Shelter Design and Construction emphasizes energy efficiency, sustainability, durability, waste reduction and recycling. Using non-toxic building materials is a priority. We encourage the homeowner's involvement and input in the process of making educated choices about design development and materials selection. We are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, the local, state, and national Home Builder's Association, the Austin Green Building Program since 1999, the Sustainable Building Coalition ("Design/Build/Live"), and the Better Business Bureau. We are licensed with the Texas Residential Construction Commission.

Shelter Design and Construction provides assistance in the design and project development process, and is accomplished in all phases of residential construction. In addition to project design, remodeling, additions, and custom homes, our areas of expertise include kitchen and bathroom remodels, screened porches and decks, attic and garage conversions, hardwood floor installation, and the renovation of historical homes. Although most of our work is in Austin, we also do projects in surrounding communities. We supply references and give free estimates.

Robert Zirkel, president of Shelter Design & Construction, Inc., has over twenty-five years of construction contracting experience. He has been a proponent of green building since the early 1990's. His "hands-on" building experience includes masonry, foundations, framing, roofing, adobe, and trim carpentry. He has built energy efficient homes with several different construction methods. His experience working with chemically sensitive individuals enhanced his interest in the use of non-toxic building materials. Robert has written articles about green building for Natural Home Magazine, and co-authored the book Organic Dairy Farming under the auspices of Organic Valley Cooperative in Wisconsin. Robert has also given talks about green remodeling at The Renewable Energy Roundup in Fredericksburg, and at the Sustainable Building Coalition in Austin.

Other members of the Shelter Design and Construction staff include Shannon McVey, Adam Lucas, James Nicola and Andrew Phillips. Shannon is chief of operations and our designer. Adam is our financial officer and estimator. James is the shop supervisor and trim foreman, and Andrew is our flooring foreman and lead trim carpenter.