04/16/2026
Client review….”We worked with Cory and team to design and build our dream beach house, “Sandbox,” on Oak Island, NC.
After interviewing several local builders, and working with a previous architect, we decided to hire Cory and the TDB team because of the level of taste and quality of construction we had seen in previous projects.
On the design:
We had some hand drawings of what we wanted to build - a modern, peaceful, concrete house (on stilts!) constructed from a hurricane-proof material - Structured Concrete Insulated Panels (SCIP). Cory had never built a house from SCIP, but was up for the challenge. He worked diligently with our engineers and SCIP experts to understand the construction requirements. Cory helped us think through construction tradeoff choices, for instance optimizing the square footage, and cost/benefit of a skylight vs. a rooftop deck. The design was exactly what we had initially envisioned. And Cory quickly became an expert on SCIP.
On the build:
The TDB team was great. Robert and the rest of the construction team kept us up to date every step of the way. We live over 6 hours away and were not able to visit the job site often. The team would share progress pictures on a daily basis, often accompanied by detailed questions for feedback on our preferences. This was a new adventure for all of us, given the uniqueness of the construction. Cory and Robert stayed in constant communication with us to make sure that their day-to-day choices were in line with our preferences. When we needed to make adjustments or problem-solve, they came to us with options and their suggestions on how we should move forward.
The result:
Sandbox is the home we had envisioned. It is beautifully designed, very well constructed, and brings us joy every time we visit. We truly value the hard work the TDB team put into its design and build. They care deeply about building what their clients want, and they delivered for us.”
