At Harmon Builders, every home we create is a reflection of our family’s passion for craftsmanship. From the design table to the final detail in the woodshop, each project is truly a family effort. This time, we’re bringing you a closer look at that process — through the eyes of our son, Emerson.
A Family Builds at Harmon
Emerson is a high school senior who’s grown up around sawdust, blueprints, and building sites. As he prepares for college, he’s taking on a new role: documenting one of our upcoming build projects. He’ll be sharing his perspective as the build takes shape — what goes into each stage, what he learns, and what makes a Harmon build unique.
Photo: The Harmon Family – Melani, Jesse, Paul and Emerson at City Lab in Berlin, Germany.
Workshop and Art Gallery Kickoff in Sharpsburg, MD.
By Emerson Harmon — October 13, 2025
Project Overview:
Permits in hand, ground-breaking next. Harmon Builders is excited to launch a new project: a bespoke workshop and art gallery in the Sharpsburg area—a space tailored for a pilot’s kit-aircraft builds alongside a refined gallery for the owners’ photography interests. With the well drilled last month, the septic system designed, and the building permit approved last week, we’re aligning schedules to break ground.
Site & Design Details:
The property to house the workshop is beautifully positioned on a hillside along the Potomac River, near Taylor’s Landing in Sharpsburg, MD. The building will feature not only a working shop for building small aircraft but also its own well and septic system, a fully equipped kitchen, ample storage, a full bathroom, and a gallery space to host the owner’s photographic work and artful gatherings comfortably. A dedicated workshop, finishing room, and ample storage ensure clean, efficient craftwork. Our kickoff meeting last week, which coordinated with trades, helped set the groundwork for breaking ground, foundation plans, and construction sequencing.
Looking Ahead
With the groundwork now clearly defined and communication lines open, the project is positioned for a strong start. The next couple of weeks will be dedicated to final preparations—securing materials and preparing the site—so that once work begins, everything proceeds smoothly.
Follow along as we shape this multi-use space from the ground up—where craftsmanship meets curation.
Next Up:
Excavation, foundation prep, and utilities.
Note from Melani: Many thanks to our long-time friend and fellow artisan Kirke Martin, owner of M4 Studios. Kirke played a pivotal role in bringing Harmon Builders into this project to assist with design, project management, and job supervision.
P.S. – Watch the process of another of our builds – an Industrial Cabin in the Mountains See the property on Airbnb
About Emerson’s Journal
A behind-the-scenes look at Harmon Builders projects through the next generation’s eyes. Emerson Harmon documents the craftsmanship, process, and creativity that go into every custom build.
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