Our core team members have worked together for more than two decades. We have built more than 250 successful projects. Incorporated in 1994, we believe the secret to our longevity is our respect for our clients, our enduring relationships with reliable trade contractors, our flexible, multi-tasking team and our attention to detail and our commitment to top quality construction.
Tom Wuelpern, Owner
Tom Wuelpern received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan. Pursuing an interest in energy efficient design, he went on to obtain a Master in Environmental Planning at Arizona State University. While studying at ASU, Tom learned about using rammed earth and adobe wall systems as a means of stabilizing interior building temperatures in arid climates.
Early in his career he worked on rammed earth wall crews, so his architectural training is literally grounded in hands-on construction knowledge. Later, he worked in partnership with like-minded contractors, designing rammed earth and adobe residences. In 1994, he formed Rammed Earth Development, Inc. In 2012, the company changed its name to PureBuild, Inc. to reflect that its work is not limited to rammed earth construction.
An avid photographer and hiker, Tom draws inspiration and ideas from his travels in Latin America and around the world. (His account of a 2016 road trip in Chile was published in Overland Journal). Living in Barrio Santa Rosa, where he has resided with his wife and children for decades, informs how Tom sees the interplay of regional design and community.
Jeff Scheffman, Owner
A native Tucsonan with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, Jeff Scheffman has been building custom homes since the mid-1980s. He began his construction career in framing at the age of 15 and soon after was introduced to rammed earth construction.
His extensive expertise in rammed earth led Jeff to team up with Tom Wuelpern in 1995. Together, they have completed more than 250 projects using a variety of energy efficient wall systems including adobe, pressed earth block, insulated concrete forms (ICF) and insulated frame and concrete block, as well as rammed earth.
As owner and project manager, Jeff is involved in bidding jobs, scheduling trade contractors, monitoring job progress, overseeing employees, tracking change orders and consulting on working drawing details for rammed earth (and other construction methods). He also takes a lead in charting the strategic direction of PureBuild.
At home, his greatest source of pride comes from his role as husband and father of two sons and a daughter.
Anne Helwig
Anne Helwig earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Living in the same historic downtown neighborhood as Tom Wuelpern, Anne began working with him in the early 1990s.
She became a founding corporate officer when the company incorporated in 1994. In her capacity as secretary/treasurer, she is responsible for bookkeeping, assisting with contracts and documentation, and managing the compliance and administrative tasks inherent to running a business.
Anne is proud to be associated with an organization that prioritizes sustainability while constructing homes of enduring quality and beauty.
Randy Fox
Originally from California, Randy Fox began his construction career there in the mid-90s, working on commercial and residential projects. In 2000 Randy moved to Tucson specifically to join Rammed Earth Development in order to follow his real passion, building high quality sustainable homes. As Foreman/Superintendent of PureBuild, he is pleased to be able to fulfill that role every day.
He lives with his wife and twin children in a midtown adobe home where his family is committed to living a sustainable lifestyle.
Miguel Santa Cruz
The son of a mechanic, Miguel was born and raised In Tucson, AZ where he grew up working on vehicles with his father. Miguel joined PureBuild’s rammed earth wall crew in 2007 and has worked on its projects in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Nevada and throughout Arizona.
With his extensive experience in rammed earth construction and as a certified equipment operator, Miguel is a crew leader on PureBuild’s subcontracting work. When not building walls, Miguel also works with Tom and Jeff, using his many skills to ensure that our custom home projects run smoothly.
Miguel has three sons and three daughters and enjoys travel, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities in his free time.
Garth Goebel
Garth Goebel is a native Arizonan who grew up in Oro Valley. He has been building homes since the 1980s. Garth ran his own framing company and has built several houses from the ground up, including his personal residence.
He brings his comprehensive construction background to bear as a Superintendant/Foreman for PureBuild on its rammed earth wall building projects. Garth is married with three daughters.
