ABOUT us
Our team is dedicated to making sure that your experience building with us
is as wonderful as the final product. We’re here for you every step of the way, guiding you with expertise that we’ve gained through decades in the
home building industry.
Christopher’s passion for home building stems from childhood and teenage years working on job sites. Following studies at the University of Virginia and commercial construction experience in Washington, D.C., his love for Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley drew him back to the family business in 2003. He has worn many hats at Bramante Homes since the mid-’80s ranging from laborer and carpenter to designer and operations manager, and later to director of sales and president.
Recently, he has enjoyed giving back to the community through volunteer efforts on behalf of the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association (board member and past president), the Augusta Home Builders Association (board member and twice past president) and the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership (board member).
When he's not building houses or volunteering, Christopher can often be found on or near the water with his wife and two daughters, fishing, boating, or working on home improvement projects.
Joshua is a distinguished construction executive with a remarkable career spanning two decades in the homebuilding industry. His journey into construction began as a member of the Navy Seabees, where he cultivated a strong work ethic and gained valuable construction skills that have shaped his path.
Following his military service, Joshua pursued higher education and achieved a Master's degree in Construction Management from Louisiana State University (LSU). This academic accomplishment provided him with a solid foundation in construction principles, advanced project management techniques, and the expertise that distinguishes him in the field.
Throughout his illustrious career, Joshua has taken the lead on numerous residential construction projects, consistently delivering exceptional results. His unwavering commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail have been instrumental in the successful completion of high-quality homes and developments.
Beyond his professional achievements, Joshua is renowned for his dedication to his team and community. He has a passion for mentoring aspiring construction professionals, contributing significantly to the growth of many in the industry.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Sonja relocated to Charlottesville in 2015 for her husband’s new job and joined Bramante in 2021. She brings 13 years of experience in the building industry and is passionate about providing exceptional client experiences. She is excited to join our clients on their home-building journeys as Client Care Coordinator.
Sonja is involved in her community, volunteering at the Senior Center, Food Bank, her childrens’ school, and as a Scout leader. When she’s not busy volunteering, she and her family love to spend time at their family farm in Southwest Virginia.
Early in her career, Janice worked as a corporate and marketing communications project manager for a Fortune 100 company in Plano, Texas. While doing so, she built her personal home and became intrigued by the detailed process. Eventually she and her husband owned and managed their own homebuilding business as well as a design consulting firm for area homebuilders. The show home they built for the Dallas Parade of Homes earned accolades from Builder/Architect Magazine for design and quality construction.
Janice particularly enjoyed the intricacies of both kitchen and bath design and earned her Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) certification through the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). She worked as a Senior Designer for a highly respected remodeling firm in the Chicago area, earned numerous design awards, and has been published in local and national magazines.
"I take great satisfaction in learning about our client's lifestyle needs and desires as that knowledge enables us to provide solutions that achieve our client's vision," Janice says.
In her spare time, Janice enjoys reading, working out, listening to good music, and hanging out with her husband and 2 chow chows. She is a shopper at heart at claims to have been born with her mother's shopping genes!
Kristin began her time at Bramante Homes in April 2020, just as everything changed. A “Jill of all trades,” she provides executive-level support to the Bramante team, handles all things A/P & A/R, oversees filing and compliance processes, and is the resident go-to-gal for tech issues. In short, she is the “glue” that holds our office together!
Born and raised in Charlottesville, Kristin is deeply committed to the betterment of her community. She enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school, supporting the local arts, and throwing epic birthday parties for her friends and family. Her daughter keeps her busy with after-school activities and a full social calendar. In her (rare) free time she loves live shows, diy projects, and time with friends.
BRAMANTE through
the decades
Bramante Homes was established by Mark Brement (Christopher's father) in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1978. We're frequently asked, "Why is it 'Bramante' if the last name is 'Brement'?"
It's actually a fairly common story! When Mark and Christopher's family immigrated to the United States from Italy, their last name was misrecorded as "Brement". The business' name honors the family's Italian roots, and their original last name.
The 1970s were the first time we saw primary suites as they currently exist with their own en-suite bath. Stained wood cabinetry and laminate countertops ruled kitchens and baths, while the carpet was laid on top of unfinished oak floors. Bright brass and gold hardware was everywhere, and wood stoves were a typical feature of the family room.
While some of these features are well out of date now, the 70s also established the concept of the kitchen "work triangle", and brought us kitchen islands and raised bars - which are still standard design features!
Bramante’s geographic footprint grew steadily and expanded from exclusively Waynesboro and Augusta Counties into Wintergreen Resort and Albemarle County. Mark honed the carpentry craft he became passionate about while serving in the Airforce, and most homes included projects that were custom-built in collaboration with the client.
In the 1980s, angular architecture was en-vogue both inside and out. It was the era of cedar siding, indoor hot tuba, rough-sawn interior trim, and casement windows. Oak cabinetry and laminate countertops still lead the market for kitchens and baths, but we started seeing both tile and granite countertops in the market. Whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers were commonly requested rather than tub-shower units.
Outdoor spaces started being more considered, with large decks becoming a standard feature. This concept has grown over the years, and thoughtful outside spaces are now considered a critical part of a functional plan.
Mark solidified Bramante’s brand identity as the go-to high-end custom builder in the Waynesboro and Augusta County markets. As teenagers, Mark’s sons Scott and Christopher became school-break employees, crafting their passions for framing, concrete, trim, and tile work. Small neighborhood lots limited to Augusta County and Waynesboro kept the team busy.
In the 1990s, brick became the predominant exterior cladding and houses went big - really big. Double-height vaulted entries were common, and the "grand staircase" was a common feature request. Wrought iron railings and copper accent roofs were the go-to.
In kitchens and baths, golden oak cabinetry was king and solid surface granite and Corian took over for laminate and tile. Hardware finishes branched out from brass and gold and included brushed nickel and chrome options.
The start of the new millenium marked exponential growth thanks to a strong housing market and full-time contributions from Mark, Christopher, and Scott, along with a crew of dedicated team members. Custom homes saw competition from well-designed speculative (“spec.”) homes, and Mark opined; “If you can buy a luxury car right off the dealer lot, why can’t you buy a luxury home right off the shelf?”
While Bramante’s work radius remained relatively small, the team re-entered Albemarle County. Computer automated design (CAD) software became an incredible tool for both Mark and Christopher to work more efficiently and refine their designs. The recession evoked grit and determination as the team pivoted to temporarily focus on remodels, additions, and smaller residential projects.
In the 2000s, brick was still the most common exterior, but James Hardie products started to seep into the market. Houses continued to grow in square footage and bigger was better. Homes used a lot of energy in this era due to their size and the availability of inexpensive utilities. Corian and laminate were almost completely replaced by granite, and oil rubbed bronze hardware became a go-to.
Undermount stainless steel sinks became standard for the first time in kitchens, and cabinetry branched out to cherry, other woods, and even some painted styles. Tile was still typically treated as a commodity rather than a decorative object and was most often installed in 12"x12" squares in a mottled pattern. We started seeing more hardwoods in common areas and significantly less carpet. "Open plan living" gains in popularity with less compartmentalization in kitchen and living room spaces.
Post-recession, Bramante moved back into Albemarle County and balanced offerings between spec and custom homes. Mark and Christopher shared leadership responsibilities and after several record sales years, Mark retired on a high note in 2018. Christopher took the helm and shifted focus back toward custom homes; growing the Bramante team strategically in order to provide an extraordinary experience for clients.
New urbanism and the recession caused a re-think of the size and efficiency of homes. They became smaller and more energy-efficient, and condensed neighborhoods with small lots became common-place. Building science was honed, and insulation practices improved by leaps and bounds while heat pumps quickly gained efficiency.
Cementitious James Hardie took over as the most common exterior cladding and home exteriors became more colorful as a result. Kitchens and baths were dominated by painted cabinetry rather than stained woods and granite took a hit as quartz rose in popularity. Master baths became oases from bustling family life and tile established itself as a decorative element installed in myriad sizes, colors, and patterns.
Styles and materials quickly became less regional and more trend-based thanks to the rise of Pinterest and national home style blogs and publications. Home design blew up in popularity on television, and the world was introduced to an entire world of possibilities in design and finish options!
The 2020s are set to be an exciting era for home building! Estate parcels and small neighborhood builds seem to share equal footing, and efficient building practices allow homes to grow or shrink based on their homeowner's unique needs. Powerful software allows us to draft plans and elevations and make adjustments incredibly quickly. Clients can see their homes come to life and explore details like never before.
The variety of materials and finishes available has never been more robust or well-understood and with endless inspiration available at our fingertips, crafting a personalized home is easier than ever. Myriad styles are en-vogue and there are few "wrong answers" as far as hardware finishes, flooring, and cabinetry options.
We can't wait to see what we get to build next! Bramante is building in Charlottesville, Crozet, Waynesboro, and throughout most of Albemarle and Augusta counties. Where do you want to live?