Our Story
We grew up in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood, surrounded by tree-lined streets, modest old houses, and a culture of showing up for each other. We were born into a house that when we were young became part of REACH Community Development. Our mom and dad were part of REACH's founding circle, rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home.
That early experience shaped us. It taught us that housing isn’t just shelter—it’s legacy, equity, and care. It’s where stories are passed down and where futures begin.
​​Simon took this understanding to the job site. He learned under Nick Weitzer, a company known for its exceptional artistry, functionality, and craftsmanship, and later served as Superintendent at Orange Splot LLC, where he led co-housing and high-performance infill projects that married innovation and green building with the importance of community connection. Rion studied Sustainable Systems Management and earned a Master’s in Economic Development, then chose to bring that knowledge back home—applying it not in boardrooms or distant cities, but on the ground in the neighborhoods that raised us.
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We founded Born and Raised Construction in 2016 as a design-build firm to carry forward both our family’s legacy and Portland’s tradition of craft. What started with ADUs and basement remodels has grown into house-lifts, custom homebuilding, whole-house renovations and net zero new construction. Through it all, we’ve remained a small and steady team: builders, designers, and project managers committed to thoughtful process and enduring work that uplifts Portland and the residents who call this city home.
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Our approach is rooted in the past but made for this moment—preserving the integrity of Portland’s historic homes while adapting them to a future that demands sustainability, accessibility, and resilience. Along the way, we’ve partnered with mission-driven organizations to build what our city truly needs: sleeping pods for Milwaukie’s Veterans Village, consulting on Kenton Women’s Village with Communitecture, helping reimagine the Buckman Elementary playground, and supporting the Portland Indigenous Marketplace in reclaiming space for economic and cultural self-determination. We also partnered with Proud Ground and Orange Splot LLC to build the first net-zero, permanently affordable homeownership project funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund—a model for what equitable, climate-forward housing can look like.
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Born and Raised is more than our name—it’s our origin, our ethic, and our offering. We build for Portland, because this is—and has always been—home.