The journey of my artisan concrete work has become a defining part of Cypress, my business specializing in custom homes, remodeling, fine woodworking, and, for the past decade, artisan concrete.

As a fourth-generation woodworker and builder, I have spent my entire adult life working in the trades. Although I originally dreamed of attending art school, my path began in custom homebuilding and remodeling. Over time, I discovered that I could channel that same creative impulse through finish carpentry, cabinetmaking, and the details that make a space truly unique.

My introduction to artisan concrete came nearly ten years ago through a training session at Yestermorrow. That experience opened the door to an entirely new medium and gave me the opportunity to combine my background in building and woodworking with a more sculptural and artistic approach. I began by creating custom concrete countertops for our cabinetry projects, gradually pushing the material further and exploring what was possible.

As my interest and expertise grew, I traveled throughout the United States—including Chicago, Orlando, Syracuse, Asheville, Wichita, and Napa—to study with leading artisans, manufacturers, and vendors within this highly specialized field. These experiences, combined with extensive product research and years of hands-on experimentation, have allowed us to continually refine our techniques and develop work that balances artistic expression with exceptional quality, performance, and durability.

In recent years, our artisan concrete work has expanded well beyond countertops to include:

• Custom Sinks and Bathtubs: We create highly detailed molds, including ergonomic interior forms shaped specifically around our clients' bodies. The result is a functional piece that is both sculptural and deeply personal, designed to provide a comfortable and unique experience.

• Unique Cabinetry and Fireplace Surrounds: We have developed complex concrete kitchen cabinetry with wood interiors, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that bring together the warmth of wood and the permanence of concrete. Our fireplace work incorporates custom concrete panels, hearths, and surrounds designed specifically for each space.

• Artisan Objects: We also create a collection of smaller-scale custom pieces, including cups, vases, bowls, and candle holders, allowing us to explore the material in a more intimate and sculptural way.

I have also experimented with wall art and architectural pieces that bring together distinctive pieces of wood, concrete, and metal. These explorations reflect what I enjoy most about the work: discovering unexpected relationships between materials and finding new ways to transform functional elements into works of art.

At Cypress, we take pride in curating these highly personal details for our clients, often working closely with architects and designers to bring their ideas to life. Our artisan concrete work is an extension of our broader approach to building—a combination of generations of craftsmanship, material knowledge, experimentation, and an artist's eye.

I am proud to bring that perspective to every project we undertake, creating work that is not only beautifully crafted, but distinctly personal and built to endure.

- Alex