By merging historic charm with modern efficiency, Corinth Homes stands the test of time
Built upon the shared vision of Co-Owners Michael Mack and David Van Rixel, Corinth Homes offers an exceptional home-building experience to clients throughout Wisconsin. Their journey began over 15 years ago, as Michael himself begins: “David and I met in real estate school back in 2010, and we’ve been doing business together ever since. In 2018, we founded Corinth Homes and started building custom residential houses from the ground up. Currently, we’re a mid-to-high-end custom home builder, with a range of properties in our portfolio.
“Around 60 percent of our work comes from custom homes, which we build alongside specific clients, to their unique specifications. The rest of the time, we’re working on spec homes, as well as the occasional basement renovation. 
“At the moment, we’re active across Southeast Wisconsin. Some of the cities we’re currently building in are Franklin, Menomonee Falls, and Waukesha. We’ve also done a lot of work in areas across Waukesha County.”
In the face of an ongoing housing shortage, and extreme weather events occurring across the US, Corinth Homes offers a smart, sustainable solution, as David details: “One of the first things we looked at when we founded the company was this question of sustainability. How do we build better homes that serve our clients and their community? Michael, as the contractor within the business, spent a lot of time researching building methodology, and looking for ways to build greener homes.
Efficiency & productivity
“We had to take into account a number of variables — such as materials, systems, and climate. There are a lot of products out there that are geared toward energy-efficiency, but before we incorporated those systems into our home designs, we had to consider how well they would work in the northern climate. It became clear that we needed to strike a balance between functionality and sustainability.
“Insulation, heating, and ventilation are really central to achieving this mission. We face both extremes in terms of weather. With bitter cold in the winter and extreme heat during the summer months, our clients are heating their homes for half of the year and cooling them for the other half. That means we need to be very strategic when it comes to heat management— as they are running for almost the entire year, it’s vital we consider how to implement these systems as sustainably as possible.
“Efficiency and productivity have always been two of our core values within the business. We’re always looking for new ways to minimize waste and make our homes more sustainable. Keeping these values in mind also allows us to plan for major weather events, such as high winds, snow, and ice. This helps us stay on schedule and minimizes the risk of going over budget.”
Style alternatives
The company’s dedication to craftsmanship has allowed it to grow and evolve over time, as David reveals: “We have a range of in-house expertise that ensures we are able to adapt our home-building processes to the specifications of each client. A lot of our earlier homes were constructed using the panelized home building system, and we have a lot of experience building this way. However, in recent years, we’ve transitioned into more traditional building techniques.
“This just means we have more tools in our belt — if a project is on a compressed timeline, we can work using the panelized process, but we can also offer a more refined and classical approach if time and budget permits. We have experienced carpenters in our team, who can construct traditional wooden frames for larger custom homes. Our clients can decide which building system they would like us to use, based on our specification sheet, which offers nine different style alternatives.
“At the moment, we’re working on a lot of colonial-style concepts. These designs include more artistic elements, and have a very traditional, old-English aesthetic. You won’t see a lot of modern roof lines in this region – all across the Midwest we’ve seen traditional gable roofs trending instead. It gives the home a very comforting, homely, almost historic presence.”
With an aptitude for traditionally timeless designs and sustainable systems fit for the future, Corinth Homes enjoys the best of both worlds. Having struck this vital balance, Michael considers what’s next for the business: “As we continue to grow, and take on bigger projects, I’d like to see the company establish a larger regional, or even statewide reputation.
“Of course, in doing this, we want to maintain who we are. The personal attention we offer our clients has been central to our success, and our goal is to maintain that people-first approach as we manage steady growth across the business. Our reputation is everything, so we never want to grow to a point where quantity overrides quality.
“We are first and foremost a high-quality home builder. We work with good people to produce properties that will last a lifetime. One of our major assets is knowing what works. We recognize how important great communication is to a successful project. Those are the qualities I want to put in the spotlight as the business expands, and becomes a bigger name within the industry,” he concludes.