Posted by Luke Davies
on July 07, 2025
For as long as I can remember, my hands have been drawn to creation. As a builder in Tasmania, I've spent 23 years in the field, turning drawings into beautiful homes and transforming raw materials into functional, lasting structures. I've built over $100 million worth of custom home projects and founded six companies in the industry, including the award-winning Davies Construction, with over 50 industry awards for excellence.
Over time, however, I've come to realise something profound: the 'art of building' isn't confined to timber and concrete. It's a mindset, a systematic approach, a way of looking at everything in life.
You see, anything truly worthwhile–whether it’s your dream home, a thriving business, vibrant health, strong habits, or deep, meaningful relationships – doesn't just happen. Health, wealth, and well-being aren't things you simply stumble upon; they need to be built. They require intentional design, consistent effort, and a systematic approach, much like constructing a quality building. This core belief, deeply rooted in my carpenter's mindset and years of systemised thinking in business, forms the very foundation of this blog:
The Art of Building.
Here, I'm going to share how we can apply the principles of building – the planning, the foundations, the consistent effort, the problem-solving, the detailed craftsmanship – to designing a more fulfilling and better quality life. We'll explore a wide variety of topics, including:
Home Building & Architecture: This is my professional passion, where I'll share insights into quality construction, smart design, and creating healthy living spaces. My experience as a qualified carpenter/joiner and a certified Passivhaus tradesperson fuels my focus on high-quality, unique, and healthy dream homes.
Outdoor Adventures & Travel: Expect tales from the road, the mountains, and remote places, and the lessons they teach us about resilience, preparation, and perspective. This bond with the outdoors was deepened by my scouting days.
Health & Well-being: We'll delve into how to build robust physical and mental health, treating your body and mind like the most important structure you'll ever inhabit. This understanding comes from my own powerful realisation that if you don't have your health, you can't do anything else.
Business & Entrepreneurship: I'll share strategies for constructing a thriving business, from foundational principles like those in our Future Builder Co. Basecamp program, to navigating growth and managing teams. My own entrepreneurial spirit was forged living on dairy farms in remote areas with very little money, often struggling to afford the basics, where I learned resilience and problem-solving.
Personal Development & Habits: Discover the blueprints for crafting daily routines and mindsets that lead to consistent progress and personal mastery, inspired by stumbling onto a business coach who introduced me to personal development, audiobooks, and the power of knowledge.
Relationships: Learn how to build stronger connections with family, friends, and colleagues, nurturing the human infrastructure of your life.
And More: Whatever sparks curiosity, leads to growth, or offers a new angle on "building" a better life.
My journey to this point has been anything but conventional. For years, I've been a sponge for knowledge, devouring over 400 audiobooks and countless courses. My businesses, travels, and life experiences have provided a constant stream of invaluable input. Now, with "The Art of Building", this blog is my chance for knowledge output. It's an opportunity to share my stories and experiences, offer insights that might provide you with a shortcut, or simply make you feel like you're not alone in your own building journey.
This is a space born out of a profound passion and enthusiasm, which, I've learned, are powerful engines for growth and unexpected avenues of interest. If you had told me even a few years ago that I'd be writing a blog, I wouldn't have believed you. I hated English at school and struggled profoundly with writing and reading. But discovering a purpose, connecting with something I genuinely love to learn and share, has transformed that. Now, I love to write, and I love to learn. As an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and host of The Art of Building, I'm here to share, teach, and guide, believing that you can't just tell people you have to lead by example and be the change you want to see in the world.
My path began as a young boy in Tasmania, filled with curiosity and drive, living in 12 different houses by the age of 14. I learned the nuances of timber, how to read the grain, and developed a deep love for quality in a furniture-making TAFE course. The catalyst for starting my first business – Davies Design & Construction – came after a motorbike accident recovery gave me time to pursue my builder's license, right as The Global Financial Crisis hit in 2009. That led to immense challenges, including struggling with managing cash flow to the point of selling my dream home, a house I had built where I got married and had our first child. I also battled dyslexia, which made office work daunting. Yet, these challenges reminded me that how we navigate them defines us, and I even discovered dyslexia was an advantage because it allowed me to see things in a way other people couldn't.
My business grew, and recognition came with awards for the quality of work we built. My path was further shaped by the understanding that homes should be sanctuaries, and by alarming statistics: The Australian construction and demolition industry accounts for 44% of all waste, and globally, the construction sector is responsible for 39% of all human CO2 emissions. This led me to realise the immense possibilities our industry has to be a large percentage of the solutions for the future. My purpose evolved from just building quality to creating healthier people and a healthier planet through the spaces we build – a promise I made as a builder, a husband, and a father to Janenna, Bella, and Roy. I now recognise that the more we align ourselves with nature, the happier we are.
So, if you're ready to pick up your metaphorical tools and start designing, constructing, or simply refining your own version of a fulfilling life, stick around. Let's build better, live better, and ensure a healthier future for all. I can see a future where every home is making the world healthier and every person recognises their footprint on this planet. Remember, our lives are the sum of our choices, so let's make better choices.
Let's be Future Builders.
