OUR MISSION
TO FOSTER SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY & COMMUNITY THROUGH THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
KAREN RUGG
FOUNDER
OPERATIONS / MANAGEMENT
Karen’s interest in sustainability and the built environment started at an early age, leading her to get a Masters of City and Regional Planning, focusing on real estate development and sustainable affordable housing. She transitioned into the commercial construction industry shortly after graduation where she attained LEED Accreditation and was a founding member of her company’s Sustainability Committee. Since 2006, she has successfully managed over $150M in commercial and residential construction projects.
Over the years Karen has made time to pursue personal interests such as getting her Permaculture Design Certificate, working at several indoor and outdoor farms, attending the Earthship Building Academy and other natural building courses, and is now turning her focus to Hemp-Lime construction.
After moving to Central Oregon in 2018, she got her general contractor license and founded Perennial Building to pursue her goal of building sustainable homes.
ASHLEY BICE
CO-FOUNDER
LEAD BUILDER
The daughter of a builder in Iowa, Ashley found her love of construction at a very young age. By age 15 she was working as a builder for her dad’s construction company. While living in Iowa, Ashley had a series of house flips, completed an exterior remodel of a large 1920’s round-top milk barn and started her own general contracting business focused on residential and commercial remodels. While a GC in Iowa, she was certified to perform both plumbing and electrical work.
After several years of non-stop work, Ashley took some time to travel and made her way to Central Oregon. Once in Bend, Ashley spent 2 ½ years working for a local contractor and designer. There she was given a chance to focus on creative construction and high-end design that included custom cabinetry & aesthetic wood-working. Some of Ashley’s work, a large house remodel that involved significant structural changes and custom-built pieces throughout the home, was featured in Central Oregon Western Home Journal.
In 2019 she joined forces with Karen and the two have been building together ever since.