By lisa Johns
The Sunrise Legacy
On his family’s ranch in Tumalo, Oregon, a young Chris Christianson spent his days transforming dreams into tree forts. As the seasons turned, so did his ambitions barns replaced forts, and the hands of a dreamer became the hands of a craftsman. At just 20 years old, he traded the boundless skies of his childhood for the boundless horizons of entrepreneurship. What began with framing houses evolved into building light custom homes, eventually graduating to grand projects bespoke residences, apartments, and commercial spaces. Now, 25 years later, Sunrise Construction has become a premier builder in Central Oregon, creating timeless homes with the same dedication and care it invests in the relationships that make them possible.
“We were lured by Central Oregon’s promise of sunnier weather and an active lifestyle. The small town feel of Bend appealed to us after living in a big city for so long. We felt a connection to Chris. His support during our lot selection process won us over.”
–Nick Borelli & Laurie Van Asten, Home Owners
Nick Borelli and Laurie Van Asten first learned about Sunrise Construction after discovering one of its homes that earned six of eight 2021 COBA Tour of Homes’ awards in the $1,800,000-$1,890,000 category, including Best Architectural Design, Best of Show, and Best Value. After residing in Seattle for 30 years, the couple was ready for new experiences. “We were lured by Central Oregon’s promise of sunnier weather and an active lifestyle,” they explain. “The small town feel of Bend appealed to us after living in a big city for so long.” While they interviewed several builders, it was Chris’ demonstrated commitment and proactive approach that sealed the deal. “We felt a connection to Chris,” they say. “His support during our lot selection process won us over.”
“It’s an amazing experience to go from a list of priorities and use cases to seeing your dream come to life.”
–Nick Borelli & Laurie Van Asten, Home Owners
Partnering with Sunrise Construction provides clients with a comprehensive and seamless building experience, including access to an expert inhouse designer, a state of the art showroom, and a network of trusted partners. Designer Dani Bearup guides clients through the process, helping to customize layouts, materials and finishes tailored to their lifestyle and design preferences. The 3,500 square foot showroom features top tier tile, flooring, hardware, and other design products from over 60 different vendors, simplifying the selection process. Sunrise Construction’s long standing relationships with local subcontractors who share their penchant for quality like Homeland Design, the architect and landscape designer for Nick and Laurie’s home—ensure superior craftsmanship at every step. Reflecting on their collaboration, Nick and Laurie share, “We never felt pressure to make quick decisions and we worked together until we liked what we saw and made sure that it could be built within our parameters.”
Managing their build remotely from Seattle, the couple relied on Sunrise Construction’s technology as much as their expertise to stay connected and informed throughout the process. Onsite webcams provided real time access to project activity, while a robust project management platform centralized all communication. This system enabled effortless file sharing, change order approvals, budget tracking, and daily logs, fostering transparency and efficiency at every stage. For Chris, this level of accountability and attention to detail reflects his mantra, “Make sure you’re doing it right when no one is looking.” For Nick and Laurie, it ensured peace of mind. “Sunrise was always on top of things,” they share. “Consistent communication made for a smooth process.”
The couple’s vision came to life in the North Rim community, perched on the northern face of Awbrey Butte with stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and high desert landscapes. Drawing inspiration from their European travels, they chose a Tuscan style exterior that harmonizes effortlessly with the surrounding landscape. A welcoming courtyard ushers guests to a custom built, 3 inch reclaimed fir entrance door with a speakeasy feature, opening into a great room dominated by a 22 foot tall wrap around cement fireplace a striking blend of industrial charm and contemporary sophistication. Inside, the home balances modern design with traditional accents, showcasing a minimalist palette of grays, blacks, and whites complemented by Northwest inspired wood tones and expansive windows. The great room
flows seamlessly outdoors through infinity doors to a patio complete with a custom stone seat, water feature, and native plants that keep local wildlife at bay. Infrared heaters throughout, including in the fireplace and cooking areas, ensure the space can be enjoyed year round.
“When things get a little tricky, the knee jerk reaction from subcontractors is, ‘No, we can’t do that.’ But as a home builder, it’s our job to push back and get the answer to yes.”
–Chris Christianson, Owner, Sunrise Construction
Beyond outdoor entertaining, Nick and Laurie envisioned a home that caters to their lifestyle and hobbies, starting with a four seat theater room designed for intimacy and immersion, featuring black walls and discreetly hidden components. In the kitchen, an eye catching 11 foot single slab island with a contrasting black base offers the perfect hub for quick meals or overflow from the adjacent dining room. Avid river enthusiasts, the couple prioritized functional storage, requesting two over sized two car garages one for their vehicles and another to house their trailer, whitewater boats, and gear. Meeting these needs while navigating the challenges of their lot’s uneven topography required creative problem solving from the Sunrise Construction team. Equally demanding was the seamless fireplace in the great room. Reflecting on these hurdles, Chris explains, “When things get a little tricky, the knee jerk reaction from subcontractors is, ‘No, we can’t do that.’ But as a home builder, it’s our job to push back and get the answer to yes.” When asked if they are happy with the results, Nick and Laurie’s answer is unequivocal. “It’s an amazing experience to go from a list of priorities and use cases to seeing your dream come to life,” they conclude.
“I’m not focused on growing the company in terms of employees or size. My focus is on our clients and my ability to personally interact with them and our projects. We strive to make everything better the process, the builds, the scheduling, the technology, our subcontractors, and, ultimately, our client experience.”
–Chris Christianson, Owner, Sunrise Construction
The quality materials, craftsmanship, and functional beauty of Nick and Laurie’s home evoke a timelessness that has become synonymous with Sunrise Construction. While the company has grown and evolved, Chris values its current size, which allows him to nurture close relationships. “I’m not focused on growing the company in terms of employees or size. My focus is on our clients and my ability to personally interact with them and our projects. We strive to make everything better—the process, the builds, the scheduling, the technology, our subcontractors, and, ultimately, our client experience.” Perhaps that recognition is the very reason each Sunrise Construction project carries the soul of the boy on the ranch who understood that building was never just about wood and nails, but about creating something beautiful and lasting.
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