About

Our Values

  • Creative Craftsmanship

    We elevate design concepts into reality, thriving on creative solutions that enhance the original vision.

  • Integrity, Honesty, & Quality

    We build trust through transparency and follow-through. By taking ownership of your project's nuances we’ll help align expectations with budget, and deliver exceptional quality that stands the test of time.

  • Lasting Relationships

    We create enduring partnerships by treating everyone like family, from clients to craftsmen. Our down-to-earth approach and commitment to excellence creates a team that delivers exceptional results and relationships that last long after project completion.

  • Holistic Communication

    We serve as the vital bridge between vision and reality, coordinating seamlessly between designers, skilled trades, and clients. By streamlining communication and decision-making, we transform complex projects into smooth journeys.

  • Heritage & Experience

    We blend generations of building expertise with modern innovation to create tomorrow's heritage homes.

Our People

Django Holt

Founder & Head Operator

Craftsmanship runs deep in Django's DNA. While his earliest building lessons came from his father's design-build firm in California, it was the rugged beauty of the Northwest that truly shaped his approach to custom home building. In Sandpoint, Idaho, surrounded by mountains and lakes, he developed an intrinsic understanding of how homes should harmonize with their natural environment while exceeding the highest standards of quality.

Between studying architecture at North Idaho College and honing his skills in the local building community, Django discovered another passion: mentoring the next generation of builders. Through the Eureka Institute's Construction Basics Initiative, he helped introduce at-risk youth to the transformative power of craftsmanship while completing vital community projects.

Though his path briefly led through commercial construction in Bellingham, Washington and whitewater rafting guiding on the Deschutes, Django found his true calling in creating extraordinary custom homes. This unique blend of experiences - from heritage craftsmanship to outdoor leadership - shapes Ridgeback's approach to bringing innovative designs to life in Central Oregon's high desert landscape.

Behind every successful build stands a dedicated team. Django's wife, Alex Riffle, brings her expertise in small-business operations to enhance project execution and client experience. Together, they've crafted Ridgeback Builders into more than just a construction company - it's a trusted partner in transforming exceptional concepts into extraordinary homes.

Your vision doesn't just inspire our next project - it fuels conversations at our dinner table. That's the Ridgeback difference: where high-end craftsmanship meets authentic Central Oregon character, and every client becomes part of our extended family.

Our Namesake

Cedar the Dog

The spirit of Ridgeback Builders was inspired by an extraordinary companion: Cedar, a Rhodesian Ridgeback whose noble bearing, adventurous soul, and devotion to family perfectly captured the essence of our work. From 2012, he stood as Alex's steadfast guardian through both backcountry explorations and urban vanlife adventures. When Alex and Django's paths crossed in 2016, Cedar's immediate approval proved as discerning as his legendary taste for fine cheese.

Cedar masterfully balanced his refined character with an untameable spirit for adventure - much like the homes we craft. Whether lounging regally on a custom-built bench or leading the way up mountain trails, he embodied that distinct Central Oregon lifestyle where sophistication meets wilderness. His gentle watchfulness and steadfast loyalty set the standard for how we approach every relationship at Ridgeback Builders: with unwavering dedication and a deep sense of responsibility to those who trust us with their homes and dreams.

Though Cedar left us in 2024 for endless sunny meadows, his influence lives on in every home we create. His legacy reminds us that true craftsmanship means building spaces that ground us after wild adventures - sanctuaries that blend elegant design with the authentic comfort of coming home.

Like our namesake, we believe in creating homes that honor both sides of mountain living: spaces sophisticated enough for entertaining, yet welcoming enough for muddy paws and well-worn hiking boots. It's a balance Cedar perfected, and one we strive to achieve in every project we undertake.