The New Energy Works team recently contributed our high craft abilities to raise an exceptional structure in Buffalo, NY. The Stuart Gellman Family Pavilion is phase one of Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo’s Pathways of Remembrance campaign. 

Kevin V. Connors, PE, AIA, CPHD,  and Principal of eco_logic STUDIO, architecture & engineering, PLLC says, “The whole concept of the original development of the project was to maximize a contact with nature for patients, families, and staff, so this, this project is kind of like it's like a trailhead or a boardwalk system that's going to go through the woods. The pavilion really helps to enhance that aspect of it.”

The landscape designer who was working with the center, Ben Hirsch from Beautiful River Landscape Design presented the conceptual architectural language that got the ideas started while eco_logic took over the design.

Conners says, “They desired a way to kind of develop the natural land that they have out there. They've got several acres of wetlands and woods and we kind of picked up where Hirsch left off and developed it into, kind of an architectural concept, as well as the siting and the size of it.”

“It’s a really tight spot. We had to work outside of the wetland area. So, you know, we come right up to the wetland with we've got perimeter rain gardens and rain chains from the gutters going into the rain gardens and then that overflows into the wetlands at one of the corners of the building. They had some space behind the Wilson Center. We oriented the building 90 degrees to the Wilson Center. So, there's a clear kind of relationship there. And it provides enclosure for the outdoor space that wasn't there before.

New Energy Works Construction Division is Rochester Business Journal’s 2025 Leaders in Construction & Real Estate award winner for home building. Our timber frame project, Inclusion in Motion, is a 2025 Top Projects award honoree. 

“We are excited to join a distinguished collection of other Rochester area developers, architects, contractors, and partners who practice innovation, forward thinking building methods with our home building leader award,” says Eric Fraser President of East Coast New Energy Works. “But the real honor is having Inclusion in Motion win a top project. This radically inclusive playground and pavilion was a passion project for our internal team with its impact on the community. We’re glad to see it honored.” 

New Energy Works architect David Shirley AIA, CPHB, is not only a traveling man, but a wearer of several hats. He recently took to the air and the road to check in on an active New Energy Works project, one that’s in the hopper, and to visit a legacy client looking to assimilate more timber into their property.

Born and raised in Tennessee, David relishes the chance to return to his home state. What makes these trips even better is when he can bundle face to face meetings with design clients with visiting his family along the way.

David’s first stop on a loop that included Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas was in the Blue Ridge Mountains where he checked in on a full-service New Energy Works project first outlined here. David flew in to discuss very specific detailing with the builder for this high craft timber frame project and to help them better understand the plans and the New Energy Work’s way of doing things.

Shirley says, “I went out there to make sure that the foundation was laid out correctly from the drawings before they poured and also to go over the connection details with the builder. I had a one-on-one with the builder to explain some of the details that New Energy Works has that he's not familiar with. As an example, there's particular hold-downs that he's never seen before. On the West Coast hold-downs are very common but not so much in the South.

“So, he wanted me to come down and explain to him how this worked. We chit-chatted about the best way install these. He asked if we were going to install them before we put down the concrete or were we going to drill and epoxy and put them in afterwards, which is the method we landed on.” 

Our fine partners at Akhurst Machinery  recently provided our NEWBeamery with a Leadermac 461 Planermac four-sided planer. This new equipment was specifically chosen to enhance our output and precision, ensuring that our timber would meet the exacting standards required.

Akhurst recently visited with us and the result was a wonderful day with Jonathan documented in the video below.

https://www.akhurst.com/new-energy-works-a-legacy-of-craftsmanship-and-innovation/

Akhurst Machinery: Working together with our customers to solve today’s manufacturing challenges is why we are here.

Building Trust. Creating together.

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“I love structure that is gorgeous, and the timber work on this project is form and function at its best,” says Kevin Beland of Wood and Clay Fine Homes.

There are three buildings located on the expansive New Hampshire compound where two new timber frame structures will be raised. The property includes the client’s main home, a new garage, and a new timber frame party barn. While the client’s main living quarters is getting an update from Wood and Clay, the two new structures are being raised to complete a master plan that mimics the existing aesthetic detailing found around the property.

“The idea is that all of the structures are going to speak to each other. We try to have things have logic to them,” says Beland. “The garage sits between the main house and the party barn. The garage and barn are brand-new buildings and we’re giving the main house a facelift to bring it together with the other structures. 

Shannon Robinson-Beland, co-owner of Wood and Clay, adds, “The party barn is going to be a family space for entertaining. There will be a ping-pong table, a lounge area, and a bar. Just like the name says, it’s a party barn! Adjacent to that structure there is a garage where there will be a few of the client’s favorite cars on display and an additional gym space. The garage space is more functional but still has a high level of finish both in terms of the timbers, the butternut siding on the walls and stained wood details on the ceiling.”