Tracen Gardner

It was while growing up on his family’s 2,000-acreworking cattle ranch in Central Texas that Tracen Gardner learned his appreciation for land. From an early age, Tracen was taught the importance of understanding the earth and the land he was raised on. Caring for and tending to his land and prized show animals was how Tracen developed his keen sense and awareness for the concept of sustainability.

Tracen’s high school years were spent at the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where the concept of sustainability and earth sciences were major focuses. Tracen went back to Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin.

After 2 years at UT without a clear direction and the passing of his grandmother, Tracen decided to hitchhike across the country. It was during these travels from Maine to Los Angeles and on to Hawaii that Tracen discovered the type of person he wanted to become. After spending 8 months living in Maui, Tracen decided he was ready to head home and finish college, fulfilling a promise he had made to his grandmother.

Paying the rest of his way through the remainder of college by starting a painting company, Tracen graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Environmental Resouce Management.

In 1999, Tracen founded Dirtco Construction, an Austin-based construction company specializing in site work and hardscapes. Through Dirtco, Tracen helped develop and beautify many homes and ranches, all while utilizing the sustainable practices he had learned growing up.

After years of searching for the perfect location, Tracen finally acquired his own ranch; a remote piece of acreage near Shiner, Texas. It was the land’s lack of homestead, its distance from the city and lack of utilities that was the inspiration to create a drop-ready home that he could build in Austin and ship to his ranch.

After bringing in designer Kimber Reed as a consultant and realizing the need for simple, relocatable, sustainable living structures, Reclaimed Space was born.

Kimber Reed

Growing up in Austin, Texas, Kimber Reed has always had a forward-thinking, independent approach to life.

It was from her parents, who were teachers and antique furniture dealers that Kimber learned the value of antique wood and the beauty it holds. Watching and helping her parents find and restore old items into gorgeous antiques, Kimber began to understand how through creativity and work, things can be fixed up and made beautiful again for people to enjoy.

Kimber was the valedictorian of her high school and graduated from the esteemed Plan II Pre-Med Honors program from the University of Texas. Kimber has always had an eye for design, and she started designing professionally after college. At 23, she began rehabbing and remodeling old homes and remembered the joy she received from renewing an area and recreating it into something beautiful.

Kimber has since worked professionally in low-water landscape design, interior design and management. She is also a student and strong believer in the practice of feng shui in her designs. Kimber’s forte is in open, user-friendly floorplans and creative uses of materials, textures and color to create a modern, rustic feel.

In 2007, Tracen Gardener approached Kimber to consult in his idea to design a cabin for remote living, built from reclaimed materials. Kimber took the idea and ran with it, not only designing the first Space, but also cofounding the company that is now known as Reclaimed Space.

Brian Welch

Reclaimed Space is fortunate enough to have found an amazing artist and carpenter to help create a unique custom finish for ever space.  He is an expert with cabinets and floors; and is able to produce whatever complicated design we throw at him. Reclaimed Space has found a great addition to the team!  He even comes with credentials

Mass College Of Art                       MFA 2003          Studio for Interrelated Media

University of Texas at Austin        BFA 1999           Sculpture and Video Art