A Family Tradition of Building
Building is woven into the fabric of our family’s identity. From catapults and soapbox cars to treehouses and the very homes we live in, construction has always been our passion. I spent the summer of ’89 operating a nail gun, nailing down subfloors in the 4,000-square-foot house my dad was building for us. At just 10 years old and 4 feet tall, I was perfectly suited for the job—no bending required! It was all part of life for us, just as some families know auto maintenance or football, we knew building.
Science Driven Green Building
From Theory to Practice
While my father spent the first 30 years of his life earning a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, he paid the bills as a carpenter. His brothers, my uncles, pursued MBAs and varied careers but ultimately returned to their roots, founding Nicholson Builders. Although I’m a licensed attorney in Tennessee and spent 12 years as a professional poker player, my bankroll originated from summer work for Nicholson Builders. For my father and me, building was always in the background—until now.
A New Purpose
Growing up, our family hiked, canoed, rock climbed, and camped all over East Tennessee. We weren’t environmentalists by any formal definition, but we respected the earth. Like many, I assumed climate change was a distant threat, something we could deal with later. However, in the summer of 2013, the urgency of climate change hit home. What had once been a theoretical issue became, for me, a matter of global humanity. I knew I had to act, so I called the smartest old hippie scientist I knew—my dad. And that’s how Nicholson and Sun, with all its layers of meaning, was born.
Our Commitment to a Greener Future
After career changes and a move to Asheville, NC, we set up shop in a community that supports our mission to push the building industry toward combating climate change. With a scientific approach, we strive to create building and design innovations that improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints—all on a cost-effective basis. Our goal is simple: to build the best homes on the planet and for the planet. We hope you’ll give us the chance to show you how.
Don M. Nicholson, Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, represents the SCIENCE backbone of our company. With a specialization in material science and a deep expertise in energy efficiency, Don serves as our resident “energy guru.” He leverages his extensive research background to develop innovative solutions to the energy efficiency challenges in designing and building high-performance homes. When he’s not focused on building, you can find Don and his wife, Christina, socializing with neighbors in Montford, out hiking, or riding his electric bike to UNCA, where he is a Research Professor of Physics. When he’s not steering the company toward success, Donald enjoys being steered by his three children and wife at home, where they all love to explore the outdoors and foster community through the Isaac Dickson PTO.
Donald P. Nicholson, J.D., embodies the DRIVEN part of our company. An attorney, seasoned entrepreneur, and Angel investor and advisor, Donald has a proven track record of turning visionary ideas into successful ventures. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic insights fuel the company’s growth, guiding our direction with a focus on execution, innovation, and calculated risk-taking.
When he’s not steering the company toward success, Donald enjoys being steered by his three children and wife at home, where they all love to explore the outdoors and foster community through the Isaac Dickson PTO.
David Allen Nicholson holds a B.A. in Industrial Design and is the GREEN heart of our company. Beyond being an expert tree hugger, David generates the lines, colors, and visual designs that bring our ideas to life. His sketches, architectural renderings, and creative input provide our homes with visual innovation that matches the scientific advancements behind their construction. He is the tireless engine and meticulous craftsman on the job. When he’s not building, you can find him fishing, playing soccer, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. When he’s not steering the company toward success, Donald enjoys being steered by his three children and wife at home, where they all love to explore the outdoors and foster community through the Isaac Dickson PTO.
Dennis D. Nicholson, the BUILDING foundation of our company, has taken up permanent retirement in the clouds. With an M.B.A. from the University of S. Carolina, Dennis was a general contractor since 1978, contributing to the construction of over 100 homes throughout his career. His expertise was unmatched, and his dedication to the craft set a standard that we strive to uphold every day. We are forever grateful for the trail he blazed and consider it our highest honor to carry forward his legacy and teachings. Should there be a heaven, we have no doubt that Dennis is on a job site up there, perched on an empty sheet-rock bucket, pointing out to Jesus the carpenter where he might have measured wrong. When he’s not steering the company toward success, Donald enjoys being steered by his three children and wife at home, where they all love to explore the outdoors and foster community through the Isaac Dickson PTO.