By Jon Tharp, Broker · October 10, 2026
At a Glance
A free, hands-on builder workshop takes place Oct. 16 through 18 in Leicester, and Western North Carolina builders are invited. Steffi Rausch, founder of The Hobb and North Carolina distributor for Wonderful Structures, is bringing this type of building to the region. Rausch describes it as a way of thinking about construction that can work with the landscape rather than against it, and pointed to experiencing two wildfires in four years as part of the reason.
What if a house could be built to become part of the landscape instead of simply sitting on top of it? That's the idea behind a free, hands-on builder workshop held in Leicester Oct. 16 through 18.
Builders across Western North Carolina are invited to attend. Steffi Rausch, founder of The Hobb and the North Carolina distributor for Wonderful Structures, is bringing this type of building to the region.
What does it mean to build into the landscape?
Rausch described the goal as introducing North Carolina builders to "a completely different way of thinking about construction," one that "can work with the landscape rather than against it."
Why bring this type of building to Western NC?
"I've experienced two wildfires in four years, so building more resiliently in ways that blend more harmoniously with nature and use less energy or waste is why I have chosen to bring this type of building to the region," Rausch said.
Who should attend the Leicester workshop?
The workshop is a hands-on event for builders, and there's no charge to attend.
The original report from The Mountaineer is available here: https://www.themountaineer.com/life/a-new-way-to-build-into-the-landscape-wnc-builders-invited-to-hands-on-earth/article_4b15301e-f164-4715-8661-32013cb08aa7.html
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the builder workshop in Leicester?
The hands-on builder workshop runs Oct. 16 through 18 in Leicester.
How much does the Leicester builder workshop cost?
The workshop is free for builders to attend.
Who is bringing this type of building to the region?
Steffi Rausch, founder of The Hobb and the North Carolina distributor for Wonderful Structures, is bringing this type of building to the region.
About the Author
Jon Tharp is a licensed NC real estate broker with Keller Williams. He's helped buyers and sellers across Western North Carolina for over 10 years, specializing in mountain homes, land, and short-term rental investments, with offices throughout WNC covering all mountainous areas. If something in this post has you thinking about a move, he's easy to reach — (828) 347-9055 or smokymountainhomes4sale.com or Jon@jontharphomes.com.
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