Building Homes or Extensions/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.

Experience in the area

I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.

Education/Credentials

B.A., M.F.A.

What do you like about this subject?

I enjoy helping clients visualize their projects and then turning those concepts into reality. Timberframing itself is a kind of sport for me, energetic and challenging both mentally and physically.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I'm always trying to create a masterpiece.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Every building has a visible, tangible skeleton that defines the living spaces. In this way, it is much like a living creature.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

A tension exists between the kind of timber framing we do by hand and that done by machine. Although there are similarities in joinery and overall design, much of the integrity of timber framing tends to be compromised during mass production. Machines can make very large homes feasible, but my favorite timber frames are made by hand from local materials and assembled without cranes.