Today we’d like to introduce you to Alem Peljto.
Alem, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
OpenForge Construction and Design was formed out of necessity, alignment, and timing.
Alem Peljto and Wascar Aracena came together through active development work, not theory. Both were already deeply involved in real estate and construction from different but complementary angles. Wascar has been a real estate agent in the Georgia and Florida markets for over 20 years, giving him a deep, practical understanding of land use, market dynamics, zoning considerations, and how projects perform long before ground is ever broken. Alem hails from a family run construction background and brings extensive business, finance, and sales experience, with a focus on deal structuring, capital strategy, and execution at the development level.
We quickly realized that most projects fail not because of one bad decision, but because the process itself is fragmented.
OpenForge was created to remove that fragmentation.
From day one, the company was intentionally built to operate in house from end to end. Design, engineering coordination, budget planning, permitting, and construction are not siloed functions for us, they are part of a single, continuous workflow. We manage architectural design and all engineering disciplines internally, ensuring constructability, cost alignment, and compliance are addressed before a project ever reaches the field.
Cost control is achieved through ownership, not assumptions. OpenForge owns and operates its own equipment and maintains dedicated in house labor teams across key trades, rather than relying on rotating crews. This allows us to control schedules, quality, and pricing with far greater precision, while eliminating many of the variables that typically drive overruns and delays.
Every project begins with a meticulous design and pre construction process. We guide clients through feasibility analysis, budget modeling, value engineering, and permitting strategy, acting as both consultant and builder. Once construction begins, the same team that designed and planned the project manages it through completion, ensuring continuity, accountability, and clarity at every phase.
Early projects focused on smaller builds and renovations, which allowed us to refine this integrated model and stress test our systems. As the approach proved itself, OpenForge expanded into larger ground up residential and mixed use developments, joint ventures, and investor driven projects where execution discipline is critical.
Today, OpenForge operates at the intersection of construction and development, delivering projects from concept to reality under one roof. We work with homeowners, developers, and capital partners who value transparency, predictability, and long term performance. We do not treat construction as an isolated service. We treat it as the final execution of a well planned system.
That integrated, in house approach is what continues to drive our growth and define how we build.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road, and we would be skeptical of anyone in construction or development who says it was.
One of the earliest challenges was building an integrated, in house model in an industry that is largely built around fragmentation. Owning the process end to end requires significantly more upfront investment, equipment, systems, and people, long before the efficiencies show up on the back end. There were moments early on where it would have been easier to outsource more, scale faster on paper, or chase volume. We chose not to, and that required patience and discipline.
Another challenge has been navigating market volatility. Labor shortages, material price swings, supply chain disruptions, and shifting interest rate environments forced us to become extremely conservative and precise in how we underwrite projects. Those conditions tested our budgeting assumptions and reinforced the importance of controlling as many variables as possible through in house crews, owned equipment, and detailed pre construction planning.
Growth itself also creates pressure. As projects became larger and more complex, the margin for error narrowed. We had to continuously refine our internal processes, tighten communication, and invest in project management and design systems to maintain quality while scaling responsibly. That meant turning down projects that did not align with our standards or timelines, even when demand was strong.
Perhaps the most consistent challenge has been education and alignment. Many clients and partners are accustomed to traditional models where design, engineering, and construction are disconnected. Helping them understand the value of a fully integrated approach, especially early in the process, takes time and trust.
Each of these challenges shaped how OpenForge operates today. None of them were setbacks. They were forcing functions that strengthened our systems, sharpened our decision making, and reinforced our commitment to building the right way, not just the fast way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about OpenForge Construction and Design ?
OpenForge Construction and Design is a fully integrated design build and development firm. What that means in practice is that we take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of a project, from early feasibility and concept, through design, engineering, budgeting, permitting, construction, and final delivery.
We specialize in ground up residential construction, mixed use and small scale commercial projects, renovations, and development focused joint ventures. Our work often involves complex sites, tight budgets, and high expectations, which is where our model performs best. We are known for stepping in early, helping clients and partners make informed decisions before money is spent in the field, and then executing those plans with discipline and precision.
What sets OpenForge apart is control and continuity. All critical functions are handled in house. Our architectural and engineering coordination, design process, budget planning, permitting consulting, project management, and construction execution operate as a single system. We own our equipment and maintain dedicated in house labor teams across trades, which allows us to control cost, quality, and schedule in ways that traditional contractor models cannot. The same team that helps shape a project at the concept stage is accountable for delivering it to completion.
We are particularly proud of the rigor behind our pre construction process. Every project goes through detailed feasibility analysis, constructability review, and budget modeling before it moves forward. This approach reduces surprises, aligns expectations, and creates trust with our clients and capital partners. By the time a project breaks ground, most of the hard decisions have already been made thoughtfully and collaboratively.
Brand wise, what we value most is consistency. We do not chase volume or trends. We are selective about the projects we take on and the partners we work with because our reputation is built on execution, not marketing. Clients know us for transparency, realistic timelines, and delivering what we commit to.
What we want readers to understand is that OpenForge is not just a construction company. We are a problem solving organization built for projects that require coordination, accountability, and long term thinking. Whether we are working with a homeowner, a developer, or an investor, our role is the same, to bring structure, clarity, and discipline to the process and turn well planned ideas into built reality.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Yes, there are several resources that consistently help shape how we think, lead, and operate, both professionally and personally.
Books:
“Good to Great” by Jim Collins has had a lasting impact on how we think about disciplined leadership and building organizations that endure.
“The E Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber helped shape how we approach systems, structure, and the difference between working in the business and building a business.
“Thinking in Systems” by Donella Meadows influences how we solve complex problems across design, engineering, and construction.
“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott is foundational to our company culture. We believe in caring personally while challenging directly, and this framework has helped us build a culture of honesty, accountability, and respect.
Podcasts:
The Tim Ferriss Show offers cross industry insights that extend beyond business alone.
How I Built This with Guy Raz provides perspective on the realities behind building enduring companies.
The Construction Leading Edge Podcast is a resource we value for leadership and operational excellence within the construction industry.
Apps & Tools:
We use Notion and ClickUp as operational hubs for project planning, documentation, and internal alignment.
For budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, we rely on Excel and Google Sheets with custom built financial models.
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera support ongoing development in leadership, management, and technical skills.
Industry Education & Licensing:
We place a strong emphasis on industry specific and license related continuing education. Staying current on building codes, permitting requirements, safety standards, and best practices is essential to how we operate. Our team regularly participates in continuing education tied to professional licensing, trade certifications, and regulatory updates to ensure compliance, technical excellence, and responsible execution across every project.
Blogs & Ongoing Learning:
Harvard Business Review is a regular resource for leadership and organizational thinking.
Farnam Street helps reinforce disciplined decision making and long term thinking.
At a values level, we are a faith based organization. That foundation influences how we lead, how we serve clients, and how we treat one another. Integrity, humility, accountability, and stewardship guide our decisions. Combined with a culture rooted in Radical Candor, this creates an environment where people are respected, challenged, and supported to do their best work.
Ultimately, these resources reinforce a core belief at OpenForge, strong systems matter, but strong character, culture, and continuous learning matter even more.
Pricing:
- Yes, we believe in transparency, while also recognizing that every project is unique. Pricing is highly dependent on scope, site conditions, design complexity, and material selections, but the following general ranges can be helpful for context: • Ground up residential construction: Typically ranges based on scope, design complexity, and finish level. Projects are priced individually following a detailed pre construction and budgeting process. • Design build services: Pricing includes architectural coordination, engineering integration, budget planning, and construction under a single contract, allowing for greater cost control and fewer surprises. • Renovations and remodels: Pricing varies widely depending on structural changes, systems upgrades, and finishes. We guide clients through feasibility and budget alignment before construction begins. • Pre construction and consulting: Offered as a standalone service for clients and investors who need feasibility analysis, budget modeling, permitting guidance, or development strategy before committing to a build. • Development and joint venture projects: Pricing and compensation structures are customized and often include a combination of fixed costs, cost plus arrangements, or equity participation depending on the project and partnership structure. We do not offer one size fits all pricing. Our focus is on realistic budgets, disciplined planning, and cost certainty, rather than headline numbers. Every project begins with a detailed evaluation to ensure alignment before moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.openforgeconstruction.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openforgeco?igsh=MTRob2ZiOHBweGZ6bA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Asc3iyG56/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openforge-construction-design/
Image Credits
Pictured: Alem Peljto, Wascar Aracena, Sandro Melo, Deborah Aracena, and associates.
