Recently our fine woodworking division NEWwoodworks was involved in the renovation of a unique guesthouse on a property in New York State. The project reunited our team with Brad Hall of Element Design Build, our former long-time construction manager, whose team was heading up the homes redesign and renovation.

We caught up with Rob D’Alessandro who manages our woodworking division to talk about the unique look the woodworking took on during the remodel of the home, and how collaborating with trusted long-time partners on a project can lead to outstanding results.

Q: How did this project get started and what made it unique for NEWwoodworks ?

Artfully blending the modern farmhouse aesthetic with classic lake house style for this property in New York’s Finger Lakes region, this home features steep gables, traditional white shiplap, a screened in timber porch, and extensive timber detailing.

“The clients really like that clean, white, modern farmhouse look with steeper gables, white shiplap, and timber detailing,” Peter Heintzelman, AIA, LEED G.A. from Method Architecture Studio shared. “On the exterior we also added a little character with stained and finished timber. There is also a large screen porch that is connected to the living area that increases the size and variability of the space. The owners left it pretty open ended in terms of the design work, but they definitely had a look they were going for overall.”

The West Coast team was on site this spring raising what can only be described as a cathedral-like horse barn. One of the most intense barns New Energy Works has designed & raised, this one with the added challenge of being in the Alvord Desert in southwest Oregon.

The Alvord is actually a (mostly) dry lakebed that stretches for miles: flat and lifeless with a chapped sandy surface.  It’s worth the visit, but be prepared, there's only one gas station and no grocery stores for 100 miles.

The team spent two weeks on site raising the frame in 40 mile an hour winds, blazing hot sun some days, and snowstorms on others. Still, when picking giant bents, you can’t bring a timber framer down when their passion and spirits are high.

“I had a lot of fun doing it. And I mean that. We got to play with some interesting crane rigging,” Darren Watson our west coast Timber Frame Lead shared, getting rather building geeky with glee. “Skookum with pulleys…two different points…spreader bar…and keeping it balanced. It was pretty neat.”