Why We Started Willis Construction
Moving into 2025 with a vision
Written By Alex Willis
Walking through the heart of any downtown has become one of my favorite past times. My gaze often drifts upward, marveling at towering buildings crafted from brick, concrete, and limestone—remnants of an old-world whose builders are often shrouded in mystery. For much of my life, these architectural marvels blended into the background of modernity, unnoticed. But my journey into masonry changed that.
It all began with a fascination for the ancient construction techniques of the Ancestral Puebloans in the American Southwest. I have taken many trips to see the cliff dwellings, towers, kivas and great houses built masterfully within the canyons and cliffs. Their buildings, some nearly 800 years old, boast walls up to three feet thick and are perched on seemingly impossible cliff edges. Through weather and erosion many of these places still stand as though their occupants just vacated them. These structures, designed to endure, sparked a reverence in me for the art and ingenuity of building.
Closer to home, the Weld County Courthouse in Greeley deepened my appreciation for this art. Made entirely of limestone blocks, the courthouse is almost completely fireproof, save for some wood trim and furniture inside. The building, construction in 1917, featured a “pneumatic clock system” that was so sophisticated that renovators in the 70s were unable to restore its functionality. The intricate columns and ornamentation reflect not just technical skill but a profound respect for their makers craft. Towering pillars, carved blocks and cement ornamentation–clearly this was a project inspired and built to perfection. I am inspired by the diligence its builders took in ensuring this court house would survive fire, wind, snow and water. The foundation of this building (going down at least another level below the basement level), has reportedly not cracked and retained is original strength. I have seem modern concrete projects and jobs where it started to degrade and crack after just one season. This is a case of not-cutting corners.
One of the most awe-inspiring modern restoration projects has been the recent renovation of Notre Dame in Paris. After the devastating fire in 2019, a team of master artisans and engineers dedicated five years to restoring the cathedral’s iconic roof and spire. Their work combined ancient techniques with modern technology. Carpenters painstakingly rebuilt the intricate roof beams, often referred to as “the forest,” using traditional methods that mirrored the original craftsmanship. This was only made possible because of a mapping project which took place before the fire. Engineers used 3D scanning technology to “scan” the entire web of roof-beams down to fractions of an inch of every square inch of the structure. The result is breathtaking—a living monument to human ingenuity and dedication. The builders were so inspired by this project, that they wept tears of joy during interviews knowing this would be the greatest job they would ever be on.
This spirit of creating with care and vision was my inspiration when I founded Willis Construction in January 2024. With just a car and a handful of tools, I set out on a mission to honor the timeless craftsmanship of past civilizations while embracing the possibilities of the technology now and into the future. Since then, we’ve worked on more than a dozen jobs and acquired a new truck and lawn-care equipment. Our vision is ambitious: to build stone and brick structures that inspire generations and endure for a thousand years or more, combining cutting-edge construction techniques with sustainable practices. We want to bring back the legacy of longevity in construction that our ancestors knew so well.
At Willis Construction, we’re not just focused on building for today but for the next ten generations. That’s why we’re committed to re-purposing materials and reducing waste. Construction waste fills our landfills at an alarming rate, and by finding innovative ways to reuse materials, we can help lower costs and make construction more accessible for everyone. It’s not just about sustainability; it’s about responsibility—building a future where quality and longevity take precedence over shortcuts and dispose-ability. We are committed to opening a material yard within the next 3-5 years in order to capture as much usable materials as possible which would end up in the landfill. SO much material gets needlessly dumped and trashed during demo. Contractors are always trying to earn as much profit as possible, which is why they often destroy and trash existing structure before building anew. I decided from day 1, we would strive to reuse all possible usable materials, resell at very low prices, or recycle as much as possible. We were contracted in March of 2024 to rebuild a fence, replacing rotten posts. Instead of trashing them, I cut and sanded them and repurposed into greenhouse garden boxes were we grew at least a hundred ponds of fresh produce! The cedar posts were at least 20 years old when we removed them and now with a fresh coat of stain, they will last at least another decade.
When I learned I was going to become a father, this mission took on even greater meaning. I want to create a world where my son can find peace and inspiration in the spaces we leave behind. I want him to see the projects we build and be inspired and proud of the country he lives in. That’s why 10% of all profits from Willis Construction are dedicated to restoring and creating spaces—gardens, parks, and timeless buildings—that will inspire awe and connection for decades to come.
Old-world architecture—brick buildings, limestone courthouses, and historic churches—holds the identity of our cities together. These structures provide a sense of place, grounding us in history and beauty. Unfortunately, much of modern architecture has become bland and purely functional, often neglecting the inspiration and craftsmanship that once defined our skylines. At Willis Construction, we believe it’s time to dream again, to build places of beauty and meaning that stand the test of time.
Building a Legacy Together
At Willis Construction, we aim to rekindle the passion and creativity that have shaped the world’s most awe-inspiring structures. Architecture is not just about practicality; it’s about creating spaces that inspire. Together, we can revive the timeless values of craftsmanship and sustainability. Every brick we lay, every stone we set, and every structure we restore is a step toward building a future of lasting beauty. Let’s create something extraordinary—for ourselves, for our communities, and for generations yet to come.
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