Luke Davies exemplifies the values of innovation, sustainability, and reliability, making him a standout ambassador for Tasmania's construction industry and the WoodSolutions timber framing campaign.
His commitment to sustainable building practices and timber framing, coupled with his humility and entrepreneurial drive, positions him as a leader not just in creating sustainable homes but also in inspiring a more renewable future for the industry nationwide.
The Butterfly Effect Studio
WoodSolutions timber framing Campaign Manager, Chris Briggs, met Luke at the 2024 Master Builders National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards in Hobart where Luke’s company, Davies Construction , took home the WoodSolutions National Sustainability Residential Building Award. Luke and the Davies Construction team also received the Energy Efficiency award & Residential Builder of the year award at Tasmanian Master Builders event in the same year.
The award-winning project, the Butterfly Effect Studio , sets a new benchmark for sustainable design with its compact, energy-efficient features. The building incorporates Trombe walls and high thermal mass to effectively generate, store, and manage heat, while its solar power system produces excess energy returned to the grid. Every aspect of the project—from systems and materials to finishes—was carefully chosen for durability, low maintenance, and environmental responsibility. Notably, the studio features sustainably sourced, certified structural pine, grown and milled in Tasmania, making it a true product of local innovation and craftsmanship.
“The Butterfly Effect Studio is made of Tasmania,” said Chris Briggs.
Davies Construction has embraced planet-focused building practices by incorporating Passivhaus design principles for the first time in their award-winning studio. This innovative project not only sets a new standard for sustainable construction but also serves as a valuable learning platform for future developments. The studio reflects Luke and his team's unwavering commitment to advancing environmentally responsible design and construction practices.
The Butterfly Effect Studio
Images by: Aaron Jones
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The story behind Davies Construction: Luke’s journey to success
At the heart of Davies Construction is Luke, a humble 38-year-old family man whose journey to becoming an award-winning builder started on a dairy farm in Devonport, Tasmania. With a natural talent for working with his hands, Luke’s career began in a furniture-making apprenticeship, where he discovered his passion for timber—the smell, texture, and its sustainable potential.
In 2009, Luke set out to build his dream in the construction industry, only to face the harsh reality that 90% of building companies fail within their first five years. Despite earning industry accolades as early as 2012, his company faced challenges, prompting Luke to seek guidance. He enlisted a coach to redefine his business and personal goals, uncovering the profound connection between thoughtfully designed living spaces and human wellbeing.
Today, Luke’s vision shapes every Davies Construction project. His team prioritises creating homes that reflect their clients’ unique lifestyles, focusing on wellness, creativity, and sustainability. By designing spaces that not only meet functional needs but also nurture personal growth and grounded living, Luke has redefined what it means to build not just houses, but homes.
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Luke receiving Residental Builder of the year award at Tasmanian MBA Awards | Image
Luke recieving Energy Efficency award at Tasmanian MBA Awards |
Growing a sustainable and diversified business
Davies Construction has grown into a thriving, diversified business group. Alongside the award-winning building company, the group includes Align Architecture , a design and architecture firm, as well as an excavation business—each driven by a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Luke’s passion for fostering a sustainable future extends beyond his businesses. As a mentor and coach with Future Builder Co, he empowers the next generation of builders through collaboration and education. Future Builder Co is an online platform offering a comprehensive library of resources, short instructional videos, and a purpose-driven community known as The Future Builder Society. Together, these initiatives reflect Luke’s dedication to inspiring positive change in the building industry while equipping others with the tools to create a greener, more sustainable future.
Designing a renewable future and planting trees
Align Architecture, the design arm of Luke Davies' business group, is making news with its ambitious pledge to plant one million trees. Through a tree-planting charity sponsorship program, the company has already planted an impressive 20,000 trees, translating its environmental commitment into measurable action.
Guided by a purpose-driven mission, Align Architecture is vocal about the urgent need for change: “At Align, we appreciate that all life on earth is under threat of extinction. We acknowledge that the construction industry is one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and the warming of our planet. Our reason for being is to do something about it.”
By combining sustainable design practices with tangible environmental initiatives, Align Architecture exemplifies its mission to mitigate the environmental impact of construction while fostering a healthier planet for future generations.
Building a sustainable future
Luke Davies has emerged as a leader in sustainable building, inspiring his generation and beyond with a forward-thinking approach that prioritises timber framing as a cornerstone of environmentally responsible construction. His practical focus on maximising timber content while minimising reliance on emissions-intensive materials is not just a strategy—it's a philosophy embraced by his entire team.
Under Luke’s leadership, Davies Construction has earned a respected reputation for its design-and-construct business model, which seamlessly integrates architectural vision with construction expertise. This approach enables the company to deliver high-performance homes valued between $500,000 and $5 million, where quality design, meticulous finishes, and enduring low-maintenance performance take center stage.
Luke’s innovative mindset and unwavering commitment to sustainable timber design continue to set a benchmark for excellence in the construction industry, solidifying Davies Construction as a trusted name in high-performance homebuilding.
Tasmania’s residential construction industry has long embraced timber, but Luke Davies is at the forefront of advancing smarter timber solutions that benefit both construction and the environment. Over the past two decades, his work has contributed to the transition from traditional hardwood framing to softwood, and he continues to champion innovative approaches like floor and roof cassette systems.
Through close collaboration with industry partners, Davies is driving the development of new timber products that not only enhance the performance of homes but also play a critical role in mitigating climate change.
At the core of Davies Construction projects is a commitment to sustainability, utilising sustainably sourced plantation timber framing. This renewable resource is harvested, replanted, and regrown, exemplifying wood as The Ultimate Renewable™ resource. For an average family home, the approximately 14 cubic meters of timber framing required is regrown within just 150 seconds in Australia's plantation estate. Additionally, this timber locks away carbon, storing about half its dry weight in the process, making it a powerful tool to address our changing climate.
By integrating these advanced timber solutions, Luke Davies and his team are not just building homes—they're building a sustainable future.
Luke's commitment to sustainability is deeply woven into both his personal values and his business philosophy, driving the success of his companies. Reflecting on his approach, Luke explains:
"A conscious house design creates harmony between the environment, the living spaces, and the people who inhabit them."
“The advantages of sustainable homes are twofold: they elevate your lifestyle by offering a healthier, thoughtfully designed living space, and they safeguard the environment by integrating sustainable practices at every stage—from the initial design and construction to the lifetime of the home."
This ethos underpins the company's award-winning work, showcasing the transformative potential of environmentally responsible building practices.
Chris adds, "Luke embodies the future of our building industry, one that prioritises sustainability and reduces its environmental impact.
Chris continued, “His approach contributes to the long-term success of our Australian way of life by designing and constructing projects with a low carbon footprint.”
Butterfly Effect Studio During Construction
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A perfect collaboration
Luke’s approach to building is deeply aligned with the values of the WoodSolutions timber framing campaign, which advocates for sustainable timber framing in housing. While timber has long been a trusted material for its strength, reliability, and flexibility, Luke recognises that using timber in construction not only enhances the quality of a building but also contributes to a positive environmental legacy.
Chris says, “Luke’s influence is evident in both the way a project is built and how it performs over time, leaving a lasting, positive legacy for the Tasmanian community."
His passion for incorporating timber into his projects is evident in his commitment to sustainable construction. Luke will be integrating the tools and resources from WoodSolutions into his own business and sharing his knowledge through his wider platform.
“We want our clients to know that their homes have been built with renewable building materials like timber framing,” says Luke.
He continued, “Davies Construction is committed to helping our clients create the home they’ve always dreamed of – on time and within budget. Every step of the process is purposeful and focused on building your future sustainably.”
Luke and Janenne Davies
Image by: Anjie Blair
Tasmania is fortunate to have a successful, civic-minded business owner like Luke, whose dedication to both his craft and his community is evident. Luke is proud to be a champion of timber framing and actively promotes its benefits within his network and his building practices. Looking ahead, Luke will be sharing his valuable insights through the Future Builder Co, where he will continue to introduce younger builders to planet-focused building and design.