Our financial team, Karen Parkhurst and Traci Converse, took a break from bean counting to model the use of a new business banking feature for Lyons National Bank. This ad will be the first of several featuring New Energy Works employees and customers.

A select group of independent Portland architects took time out to visit New Energy Works' McMinnville, Oregon timber frame shop. After a quick tour and lunch, they settled in on a big timber to learn about recycled wood products from Pioneer Millworks and the use of timber framing as structure and design element in sustainable homes and buildings. If you'd like a tour and presentation at either of our shops (NY or OR), call us, we'd like to meet you.

Feels like summer! Brian (our general manager) and Madelyn (future general manager) take their first jet ski ride of the summer. It won't be long before she'll be jetting around the lake on her own ski doo.

Whether you're planning a home, designing for a business, or just curious about the use of heavy timber as structure, please come on out and join us for the celebration of the raising of this residential frame in Penn Yan, NY. Call our New York office for details.

This newly raised pavilion in Victor, NY made out of Douglas fir timbers is not only an expression of our craft but of the community's good will. Made possible through the efforts and donations of the local Victor-Farmington Rotary Club, New Energy Works, and Crane Hogan, this new structure will provide shelter for picnics, parties, and town gatherings for many generations.

Conceived as part of the Rochester Homebuilders' Association 'Dream Home Showcase' project, this house took shape over 2004 and was on display to the public during July 2004. A Lakeside Aerie features New Energy Works at our creative best and allows us to showcase the talents of our designers, timberframers, fine woodworkers, and construction crew, as well as displaying some gorgeous reclaimed wood from Pioneer Millworks. Now, privately owned, this lakeside home is for sale. For details click here.

Second Nature Academy in Nashua, New Hampshire is in its first full year of classes. We helped shape the building and designed and raised a timber frame for the structure. The building is working towards LEED Certification and features a FSC Douglas Fir timber frame, SIPs for the walls and roof, solar panels, geo thermal heating and cooling, low flow toilets, cork floors, low VOC finishes, and a host of locally sourced materials.

Pioneer Millworks recently finished working with Parker Thompson on a great camp in the Adirondacks where we supplied more than ten thousand board feet of reclaimed wood for flooring, paneling, and trim Here's what the owner had to say about us: Thanks for taking the time to send a thanks - but the thanks belongs to all of the great people, like you, who have a passion for what they do and make the effort necessary to make places like the camp come to life.

This pavilion sits overlooking Lake Erie. It's a perfect spot to take in a sunset, stage a picnic on a sunny day, or just watch the lapping of this great lake's waves. It also does a fine job of housing the main house's pumps and other mechanicals.

Though we're told this Soho trattoria from restaurateur Keith McNally attracts guests from all over the world for its fine Italian fare, Sierra & Eric were drawn to it for its custom oak facade and doors crafted by our own NEWwoodworks team. If you go, make your reservations well-ahead, and be sure to check out our central server station as well.

If you haven't been to our headquarters in New York, you may not know we keep a pin map marking all the states (and countries) where we've raised a timber frame. We're pleased to announce, Kentucky now sports a pin. From the exterior, this residence reflects the architectural style of other homes in the area; however the timber frame allows it to have an expansive main great room expressing and celebrating both structure and craft.

A recent local raising was featured by the Daily Messenger in Canandaigua, NY on June 11th.

At this raising, veteran timber framer Paul Plane, directs the crane operator in positioning a ridge beam into place. The steel all thread he's handling is used in high loading situations due to frame size and environmental forces.

Today we’re raising this home addition in Nashua, New Hampshire. It will feature FSC-certified Douglas fir and several king post bents that will create a loft, master suite, and great room space.

Here's something to keep in mind if you're considering a kitchen remodel: Kitchens don't function better just because they're bigger. In fact, best to have a well-designed small kitchen than an ill-designed big kitchen. In this example, we created a cozy space that keeps everything a cook needs at his fingertips, including company.

This smiling group of New Energy Works’ folks gathered for the Chase Corporate Challenge which benefited the Urban League of Rochester’s green job initiative. They had no idea they would be running the 3.5 miles in a record setting downpour. We’ve seen the after picture -- they’re still smiling, but not nearly as clean!

The center ridge line is raised into place on this Dennis, Massachusetts frame. The curved bottom chords throughout the frame complement the owner’s desire for organic living spaces that are both open and flowing.

This king post truss roof system will provide a shady spot for socializing at the ice cream bar it shelters. Situated pool side at Midtown Athletic Club in Rochester, NY, we’re sure there will be plenty of action around these beams.

This game room will stand apart from the main timber frame home with its steel framing and industrial wood rafters.

Dan has handled thousands of board feet of reclaimed wood at Pioneer Millworks. Recently he moved from working some of the biggest band saws in the industry to heading up the new eco-friendly engineered flooring line. When he’s not checking wear layers and machinery, Dan can be found spending time with his family and snapping some darn good photographs. Dan smokes his own lake-caught trout and perch and serves it at break with mustard and crackers.

The Victor-Farmington Rotary along with New Energy Works has joined forces to help the Town of Victor realize part of their green space vision, an open air pavilion at Victor Municipal Park. If you're interested in seeing our team of volunteers raise this frame, join us at 10 am on Tuesday, June 9. While it's not a complicated frame, it's large and promises lots of crane time for those of you who like to see heavy equipment in action. Take Rt. 96 south heading east out of the village of Victor: turn right on Brace Road(just after the overpass); you'll see our signs at the end of the entrance to the park on your right.

Vermont Street Update: The overhangs are built, at last. They've defined the home's edges, and thereby both taking away a bit of the mystery while solving lingering questions of final form. Read why we're such big fans of overhangs and hangovers: vermontstreetproject.com/

Warmest welcome to Catherine (Cate) Maeve Brett and congratulations to proud dad (and Pioneer Millworks general manager), Martin Brett and mom Lisa! Born Monday, June 1st at 12:16pm, 8lbs 6oz. Along with Cate, big siblings Liam (4 yrs) and Erin (18 months) are sure to keep Martin and Lisa busy.

Our woodworks group fabricated this Douglas Fir stair for a private residence in Salina, Kansas. The material matches the timber frame. The lower stair tapers and rises to a timbered landing. Our team coordinated with the local builder and architect to accommodate the Arts and Crafts hammered iron rail.

Classically designed, this two story Douglas fir timber frame home features king post trusses with double sawn curved bottom chords and double sawn struts. Set in a private agricultural area, we’re sure it will become a sanctuary from the owner’s daily city grind.

During a raising, a large hammer, called a beedle, can sometimes be used to persuade a timber to get just a bit deeper into that pocket before we let off on the crane.

Julie, Jered and Jamie hosted the Pioneer Millworks booth at the 2009 Hospitality and Design Expo in Las Vegas last week. While the puzzle floor was a hit, the custom, live edge walnut coffee table provided by New Energy Works drew its own crowd.