Why I Only Build Three Homes a Year

A Conversation with Tom Thurwood, Director of Thurva Projects

Californian Bungalow - blending tradition with modern refinement

In an industry often driven by volume and efficiency, Brisbane builder Tom Thurwood, Director of Thurva Projects, has taken a different path. With a career built on precision and an eye for architectural detail, Tom chooses to take on no more than three or four homes each year - not out of limitation, but conviction.

“There’s a point in your career where you stop chasing scale and start pursuing mastery,” Tom explains. “I’d rather build fewer homes and know every decision was deliberate.”

Tom’s journey began in Queensland, where a hands-on carpentry apprenticeship laid the foundations for a practical, grounded understanding of construction. But it was during his years in Melbourne, immersed in highly detailed, architect-led builds, that something shifted.

“Those projects made me realise just how much thought goes into good design - and how easily that vision can be lost without the right builder. That’s when I knew I wanted to focus on homes that are crafted, not just completed.”

Today, with Thurva Projects, Tom works alongside leading architects to deliver bespoke homes that balance design precision with construction integrity. His approach is marked by early engagement, structured decision-making, and what he calls “quiet craftsmanship” - the kind that doesn’t scream for attention, but earns it through timeless execution.

“We build with foresight. That means thinking through not just how something will be constructed, but how it will age, how it performs, and how it feels to live in. That level of consideration can’t be systemised - it requires attention,” explains Tom.

A key part of that philosophy is limiting the number of projects. By staying close to every detail, from prestart through to handover, Tom ensures each home is built with clarity and care.

“When you’re present, you see things early. You solve problems before they escalate. You protect the design, and the client feels supported through the entire journey.”

As he prepares to embark on what will be his signature project in Queensland, Tom sees Brisbane as fertile ground for meaningful, design-led construction.

“There’s a richness to building in Brisbane,” he reflects. “Large blocks, ambitious architecture, and a strong sense of place. I’m particularly interested in how homes can respond to climate here - not just through performance, but through spatial planning and materiality. There’s a lot of room to innovate, quietly.”

When asked what he wants someone to feel in a Thurva home, his answer is considered.

“That it was built with care. That it reflects the design without compromise. And that every part of it, visible or not, was considered.”

But for Tom, it’s not just about the craft - it’s about what the home holds.

"A home isn’t just a structure. It’s where people gather, where memories are made. The spaces we build become part of someone’s story - and that’s a responsibility I take seriously.”

Looking ahead, Tom isn’t chasing scale or rapid growth - but quiet recognition.

"In ten years, I want Thurva to be known for homes that stand the test of time. Not just in how they perform - but in how they make people feel. Great architecture deserves to be built with care. And great homes deserve to be lived in with ease.”