Highlights from 2013

• timber work for a lakeside home under construction at Sproat Lake, a very contemporary design by Jorgenson Osmond Design, featuring discreet seismic connections, d.fir canted columns , beams and expansive deck works

• on Saltspring Island, a timbered entry and other elements for the Zook-Brown family home project - featuring high-grade, old growth cedar secured from a salvage logging operation. Joinery was a blend of the traditional - reinforced mortise and tenon, and modern- hidden bolted/ seismic rated fasteners

• Locally, timber frame entries and Shelterwood projects have been this year’s trend

• 2014 looks promising- some interesting commercial timber work is on the horizon and more enquiries regarding complete, stand alone frames are being encouraged. Sources for reasonably priced timber in log or cants, naturally dried, are in place, ready for that special project

Prior to 2013

• began apprenticeship in Parksville, 1988, logbuilding at Tigh Na Mara, after attending extensive log building courses in Prince George

• left the island,1991, to pursue true journeyman experience with some of the best builders in B.C.

• influenced by extensive project work in Japan and Austria

• became a member of the International Log Builders Association,1992

• immersed completely in timberframe - trained with a dedicated professional building complete frames traditionally joined in a variety of styles

• settled in the Nicola Valley, raising a young family and working closely with John Boys at Nicola Logworks
  
  
• as a team leader built many innovative (some award winning) log post and beam structures and timber frames for over ten years

• helped to establish Nicola Logworks as a quality timber and log building company locally and internationally

• gained journeyman certification in 2004

• completed various renovation projects at home and for customers as time allowed

• started Gresham Post and Beam in 2005, built a sizable mountain residence at Sunpeaks
  
  
• continued with post and beam contracts and collaborations, finishing carpentry and staircases in and around Merritt and Kamloops

• the siren call of the coast called our family and business back to Parksville in 2007

• jumped in and produced all the timber and logwork, staircases and special exterior features at Cox Bay Beach Resort in Tofino for Knappett Projects

• continued with varied projects locally - Coombs Pavilion, a wildwood post and beam commercial building

• Little Qualicum Cheeseworks riven cedar gateway, a log trussed front entry and timbered greatroom at the main home completed  more recently

• Lauren’s- a new home retro-fit comprising trussworks and beam additions, with a french estate-inspired theme

• In Saanich-a timbered poolhouse featuring tabled splice beam, subtle japanese influence and extensive deckworks

• With Mcdonald and Lawrence, an intense few months stint on varied projects

• went north to  Terrace leading the crew through  a First Nations style timber, glu-lam and massive log college facility

• developed a niche market for Shelterwood exterior living spaces and quality decks

• a collaboration on another wildwood log post and beam in Comox for the Andrade family

• The Gathering Place –a First Nations pavilion designed by Tom Dishlevoy, AFC Construction GC, at the college in Campbell River featuring massive cedar log columns, beams and timbered rafters, heavy barge boards and quality wood detailing

• at Mount Washington, a chalet timber frame rescue and restoration, replacing failed roof  and wall structures with engineered elements and a cosmetic recreation of the original head-rig sawn work

• expanded market to the lower mainland - in North Vancouver a timber post and beam, conventionally trussed garage

•  in Langely,  timber frame features for the Sandhu residence, under construction at High Point Equestrian Estates

   

 

Timber entry details overlooking Sproat Lake

 

John Deere gets the job done on Salt Spring Island

 On the job in Terrace

My family  Aaron, Gabriel, and Jill

Expansive, traditionally joined timber frame - designer Wayne Cripps

Artisan styled residence - Tommy Award 2004 - Designer Tom Haney