Interview with Topher Thomas of Coram Houses in Durham, NC
11/30/23 • 72 min
Summary: Topher and I talk all about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and belonging.
Big Take Aways:
- The power of curiosity and how things fit.
- Topher’s journey from teacher to developer.
- How the built environment shapes our imagination.
- The importance of an abundance mindset.
________________________________________________________
About Topher:
Topher Thomas is a Haitian-American born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He started his career as a high school chemistry teacher there, and taught for 3 years, before moving to Wake Forest, NC to earn a Master's in Education and Counseling from Southeastern Seminary.
While in seminary, he continued his teaching career at the middle school level and was teaching English to Chinese students online. After completing his master's degree, he began teaching Theology and Servant Leadership at Trinity School of Durham.
While teaching there he founded an equitable housing company called Coram Houses, committed to creative housing solutions for vulnerable peoples, and creating capital access for underinvested groups.
He has a wife named Abbi, and 2 daughters, Violet and Margot.
He’s motivated by breaking cycles of injustice and continues to teach high school and advocates for restorative affordable housing development.
Connect with Topher: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
[Book] Poverty, by America
[Book] Brave New Home
[Book] Race for Profit
[Book] The Color of Law
[Book] Evicted
________________________________________________________
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com
Until next time, Thank you!
Summary: Topher and I talk all about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and belonging.
Big Take Aways:
- The power of curiosity and how things fit.
- Topher’s journey from teacher to developer.
- How the built environment shapes our imagination.
- The importance of an abundance mindset.
________________________________________________________
About Topher:
Topher Thomas is a Haitian-American born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He started his career as a high school chemistry teacher there, and taught for 3 years, before moving to Wake Forest, NC to earn a Master's in Education and Counseling from Southeastern Seminary.
While in seminary, he continued his teaching career at the middle school level and was teaching English to Chinese students online. After completing his master's degree, he began teaching Theology and Servant Leadership at Trinity School of Durham.
While teaching there he founded an equitable housing company called Coram Houses, committed to creative housing solutions for vulnerable peoples, and creating capital access for underinvested groups.
He has a wife named Abbi, and 2 daughters, Violet and Margot.
He’s motivated by breaking cycles of injustice and continues to teach high school and advocates for restorative affordable housing development.
Connect with Topher: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
[Book] Poverty, by America
[Book] Brave New Home
[Book] Race for Profit
[Book] The Color of Law
[Book] Evicted
________________________________________________________
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com
Until next time, Thank you!
Previous Episode
Interview with Brent Wadas of BotBuilt in Pinehurst, NC
Summary: Brent and I talk about all things robotics and the framing of houses!
Big Take Aways:
- How seeing a group of unhoused folks led to BotBuilt’s mission.
- What is computer vision (CV)?
- How BotBuilt is tackling cost, speed, and safety.
- The importance of and opportunities for collaboration in the AEC industry.
________________________________________________________
About Brent Wadas:
BotBuilt is revolutionizing the building process and solving the labor crisis in construction through flexible, precise robotic systems, proprietary hardware, and cutting-edge software. BotBuilt uses the latest technology to implement advanced motion planning with computer vision to build a more sustainable future for construction, forever changing the way the world builds with automation.
Brent Wadas and his wife Christy have two wonderful daughters. He founded BotBuilt along with his two business partners Barrett Ames and Colin Devine. Before becoming the CEO and Chairman of BotBuilt, Brent enjoyed success with his investment firm and a SaaS company creating automated processes for business CRM technology. In between civilian adventures, Brent was an officer in the US Army, deploying with Special Operations units alongside the bravest men and women from around the world. He currently resides in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and is dedicated to building the future of robotics and construction.
Connect with Brent: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
BotBuilt explainer video
Email Brent Wadas
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Wikipedia
Y Combinator
________________________________________________________
Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com
Until next time, Thank you!
Next Episode
Interview with Damon Hemmerdinger of ATCO Properties in Charlotte, NC
Summary: Damon and I talk all about adaptive reuse and Camp North End!
Big Take Aways:
- The importance of being present and noticing space.
- What is a guerilla wedding?
- The power of thinking about projects from a people-first perspective rather than building-first or finance-first.
________________________________________________________
About Damon:
Damon Hemmerdinger is Co-President of ATCO, the owner and developer of Camp North End. He first visited this property in early 2014, and closed on the purchase in late 2016.
Camp was “his idea,” and he supports the project team in all aspects of the work to develop the project.
In addition, Damon leads ATCO’s investment and development business, oversees its finance and accounting function, and manages its strategic and corporate affairs.
In addition to its work in Charlotte, ATCO is actively developing four projects in Austin TX and operates a portfolio of office and residential property in New York City.
He graduated from Williams College and Yale Law School. He, his wife, and their two daughters live in the Forest Hills Gardens neighborhood of Queens, NY.
Connect with Damon: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
Catfiddle Street - Charleston, SC
[BOOK] Learning from Bryant Park
[BOOK] The Power of Moments
NYAD on Netflix
________________________________________________________
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my
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