURAL BUILD over 10 years ago when realised two heads are better than one. We have a very strong bond formed over countless years, conversations, arguments, tears and laughs.
“We are different, and that’s what makes us strong.”
Green Living accredited.
We are passionate about sustainability in our profession and we want to lead the way when it comes to best practices in sustainable building. Our Master Builders Victoria green living accreditation gives us the necessary tools and information to design and construct energy efficient structures. We strive not only to meet the minimum standards but set a new benchmark in the housing sector for energy innovation. We provide informative advice to our clients about sustainable solutions in the design and construction.
Meet the team
Tom Baker-Gabb - DirectoR
I have a passion for high end architecture builds with an eye for details and a strong interest sustainable construction. I grew up in St Andrews, in the Yarra Valley. I come from a family of ecologists with both parents Professors of Ornithology, my mother recently awarded an OAM for services to conservation. This upbringing has set the scene for my strong skills and interest in the environment and best practice sustainability in my work.
I’m an adventurer at heart and love MTB, snow-boarding, diving as well as embarking on family camping adventures. I always have a building project on the go at home, testing and refining my creative building skills.
Nige and I share a passion for good food and wine, and we will often find ourselves discussing what bottle of red we are going to open on a Friday night watching the football.
I love being a small business owner and value the opportunities I have to create great relationships and partnerships with clients, architects and other trades people who are passionate about delivering exceptional outcomes.
I have been passionate about building and fine details my entire life. I had a real passion for technical design and completed 3 of a 4 year Bachelor of Industrial Design degree at Swinburne University (still paying off the HECS on that one). I found myself always drawn to the hands-on part of the field so took a gap year from study and began working with an experience carpenter Simon Edward who was renovating my parent’s home at the time.
From the onset I knew this was the right path. Together we hand built multiple houses over a five-year period. All aspects of the projects, from framing and finishing, timber windows and doors to the fine details of cabinetry were all done in-house. We built houses using a set of skills that are in today’s day and age becoming lost. There was a sense of pride and true craftsmanship to the way we built, I found that the concept of building came naturally to me and my hunger to learn and hone my skills has shaped my vision and the creative direction of Natural Build.
As Simon was looking to hang up the hammer and his desire to find the next big job was dwindling my passion for the trade was only just beginning. I was chatting to a mate Nige at the time and asked if he had any work and soon the two of us were working together laying down the foundations of what is now a successful, driven, and passionate building company.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Certificate III in Carpentry
• Certificate IV Building and Construction
• Domestic Builder – Unlimited
Nigel Palise - Director
I have been around timber and power tools since I was very young. My Dad worked in the industry running his own business and built our home, usually with me in the way. My Mother is a bookkeeper, which gave me early insight into managing funds and cashflow. I learned many business principles I apply today from them.
It was an easy decision to work in the building industry, and when I was 16, I started my pre apprenticeship. I was awarded apprentice of the year two years in a row, and it was clear to me that this was my calling. I found many concepts came to me naturally and I have a huge hunger for learning techniques and best practice building principles. I have heavily involved in the building industry for 23 years and I am still learning every day.
I was very independent as a young fully qualified carpenter, and when I lost my job because my employer went broke, I grabbed one of the apprentices and off I went finding work wherever I could get it. I have been self-employed ever since.
I love building, but I absolutely love watching my team build. I love educating, talking shop, watching my team grow as people, using the systems and methods Tom and I have developed and honed over the years. I love it when a build is holistically run well, from administration through to handover. When my clients are satisfied, I am happy.
Me as a person, I love music, both playing and listening, cars and motorsport, all things wine, history, and architecture. I am a very passionate person, methodical and I throw myself at whatever I am doing. I care deeply about my family and friends; I’ll do anything to help anyone that asks.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Certificate III in Carpentry
• Registered Domestic Builder
- Limited Carpentry
• Certificate IV Building and Construction
• Domestic Builder – Unlimited
Piers
Site Foreman
Tim
Site Foreman
Peter
Carpenter
Ben
Carpenter
Nick
Apprentice carpenter
Allana Sharman
Marketing Director
Allana is a consultant who is also Natural Build’s Marketing Director. Allana has completed an MBA and works a range of across industries including sport, government and construction. She is our branding and business strategy guru who keeps the guys in line to ensure the company maintains a great image and strives for outstanding results.
Cassie Gilbert
Safety & Wellbeing Consultant
Cassie is a specialist emergency nurse who assists us with our safety and wellbeing matters. A registered nurse of over 15 years, Cassie manages the busy Emergency Department at the Northern Hospital and has a wealth of knowledge of emergency principles and mental health.
Cassie consults to ensure that Natural Build are providing a safe, healthy and productive work environment at all times.
Hayley Saretta
Branding and Digital Content Manager
Hayley specialises in helping small business owners effectively connect with potential clients that are looking for their unique business offerings.
Hayley holds an Honours degree in communication design from Swinburne University and has almost 20 years of experience in branding, websites, marketing & advertising as well as 13 years as a small business owner herself.
statement of sustainability
Natural Build is committed to promoting sustainable practices and principles in all aspects of work. We recognise the importance of preserving our natural resources and minimising our impact on the environment, whilst also meeting the needs of clients.
To this end, Natural Build strives to incorporate sustainability considerations into every project we undertake. Some practical examples of how Natural Build is committed to the promotion and furthering of sustainability includes:
Incorporating green and low-impact environmentally sustainable development techniques, where possible.
Seeking procurement from sustainable suppliers, that share an environmentally conscious mindset.
Recommending products that minimise energy use and emissions.
Promoting the use of environmentally friendly materials and construction techniques.
Waste separation, recycling and repurposing of materials.
Encouraging sustainable behaviour is a key consideration for the materials & suppliers recommended by Natural Build. Through these practices, we believe that our projects can serve as models for sustainable building and stewardship of our natural resources.
Book a phone consult
Complete the form to arrange a 15 minute chat with one of our directors to discuss your project and if we are a good fit to bring it to life.
We endeavour to get in touch within 48 hours.