Snellenberger Builders, one of Palm Springs’ most acclaimed architectural firms, has been creating beautiful and timeless residential spaces for decades. Today, one of the region’s most influential young builders, Heather Michel, is leading the Snellenberger legacy into the next generation.
The family’s architectural impact began when Michel’s grandfather started building homes in Palm Springs. Eventually Michel’s father, founded Snellenberger Builders in 1981, starting with building tract homes and eventually branching into custom home design.
When Michel decided she wanted to continue the family business, she worked under other builders in the area, gaining hands-on experience and learning about how to best bring clients’ visions to life.
“I wanted to make sure that when I took over the business that I was doing not only what my dad did and my grandfather did, but what is the best way to build a company and to build a home,” she explains. “So I went and learned different things from different builders, and decided to bring all of that together and now I’m the first female builder to lead our family’s construction company which is super exciting.”
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As the first female CEO of Snellenberger Builders, Michel notes that there are several challenges that come with the role, including earning people’s respect in an industry that is largely male-dominated. Despite the obstacles, she attributes her success to hard work, an eye for design and a supportive community.
“It’s so special to be able to do this right now. I think that the community that surrounds us in the desert is helping and carrying me through, because if I was to do this 10 or 15 years ago, I think the people around me would think it was silly,” she says. “But in this particular time, people are building each other up in a way that I’ve never seen before, and I think it’s really unique to have vendors and designers and architects around us that have one common goal, and that’s to create the best home for our clients.”
Building custom homes in a community that is heralded for its beautiful weather and rich architecture, Michel’s work is heavily inspired by the seamless blend of the indoors and outdoors.
“I think the landscape of the desert influences our projects so much,” she notes. “In this particular area, indoor/outdoor living is a way of life. I think that’s one of our biggest influences because you can have these gigantic windows and door systems that showcase what the exterior is and bring that inside.”
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Looking towards the future of Snellenberger Builders, Michel is optimistic about continuing the family legacy with her children and the strong community her family has built over the last several decades.
“It’s so special that my grandfather started this and my dad was able to take it and make it even better and now here, my brother and I are taking on the next generation. I just want to continue the legacy,” she explains. “I want to be able to hand it to our children and be able to have something that withstands time and that our reputation as a Snellenberger family is able to continue as builders who have integrity and builders who are bringing something back to the desert.”
For Michel, her commitment to upholding the Snellenberger name goes beyond building, it flows out of the company and into the community. By volunteering in her city on a regular basis, Michel is able to stay grounded in what truly matters– supporting and uplifting those around her.
“We build our clients’ dream homes, and they are seven or eight million dollar homes, but there are people on the streets that don’t have any places to go. So being able to take both sides of the coin and create the legacy of building absolutely gorgeous houses and also helping people stay on their feet or get out of the sun and find a place to make their own, that is the most important thing. It’s important to make sure that we’re always grounded in our faith and grounded in what creates the community around us.”
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