What an experience we’ve had following along with the progress of architect Kyle Barber’s journey building a fully certified passive house. Check out our previous blogs here: Part one, Part two, and Part three.

Kyle’s home recently passed the rigorous Phius (Passive House Institute) sanctioned blower door test; a certified diagnostic designed to measure a structures airtightness while ensuring that it meets Phius’s stringent energy-efficiency standards. The test is done both during the construction process and again post-construction.

Following this milestone, the Barber’s hosted a Phius Alliance New York tour of their in-progress home, giving attendees a firsthand look at building a high-performance passive house from the owner’s perspective. Town officials, Phius verifiers, members and a team of Kyle’s co-workers gathered to share information, learn about the tenets of passive house construction and share in the joy of collaboration.

In the midst’s of all of this positive progress we caught up with Kyle to get an update on where he is and what comes next in his home building process. “There are a bunch of checklists and co-requisites as part of passive house that we have to meet. It's Energy Star, EPA WaterSense, EPA Indoor Air Plus, and DOE Energy Star Zero Ready Home and we just got our design certification. Which means they have reviewed our design and determined that we designed it to meet passive house.”

“The next step is through the construction process; my verifier will confirm that the house is being constructed the way it was designed so that we can verify that the building will perform the way that we assumed in the energy model. After the construction's done and that verification process is done, that's when you get the actual construction certification. That's the last step, then you get the plaque and you're completely certified.”

While the plaque marks a culmination of the Barber’s journey, the real story begins after the certification by transforming a passive house into a home. 

Kyle says that when the drywall is completed, paint will follow, and then soon after Engineered Clean Ash flooring, crafted by our sister company Pioneer Millworks, will be installed. “Then probably once we're done with flooring, the big push will be exterior siding.”

After the dust has settled, all of the mechanicals including heating and cooling, and appliances will get booted up to get the air circulating and to ensure that everything's functioning at a safe and optimal level. 

“There's a little bit of trim to be done, like interior doors and trim. We are a little bit behind on that, but that'll happen. We've also got a couple of areas where we are going to do Oak accent walls, and those will be Raked Oak also from Pioneer Millworks.”

After all of the planning, construction, late nights, and hard work, the final steps for the Barber’s passive house will be strictly for family fun. A pool will be going in the yard just off of the covered porch area, and then the biggest priority … a brand-new playground for the kids. 

“We grew up in Colorado, and we were always impressed with the different timber frame homes that we would see in trade magazines, and we fell in love with them. We thought that if we ever had the chance, we would build ourselves a timber frame home. As we got closer to retirement, I started to look for a company that we could partner with to turn our goals into a reality.”

After securing a plot of land in Sisters, Oregon our clients began to tailor the property to accommodate their legacy retreat. 

“When we started the collaboration with New Energy Works, I knew it was a very good partnership because their design process allowed us to bring in our 3D model and then turn it over to architect David Shirley. He was then able to review it and make recommendations.”

Shirley appropriated the client’s vision and transformed their sketches into a structural reality where form and function work together.

“When we neared the finalization of the design, we realized after spending the majority of the day on site that we were going to have to flip the house. It just wasn't going to work in the orientation that we had it designed. For me it was easy because I just selected all my layers and flipped them across whichever axis it was. Then, David made the house fit the lot better and work much better than what we had originally envisioned.”

“The biggest changes that David made had to do with the bents and the beam structure itself. Originally, we had drawn some simple, I think they're called king bents, where it has a solid bottom cord, a king post, and then two angled beams going out to the mid span of the ridge or roofline. He kind of scrapped that idea and came up with what you saw in the pictures, which is a lot more elegant and contains a little more character. Similar to the exterior, we went with the four-post design instead of a single post. David was able bring some magic to it and make it a little more than just the ordinary.”

The homeowners desire to be an active part of their home’s construction from the groundbreaking to the raising informed the collaborative nature of the project. To this end, they made the decision to Self-GC the house themselves and ensure that the build was exactly what they envisioned. 

“I have a degree in mechanical engineering. During college, I worked for the city of Fort Collins doing energy audits on homes. So, I got some exposure to home construction that way in terms of how to build an energy efficient structure. When we retired and built this home, I was the General Contractor again, but we took on even more of the project. We did the foundation, and then we hired a framer and his son to do the general framing. We also hired the roofers, and did the insulation, drywall, painting and all the finished carpentry, it took two years, but that was the exchange of our labor versus the time for hiring somebody. Then New Energy Works brought their team out and erected the timber frame in a couple of different raising events.” 

By taking on much of the work themselves, the homeowners were invested in every decision made, ensuring a comfortable home that met all of their needs. 

“My favorite space in the house is the great room with the window wall and big fireplace which turned out to be the focal point of the room. We then have this expansive view of the Three Sisters and Broken Top. When we were envisioning this home, it was always about, ‘How do we capture those views?’ That view is where the big window wall came in. On a clear day, you look straight out of there, even from the loft, and you got this great view of the north, middle, and south Sisters, as well as Broken Top. If you look to the right, you can even see Mount Washington.” 

Specifically crafted to complement its alpine surroundings, the home seamlessly melds architecture to nature. The views, the comfort, and the ability to craft an efficient legacy home that includes everything they desire is exactly the type of collaboration that we and our client’s treasure. 

“New Energy Works came in with the attitude of. ‘If there’s a challenge, we are going to overcome it’. Both Jonathan [Orpin] and David were good to work with, figuring out the most elegant solutions to making everything work out.” 

Our friends, Ed and Molly Shill had their Canandaigua barn featured in the 25th edition of Design NY. Read more below.

Ed and Molly Shill’s Finger Lakes area barn was built for function, form, and fun; a 4,400-square-foot multipurpose barndominium that reflects the past, present, and future.

The structure sits adjacent to the shore of Canandaigua Lake and nestles into the surrounding landscape like a long-loved working barn.

This contemporary build combines both professional and creative spaces and has one foot firmly in the past through its aesthetic choices. A cupola and weathervane crown the structure, a representation of the farm barns that marked Ed’s youth.

The goals for the barn’s design were numerous yet attainable; a meditative studio for Molly, who is an acupuncturist, to practice her craft, a place to store and display Ed’s classic cars, and several spaces to keep equipment and mechanicals for the property’s upkeep.

Marrying function with high-end detail, the barn expresses craftsmanship rooted in pastoral tradition. On the exterior of the barn is Pioneer Millworks reclaimed American Prairie Coral Board, providing the structure with a rustic curb appeal. On the interior is Pioneer Millworks' reclaimed mushroom board offering a singular look as well as durability.

With a robust granite and siding combination that provides the outside of the building with character, the interior is illuminated by custom lighting and a beautifully rendered timbers.

Abundant wood and light fill the barn’s six interconnected bays. The lower portion of the structure contains a kitchen to accommodate gatherings and provides ample space for storage and equipment. A substantial loft, a hallmark of our wide span timber frames, provides an elevated view of the custom finished hammer beam trusses and includes an expansive lounge area, as well as a separate meditation room. The doors that reveal this space were crafted by our NEWwoodworks team and adorned with custom brass “tree branch” handles.

Fulfilling a lifelong goal for the couple, the collaborative team of LaBella Associates Architect Dan Pieters, general contractor Steve Grossi, and the New Energy Works timber frame and interior design teams resulted in a multi-use, legacy building that is as special as its inhabitants.

Partners:

LaBella Associates

Louis J. Grossi Construction

Ray Sheley -R3D Media

Our friends at BuildMyBarndo.com featured our Half-Court Farmhouse project in one of their case studies. You can check it out here.

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Over the past couple of decades, the construction industry in America has begun incorporating a structural material that is both old and new: mass timber. As this building technology has proliferated, New Energy Works has evolved alongside it and incorporated mass timber into our work. We’re obviously huge fans of building with wood for a wide variety of reasons. Now with mass timber, there are more possibilities than ever. Here’s what it is, why it matters, and why so many architects and developers are embracing it.

What Is Mass Timber?

Mass timber refers to a category of engineered wood products made by bonding layers of wood together to create large, solid structural panels, beams, and columns. Unlike traditional “stick framing,” which uses small pieces of lumber assembled on-site, mass timber components are manufactured in a controlled environment and delivered ready to install.

Common mass timber products include:

• Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) – Beams or columns formed by gluing together layers of lumber with the grain aligned in the same direction. Glulam members can be straight or curved.
• Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) – Large panels made by layering boards in alternating directions and bonding them with structural adhesives.
• Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) and Dowel-Laminated Timber (DLT) – Panels assembled using nails or hardwood dowels instead of adhesives.
• Mass Ply Panels (MPP) – Similar in concept to common plywood, these panels are built out of many layers of wood veneer and adhesive.

These products create structural elements that rival steel and concrete in strength and stability, while offering unique architectural and environmental advantages.

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Strength and Performance

One of the most common misconceptions about wood is that it’s only suitable for small buildings. In reality, engineered wood products are highly predictable and structurally robust. Mass timber materials are made of layers of wood bonded together, and depending on how those layers are configured – how the wood fibers are interacting and reinforcing each other – the panel, beam, or column will have different strengths.

CLT panels, for example, distribute loads in two directions due to their cross-laminated configuration – the direction of the wood grain alternates each layer - making them ideal for floors and walls. Glulam beams take the same principal but the wood grain is aligned, allowing the glulams to span long distances – longer than traditional heavy timbers can achieve. These are often used in large open spaces like airports, gyms, and assembly halls.

Mass Timber and Fire

Mass timber also performs well in fire conditions. When considering fire-resistant building materials, wood may seem counterintuitive, but it actually maintains its strength better than steel when exposed to fire. Large timber members char on the outside when exposed to flame, forming a protective layer that then insulates the inner core and preserves structural integrity for a predictable length of time.

Metal structures, on the other hand, lose strength quickly when exposed to the high temperatures of a building fire, even though they do not combust. Since the heat travels easily through the metal, the structural integrity is compromised throughout (no “inner core” is protected) and the structure can collapse suddenly. The “sacrificial charring” that occurs in timber construction allows engineers to design buildings that meet stringent fire-resistance ratings.

Sustainability and Carbon Impact

The most compelling argument for mass timber is its environmental profile. At New Energy Works, we are guided by the Triple Bottom Line, a business methodology placing equal importance on people, planet, and profit. Part of the reason we work with wood and are excited about mass timber is that it provides solutions for construction while mitigating environmental impacts.

Concrete production is responsible for a significant share of global carbon dioxide emissions, and steel manufacturing is also energy intensive. Wood, by contrast, stores carbon absorbed from the atmosphere during a tree’s growth. When sustainably harvested and used in long-lived buildings, that carbon remains sequestered for decades.

Sustainable forestry practices are central to this equation. Many mass timber projects rely on wood certified by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes responsible forest management.

Additionally, because mass timber components are prefabricated, construction sites tend to generate less waste and experience fewer deliveries. That means reduced emissions from transportation and less disruption to surrounding neighborhoods.

Speed and Efficiency in Construction

Another major advantage of mass timber is speed.

Because panels and beams are manufactured off-site using digital fabrication tools, they arrive labeled and ready to assemble. This process—sometimes described as “kit-of-parts” construction—can dramatically shorten project timelines.

For developers, faster construction means earlier occupancy and reduced financing costs. For urban sites, it means less noise, fewer truck trips, and shorter periods of disruption.

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Design Aesthetics and Human Experience

Beyond performance and sustainability, mass timber offers something harder to quantify: an intrinsic human connection. There's a warmth that exists between us and this ancient building material. Exposed wood interiors create a biophilic connection to nature, which research links to improved well-being and productivity. Offices and schools built with visible timber often feel more inviting than their steel-and-concrete counterparts.

Architects also value the material’s versatility. Timber can be left exposed for a natural look or combined with steel, glass, and concrete in hybrid systems. The precision of CNC manufacturing allows for complex geometries and clean detailing. The look of mass timber components can be drastically changed by adding custom finishes like paints, stains, and textures. If you’re integrating glulams with traditional timbers, you can even grain-match the two so that they blend seamlessly.

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The Future of Building

Mass timber sits at the intersection of tradition and innovation. It draws on centuries-old knowledge of wood construction while leveraging modern engineering, digital fabrication, and sustainability practices.

As cities and builders face the need for faster, cleaner construction methods, mass timber offers a compelling alternative to business as usual. It may not replace steel and concrete entirely, but it is expanding our concepts of what’s possible.

Are you interested in integrating mass timber in your next project? Reach out to us to learn more about our services and how we can help implement this innovative material in your commercial or residential project. 

Or come find us in person: New Energy Works will be exhibiting at the 2026 International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon. It will be a great opportunity to discuss our mass timber projects and see what else is happening in the world of mass timber. Come see us at Booth #1007, March 31 – April 2.

Nestled in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Purple Haze Lavender Farm is a fragrant escape straight out of a pastoral postcard. Just minutes from the shores of Conesus Lake, the family-owned farm offers handcrafted lavender products, seasonal events, and a taste of rural hospitality.

Owner Noell Van Deursen’s journey to the farm began unexpectedly. “We bought a house about eight years ago. A few months later, it burned down,” she recalls. She explained that her and her husband  first connected with New Energy Works when they rebuilt, incorporating rugged timber beams. “While we were in the process of building the house, the 12-acre farm across the street went on the market, and we just scooped it up because we were worried about someone building a big, I don't know, campsite or whatever, right across the street from us.”

The property included a farmhouse, two aging barns, and a horse stable. One look at the first barn sealed her vision. “I really, really wanted to turn the barn into something cool.”

From the start, preserving the barn’s story was non-negotiable. Inspired by her parents’ restoration of a 13th-century castle, Van Deursen initially hoped to build around the original structure. But the cost and limitations proved impractical. She says, “It's not easy to build around an old structure, it's going to be very costly, and you are very limited in what you can do. So eventually we said, ‘Okay, let's just take this thing down but save as many of the beams as possible and then put them back in in a different form’. Literally the only company in my mind that could do that is New Energy Works.” They carefully dismantled the barn, salvaging as many beams and boards as possible to reincorporate into a new design.

“My husband and I removed every nail and cleaned every board,” she says. The reclaimed barn wood siding now forms a dramatic interior accent wall, while the original beams were sent to New Energy Works for restoration and redesign. New Energy Works provided several drawings and multiple layout options based on the salvaged timbers.

Some of the beams had been painted white decades earlier, and Van Deursen hoped their rustic character could be restored. “When everything came back, I was more than pleased. I didn’t expect it to look that good,” she says. “You can still see hints of paint in places, and it’s kind of cool. It tells the story.” 

The re-imagined barn, painted in purple, now anchors the 12-acre property, home to 450 lavender plants, small-batch lavender products, and a year-round bed-and-breakfast that welcomes guests and their pups to experience the beauty of the Finger Lakes. The second barn on the property has also been refreshed and will be painted the same signature color purple. 

The new structure balanced both function and charm. Downstairs houses a tractor, a workshop, and a wide porch where visitors can relax with a cool glass of lemonade. Upstairs, a loft-style gathering space replete with man-cave and a bar, showcases the rescued timbers in their new configuration.

A tale of old wood with a new purpose and at the Purple Haze Lavender Farm, the past is respected and the future smells great. Van Deursen recalls her experience fondly, “The New Energy Works guys were really good. Just great to work with.”

The LOTUS is a legendary two-masted wooden schooner designed by William Hand Jr. in 1916. She first sailed the open waters of the Great Lakes in 1917 and remained a strong presence there for years.

Beginning in 1971, the LOTUS was sailed by Sea Scout Ship 303 out of Webster, Rochester, and Sodus Bay, New York. Over the decades, she made port throughout Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and New York City, and became a highlight attraction at “Pirate Days” in Alexandria Bay.

In 2015, longtime captain Bob Ellis passed away. Without his leadership, scheduled maintenance lapsed and the vessel fell into disrepair. By 2016, the LOTUS was removed from service, requiring extensive structural repairs including a significant breach in the hornbeam above the rudder. She has remained out of the water ever since.

Determined to see her sail again, a passionate group of supporters worked to recharter Sea Scout Ship 303 and restore the schooner. Their efforts led to the formation of Friends of the Schooner LOTUS (FOTSL) in 2019, an organization dedicated to the vessel’s restoration and long-term stewardship.

New Energy Works’ Director of Timber Framing, Owen MacDonald, shares a personal connection to the LOTUS, “My uncle sailed on the vessel in the ’70s as one of the early Sea Scouts. My sister sailed on her in the early 2000s, and I grew up in Sodus Bay spending a lot of time around the boat.”

Years before New Energy Works became formally involved, MacDonald participated in early assessments of the vessel. By 2017–2018, it was clear the LOTUS required significant structural work. The project moved to Cayuga Wooden Boat Works on Cayuga Lake for restoration.

Severe deterioration of the keelson, particularly through a 12-foot section at the vessel’s center required removal of the keel assembly, including the 8,000-pound cast-iron ballast keel, which is through-bolted to both the keel plate and keelson above.

“A few people from the nonprofit knew I worked at New Energy Works,” MacDonald explains. “They asked if they could call on us if they needed help. Eventually Cayuga Wooden Boat Works reached out and asked if we could cut and shape some massive timbers for the rebuild.”

In early 2026, New Energy Works received several substantial white oak timbers for processing, including a 14" x 13' x 11" slab weighing approximately 2,500 pounds. Using their large timber saws, the team rough-cut the slabs to precise dimensions before returning them to the boatyard for final hand hewing and installation into the rebuilt keel.

Friends of the Schooner LOTUS was originally brought together in 2018 by David and Rose Fox and Tom and Martha Lightfoot, members of Sodus-area historic organizations who envisioned the LOTUS as both a centerpiece of local maritime heritage and a hands-on educational vessel for scouts, charitable groups, and the community.

The group rallied regional sailing and scouting leaders, secured legal ownership of the vessel, and established FOTSL as a New York State nonprofit. The organization now holds 501(c)(3) charitable status, positioning it to steward the schooner’s future.

Thanks to their dedication and the collaborative effort of skilled craftspeople and community supporters the LOTUS is on course to sail once more.

Watch a video with Owen here.

On a plot of land in Hingham, Massachusetts what appears to be a classic working gambrel barn from the outside reveals a bespoke entertainment space and regulation basketball court on its interior. Functionality is key as this barn can provide a full court press as well as refined dinner party for several guests. Dual outside porches and a loft offer specialized viewing platforms, while backlit custom timbers and black duct work sail through the trusses providing a contemporary appeal to a venerable form.

Renowned architect Patrick Ahern recalls the project, “So, we inherited an existing house, a relatively new, Georgian brick manor house that was kind of a replica house with some really terrible finishes on the interior. We gutted the interior of the house. It wasn't that old, about 20 years old, and we brought it back into style, and following that we developed a new pool cabana near the existing pool. The barn was desired to provide the clients with a dedicated exercise and gathering space. It has a functional point of view as well as a span-centric point of view which was important. From the outside you have no idea that it’s a sports barn, it could have been a working barn on the site before they built the manor house. I think it works really well.”

“We needed the barn to not feel like it was a dairy barn. We needed it to feel like it was an upscale barn and that’s why we selected the gambrel form to give it the clear ceiling height we needed for the basketball court. We had the ceiling height where we needed it, but also where it didn’t compete with the main house. That was an important piece. Then we used the dormers and clerestory lights to bring more light into the space while using the stone veneer on the base to anchor the building. Finally, the little farmer's porch which was done in post and beam gives you a hint of what the interior is going to be.

Natural light also floods into the space via the barn’s large double doors located on either side of the basketball court, providing both a biophilic blend and easy access to the surrounding property and outdoor sitting area. Capping the lower level on one end of the barn is a full kitchen and above it is a comfortable gathering spot to watch the action on the court or to sit with friends and family for food and beverages around the big screen television.

Ahern says, “Of course, the interior being a huge open space but also having the upper loft and hang out space really gave the structure an opportunity to be more than just a sports bar. They could have a dinner party for, you know, 100 people inside the barn. Which would be really cool because it has the kitchen and everything else. We did some tricks where we back lit the timbers and some other touches to give it some real appeal, which is nice.”

This barndominium isn’t just about functionality, it’s about the experience; deftly designed and built for both movement and making memories. The perfect combination of high craft and high-performance living, rural charm and contemporary taste. Ideal for active families, sports lovers, or folks that want to entertain or relax with ample space to do so.

Ahern concludes, “The work that New Energy Works produces before construction is always very helpful to get a basic understanding of budget, performance, and character because there are lots of ways to frame a barn. New Energy Works is very easy to work with as they provide a great service and do fabulous work in the field; and the installations are always spectacular. They provide very good CAD drawings that convey what the project is going to be like. So, we and our clients, can understand it really well.”

Architect: Patrick Ahearn Architect

Builder: Colclough Construction Corporation

Other Credits: Stahly Engineering & Associates, Inc., Greg Premru Photography

Every so often, a project comes across our plate that so aligns with what we do, it’s magic. Such was the case with Starfire Lumber Company, a keystone in the lumber industry, who came to us with an exciting opportunity. 

New Energy Works has worked with Starfire for years as a timber supplier. They supply lumber products all over the country and have been known for their quality since they began in 1983. They wanted to build a new corporate headquarters to replace a ranch house that they had been using for decades. Honoring the company history was an important part of the story for the new building, so heavy timbers and high-quality craftsmanship were going to be key. 

With a slate of timber framers to choose from, the Starfire team – including Sean Smith, President & CEO, and Curt Bodenstab, VP of Sales - called New Energy Works and had us come right down to discuss the design work. Without a doubt, that was a big honor. We established an easy rapport and Sean said that he could tell we were good listeners. 

After taking in the needs and ideas from Starfire, New Energy Works architect, David Shirley, AIA, CPHB, started designing a comfortable and efficient space that honored Starfire’s past, present, and future. While David ensures that every design he delivers satisfies the client, on this project he knocked it out of the park on the first try. 

Our founder & CEO, Jonathan Orpin, recalls, “once Starfire saw David’s first schematic, they said, ‘I can’t believe you caught it all. You took all our thoughts and words and made them better.’ This spurred us to work even harder to live up to those kind words and confidence.” 

Starfire provided a couple key points of inspiration. First, they of course wanted to showcase the beauty of timbers. To push this idea a little farther than usual and highlight Starfire’s quality product, David included branching post designs throughout the building to imitate trees. Lots of windows were included for ample natural light, providing both workers and visitors opportunities to see the timbers on display. 

The finished exterior of the building. 

Starfire also wanted to honor their community of Cottage Grove, which has been a good home for the company over the years. They asked New Energy Works to design with legacy in mind, to make sure that even after their tenancy in the space, the building would be something that could contribute to the town. The team made sure to ensure durability in the building, including protective features like a sprinkler system that went above and beyond code requirements. Finally, the building’s flexible core can be easily modified for other uses as time goes on, with a goal of making sure that the building will last for 200 years. 

Warm timbers overlook the open “bull pen” space. 

In addition to the timber frame, we were given the opportunity to design the interiors and specify materials for the building, which include siding and flooring from our sister company, Pioneer Millworks. Being so heavily involved throughout the design allowed us to deliver a cohesive final product, as well as bring responsiveness to the entire building process. As the project progressed and we spent time on site together with Starfire, they found they needed certain changes. With a comprehensive New Energy Works team in place, we could make those design changes in situ. 

“Starfire really wanted to bring the best to the job, which is a really nice kind of client to work with,” said David Shirley. “They were equal partners in making this project as good as it could be.”  

The building lobby further emphasize Starfire’s connection to forests and feature a photo of founder Francis D. Engle 

Starfire had one more special request. Their sign, bearing the bright orange star logo, had been with the company for years. The wear and tear meant that it was time to redo the sign, but in the spirit of honoring the company’s history, Starfire asked if New Energy Works could turn part of it into a conference table for use in the new building.  

The wood slab that made up the top part of the sign spent six weeks in the kiln at Pioneer Millworks to ensure that it had fully dried. Our timber framers built a table with insets for the slab, which was split in half lengthwise. Finally, once the logo slabs were placed inside, the whole table was topped with a solid piece of glass weighing 400 lbs. Now the “display case” table serves as another reminder of the company’s deep roots.  

“The people at New Energy Works have the industry knowledge and high level of craftsmanship that we were looking for in a partner,” says Sean Smith, Starfire President & CEO. “The level of support and value they’ve provided while working on this project has been fantastic every step of the way.” 

One of our core values at New Energy Works is “The Beauties of Wood.” We draw inspiration from everything it has to offer as a building material, including aesthetics, strength, and sustainability. Especially in this case, we are reminded of how it honors our history as well as the future. We are grateful to have a partner like Starfire that so clearly understands that and invited us to be a part of their story. Here’s to many more years of partnership! 

This timber frame workshop, a partnership with Appel Design Group and Vanco Construction in New Jersey, brought together New Energy Works timber frame and off-site constructed high-performance enclosures. ReImagine Buildings does a deep-dive into the partnership, the performance, and the process of this innovative method of construction.

hsbcad is a global provider of CAD/CAM/MES software solutions for offsite timber construction with the purpose of reshaping today's construction industry into a sustainable and innovative tomorrow. 

hsbDesign visited both our bi-coastal mills to talk about how we transformed our design-to-manufacturing workflow with hsbDesign for AutoCAD® and hsbView.

Check out the video below!

We caught up with our own in-house architect Kyle Barber for an update on the construction of his family’s high-performance passive home. If you are joining the blog midway through the story, you can read more with the Second Part Here and The First Part Here.

Each time we catch up with Kyle, he and his family are one step closer to completing their passive house goals. Barber shares, “The interior wall framing is done, the floor has gone in the walls have been insulated, and the membranes are on about half the house.”

“Over the course of this next week the framers are putting the service cavities up. Due to the thickness of the roof, they need to dense pack the insulation it to a certain density. So, because of that, the service cavity needs to go up to hold it all in and keep it intact before they can start to insulate.” 

“As far as the general timeline goes, rough-in’s go in next, drywall will follow in the middle of February and then in late February we will be installing wood flooring from Pioneer Millworks. Then in March ABODO siding from Pioneer Millworks will be installed.”

In addition to the aforementioned completed projects, Barber’s upcoming blower door test will stand as the crowning achievement for his Passive House. The Phius sanctioned blower door test is a standardized diagnostic evaluation created to measure a building’s airtightness. This testing is the critical element for a building to receive Phius Passive House certification.

Barber says, “The core tenant of passive house is low energy use and the way you get there is high levels of insulation and a very airtight structure. Right now, we are halfway through the high levels of insulation and we’re finishing up the interior membrane which will be the airtight part of it. After the airtight part of it is done, we can do the blower door test. We’re aiming for a certain minor amount of air leakage based on passive house standards.”

Barber explains, “The blower door test is, in a nutshell, a fan with a computer attached to it and it that fits in a doorway. The fan blows both in or out and it knows how many CFMs (cubic feet per minute of air) it’s pushing based on the inputs you enter into the computer about the house volume. You have to do two tests, one is where you pressurize the house and blow in, and then you do one where you depressurize the house and blow out, and then after you take the average of those tests. The fan understands the resistance, and it can calculate the air leakage. An obvious goal of the project is that there is a certain air tightness that we want to hit and that blower test is the first way to assess if we can.”

PHIUS standards and requirements are measured against a predetermined baseline, so you are able to compare projects to each other, and you can have an awareness of a target that has to be met. Phius requires results that are under 0.6 ACH50 (Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pascals of pressure) an agreed upon level that will both improve indoor air quality and reduce energy waste.

Barber continues, “If the number is higher than what we need it to be, then during the test we will walk around and try to find holes with a smoke pen focusing on the areas that we think may have problems. We’ll be able to watch the smoke move and follow it out, or see it being blown in.”

The task is then to find any prospective trouble areas and remedy them on the spot to tighten up the envelope. The hope is that any fixes will be minor and the Phius guidelines will be met. 

On the day that the test takes place there will be a Phius verifier onsite that will compile the data and provide Kyle with the information in real time before sending it on to Phius. There is both a design certification (prior to construction) and a final certification (after blower test) available through Phius.

Kyle’s house will be on the receiving end of both of these certifications when construction and testing is completed. By meeting these rigorous efficiency goals, Barber’s home will not only be Passive House certified, but confirmed to be safe, clean, and eco-forward in its design and build.

Our enclosure team braved the winter elements of Damascus, Pennsylvania to raise the walls of a secondary residence for our clients.

Neither snow, nor rain, nor working past dusk stays our enclosure team from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. This was especially true as our enclosures team of Max W (Champion), Sean H, Jon K, Ian G, and Jacob D (PM) flew our XP20 Wall, and XP38 Roof Panels through the brisk air ensuring an airtight and warm structure for the client.

This new home has a complex load path & air sealing strategy that took immense and focused installation sequencing by our team (see isometric diagram).

Our crew put up 26 first and second-floor wall panels , a second-floor load path (3 beams and 4 posts), and a third-floor load path (3 beams and 3 posts), all within one week, which requires an extremely methodical and efficient raising process.

The homeowner is excited about their new high-performance home and impressed with the progress sharing, “Amazing!!! I can’t believe how much they got done in one day, especially at these cold temperatures!”

An expansive 35-acre mountaintop estate built as a testament to love, life, and hope. Clients Todd and Hollie’s home is surrounded by unobstructed panoramic views, poignant timber geometry, and built of faith. 

This year-round hybrid timber frame provides elevated viewing platforms of the San Juan mountains, an artisan port cochere, and is a representation of triumph over adversity, collaboration, and an enduring love between the homeowners. The custom timber home stands as a representation of Hollie’s victory over her health struggles as well as the Alexander’s love and support for each other. The project epitomizes everything that we hold dear as a company: family, beauty, and longevity.

Todd says, “We started thinking eight years ago about having a place in the mountains to escape the heat down here in South Texas. We wanted a place close enough that we could comfortably drive to it in a day. Hollie’s uncle had a place in Pagosa Springs [Colorado] for several years that they used as a base for winter snow skiing trips. That got us thinking about Pagosa, and how it is a great little town that is drivable for us in one day.”

“As we started thinking about a house to build up there, we thought we wanted a log home, being in the Colorado Mountains and all that. After talking to several people, we quickly determined that a log home was not the way to go. During that time when we had subscribed to a timber and log magazine. That’s how we learned about timber frame homes, and hybrid timber frame/stick built homes.

Todd continues, “In August of 2017 we ended up closing on the piece of property. Our thought was to hold on to it for a while, until we got closer to retirement age and then we would start building. 

Well, fast forward a few years and Hollie was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer.  So, we made the call at that time that ‘we're going to build this house now because we don't know how much time we have left on this earth’.”

The Alexander’s were presented with a diagnosis that would discourage most from any future plans. But they are not most, and in their case, it encouraged them to not waste another moment – to make their dreams a reality without delay.

“I took Holly up to the site for ten days. We went in the dead of winter, the day after Christmas, to see if Hollie could handle the cold because that was the factor that was going to determine whether this would be a summer home or if it would be available for us year-round. We went out in snowshoes to look at the site and everything else. Hollie decided that she could endure the cold. After that visit we said, ‘Okay, we want to build a generational family home that can be used year-round,’ and that was the driver for the design of the house.”

Todd continues, “We had stacks and stacks of plans from websites and stuff that we saved and looked at. We went through the magazines and came across advertisements for New Energy Works. Soon after we reached out to Drake at New Energy Works. That led to meetings with David Shirley, who was the architect on the project, and Jonathan [founder/CEO of New Energy Works] as well. Collaboratively we began the process of building something in the small mountain town in the middle of Covid while facing numerous challenges from supply to labor. 

“I had found a plan on a website, from a different timber frame company that became the basis of the design and layout that we wanted. We sent that to David, and he used it as a springboard, and then we had several meetings where he was feeling us out to customize the design to meet what we wanted.”

The Alexander’s brought in a builder that they were familiar and comfortable with through Talamante Construction. Todd says, “He was involved in the design concept, which was perfect because he's built so many houses in that environment. He was able to help us as we worked through the design process.” 

The collaboration between the Alexander’s, Talamante, and New Energy Works was both sympathetic and understanding of the goals that needed to be met. All three principals were aware of the time constraints and how important it was to meet them.

Hollie shared, “I remember going over to M.D. Anderson and at that time when Covid was at its peak. But what was really hard was that I had to go in alone; Todd could not go into the hospital with me. So, when I met with the oncologist, I must have had a little guardian angel because my daughter's mother-in-law was the nurse in that department of the hospital, so she was able to support me and join meetings with me. But it was really hard because when I sat down with oncology they told me that I had 3 to 5 years to live. And I said, ‘What are my odds of beating it?’ And they said, literally, ‘Maybe 3 to 5%.’

“So fast forward again and here I am. When I went back in this past November it was for my last scan and they kicked me out of M. D. Anderson. The doctor said, ‘You’re good to go’. But the first couple of years were really hard…the radiation almost did me in. I couldn’t eat anything since it was on my throat.

But, that whole time, Todd, bless his heart, just kept pushing because I had told him at one point when we were up at the build site and looking around when the house was starting…I had told him, ‘You know what? If I have to die, I want a cup of coffee and I want to be out on our deck, and I want to look at this view. And then I can go, I'll be happy’. We were putting in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears trying to get the house done, thinking that I wasn't going to be here when it was finished. I don't know why I'm here. But I am, and I feel very, very, blessed because we absolutely love the house.”

Hollie reflects on the parts of her home that she loves the most, “Oh, that's easy for me: the living room and the back porch because of the view that we have. We can see the whole San Juan mountain range and it’s absolutely gorgeous, it’s our go to happy place. You can sit in the living room or outside on the porch and be completely at peace with yourself.”

In a time of great uncertainty in the world and at home, the Alexander’s drew upon their internal strength and hopes to not only beat cancer but construct a home representative of their victory. Their house now stands as a tribute to their dreams, and a tangible memorial to their triumph over adversity. 

Todd concludes, “From the time that we signed the contract with New Energy Works they were very attentive to our needs and they listened, especially David. Everything was seamless, especially with Covid and everything that was going on at the time. The entire experience with New Energy Works was just wonderful. I couldn’t ask for more and they stepped up to the plate during a hard time and delivered a phenomenal product.

Every February for the past decade county residents have taken part in the Melt Down, a fundraiser to support Yamhill Community Action Partnership’s effort to ensure no one goes hungry in local communities. New Energy Works and Pioneer Millworks are proud to be sponsors of this event!

https://newberggraphic.com/2026/01/08/yamhill-county-gears-up-for-2026-melt-down-grilled-cheese-fundraiser/

In part one about our East Coast design team manager Kyle Barber’s new home, we shared the beginning of Barber and his wife’s journey designing and building a legacy passive home that will ensure a safe life, free of harmful VOC’s and full of clean air and comfort for them, their kids, and generations to follow.

Recently, Barber and his team’s attention turned to “drying in” the home so that the slab and interior work could be completed. “The enclosure went up, then as soon as the roof went on, windows went in and we were dried in allowing us to do all of the layers for the slab.”

After closing the house in with a metal roof and high-performance enclosure (our weather resistant and vapor controlling open cavity wall system with 2X framing, 100mm layer of wood fiber continuous insulation, and pre-installed strapping), high performance windows shipped from Europe (supplied by Zola) were installed to complete the enclosure. Once windows were in, the concrete-free slab was able to follow. 

With the concreteless slab, you have to worry about water and rain on the plywood subfloor a lot more since its sitting right on top of the vapor barrier and can only dry to the top side. For this reason, Barber says, “We had to wait until we were dried in to perform this work.”

Barber continues, “The biggest thing that happened since last time was, we installed the foam under the slab. We have two layers of four-inch EPS insulation, so eight inches total. This will be the only foam in the entire project. Gives us about an R35 below our feet.

I had a bunch of paver base material called Stone Dust delivered. We brought it in with wheelbarrows as we needed it (there was already a layer put in before the walls went up). Then we leveled the whole thing carefully, screeding it with a screed board as we went. Once we’d done that, then we'd set a piece of foam, kind of step on it, and see how it felt. Then we’d put a four-foot level each way on the foam and adjust as needed piece by piece through the whole house. Once you get the first layer set, all the other pieces go right on top. The second layer runs opposite and off set, so the joints don’t line up. This helps some with heat loss through the joints but also helps to stiffen up the floor.”

The use of foam for the slab was a tradeoff that Barber was willing to make to replace the use of a concrete slab to lower the carbon footprint of the project. Barber explains “The foam was needed with or without the concrete. We wanted a wood floor on top anyway. The concrete slab became a superfluous layer. Now we will have a plywood slab made up of two layers of three-quarter inch tongue and groove plywood, screwed and glued to each other.

We put that foam down as level as we could, then on top of that was the vapor barrier. We got that all taped in and detailed to connect to the membrane on the walls to complete our air barrier across the bottom below the plywood. We installed some of the membranes on the walls prior. We had to do some prep work for interior framing so that wherever an interior wall was hitting the exterior wall we insulated that cavity, that stud area, and got the membrane attached. Any area that wouldn’t be accessible later we made sure we had insulation, membrane and tape. In an ideal world all of that work would be done prior to interior framing, but the reality of construction schedules is that you have to be a bit flexible and figure it out to keep things moving. One example was a foot band of membrane on the bottom of the wall so I could tape that to the vapor barrier underneath the plywood. That will later get taped to the rest of the wall once its insulated.”

Barber expounds, “After we did those membrane preps, we did the ceiling membranes so that the crew could put the interior framing up to the ceiling, without worrying about the membranes. They're doing the interior framing this week, then we can get in there with rough ins for electrical, plumbing, mechanical. So, when they run their interior framing, we've already got the stuff behind that filled in. The hope is late January, early February will be drywall.”

For now, the windows have been installed, the front porch roof is on, the timber framing from our very own skilled timber framers is done, and all the metal roofing has been completed. The slab foam and vapor barrier have gone down, and the plywood and interior framing has been started on top of it. 

Barber says, “I've got some windows to tape up still, and there's no front door installed yet. But, other than that, it's pretty tight. Once I get that door on and those windows taped up, we should be able to start to heat it up inside at least above freezing and get the roof insulated and sealed up on the underside”

As soon as the New Year hits and the dry wall is hung, the Barber’s house will be that much closer to becoming a home: a thoughtfully constructed and airtight building envelope that ensures operational efficiency, intelligent performance, and a relatively low carbon footprint. More importantly, the foundation will be set to fill the home with family, friends, and an eco-friendly future.

More to come ...

By: Sam Cole

Running a business is a balancing act – luckily, we have some friends who know a thing or two about building stable structures.

Back in 2023, New Energy Works founder and CEO, Jonathan Orpin, started a networking group called the Building Forward Collaborative (BFC). The BFC is a focused cohort of 10 small businesses in the design-build space, located in the Pacific Northwest. And, perhaps most importantly, they are all businesses dedicated to the Triple Bottom Line, a business philosophy that places equal importance on People, Planet, and Profit.

Last month, we had the pleasure of convening with the Building Forward Collaborative and couldn’t be more grateful for the time.

“Coming together with like-minded business owners like this is really powerful,” says Jonathan. “We’re all striving to run our companies with respect to the Triple Bottom Line, and having an opportunity to not just strategize together, but encourage and reaffirm one another – that’s huge.” 

The idea behind the BFC is simple: get together with these companies that not only operate in the same industry, but share goals and principles, spend time comparing notes and brainstorming, and ultimately become better businesspeople together. Each member company brings their own unique experiences and specific insights to the table, and through collaboration, remove obstacles for one another.  

“In a way it’s like builder therapy – you’re in a room full of smart and motivated people who share a lot of your same challenges,” says New Energy Works architect, David Shirley, AIA, CPHB. “Everyone brings their energy to really help one another, as well as commiserate on losses and celebrate the wins. You come away feeling equal parts exhausted and inspired.” 

The Building Forward Collaborative meets biannually, with hosting duties performed by a different member company each meeting. The structure of the meetings is designed to offer all participants an opportunity to share their latest news, but a majority of the time is dedicated to a deep dive on the host company. As the host for this particular November gathering, New Energy Works had the honor of being in the hot seat. Over the course of two and a half days at the McMenamins Hotel Oregon, we had the opportunity to present our stories, strategies, and challenges in depth to our esteemed peers, and receive their feedback and suggestions.

While the BFC is full of builders and architects who are always eager to discuss the nuts and bolts of construction, the focus is about business operations and how we all might function more efficiently and effectively. What this looks like in practice will vary, depending on the needs of the host company, but can include things like reviewing financials, discussing market trends, or performing a SWOT analysis exercise.

“We definitely came away with some new strategies,” reports David. “After hearing about some things that worked well for other companies, we are reworking some systems in our design process, with the end goal being a more satisfying experience for our clients.”

In addition to the brass tacks of business planning, there are of course extra-curricular activities built into every BFC meeting. As the host of this gathering, we were thrilled to provide a multi-phase tour that offered participants an up-close look at various timber manufacturing processes. Stops on the tour included the NEWBeamery where we do our timber framing work, our sister company Pioneer Millworks, as well as the facilities of our close partners and neighbors at Elk Creek Forest Products. 

And we couldn’t host an event like this in the Willamette Valley without showing off some of the world-class wine from the region, including a home-grown selection from our very own hobbyist vintner, David Shirley.

Thank you again to our friends and colleagues for joining us for another successful gathering of the Building Forward Collaborative. Working with you is a vital source of inspiration!

• A1DesignBuild
• Akos Construction
• Bicycle Homebuilding Company
• Birdsmouth Design-Build
• Dream Home Building and Designs
• G. Christianson Construction
• Six Degrees Construction Company
• Targa Homes
• Triple Bottom Line Construction

The current iteration of the Building Forward Collaborative is capped at 10 members by design so that each participant is able to contribute and benefit meaningfully. A second cohort will be starting in 2026; if you operate a design-build company out of the Pacific Northwest and are interested in joining, please reach out to jonathan@newenergyworks.com or buildingforwardcollaborative@gmail.com. It’s a challenging time for builders and small businesses, but by working together and building supportive communities, we can ensure a better future. 

Proud to be a part of Log and Timber Home Living's 2026 Timber Home Buyer's Guide with a feature on one of our favorite Adirondack homes.

The elegant symmetry of this lakeside estate is the centerpiece of a legacy camp that will house generations of family and friends. Melding custom timbers and metalwork, the home celebrates both strength and warmth. Centered around a substantial stone fireplace and towering window wall, there are ample views of the water and woods waiting to be discovered in every nook in the house.

The homeowner recalls, “I've always loved timber framing. My better half, Brian, has been out west and loved the style, look, and feel of the Colorado Mountain Lodge. When we decided to build, being in such a beautiful area in Northern Michigan, we thought, ‘oh, a timber frame would be a perfect fit for that kind of feel’, where it's majestic, but it's warm and it's cozy. 

We’ve been on the lake for decades. So, it’s really a kind of family compound. I have memories of the lake since I was five. I’ve got 29 first cousins, so we have a really large family. My cousins would come up every summer, and we would have obstacle courses on the beach and skiing, tubing, and campfires at night and really just a lot of good family bonding time.”

The formative family times spent on the property became the blueprint for the homeowner’s desire to create a thoughtful rearrangement of the grounds. With a bit of patience and ingenuity the vision came into focus for an expansive property that would include the parent’s cottage, the homeowners new build, and the connecting land that ties the entire complex together.

The homeowner continues, “My parents place, which is next door, was on a 50ft frontage lot, and we bought the lot to the west of them, which was 75ft. I had done an initial design on that line, and then the lot on the east side of their place became available. 

That lot had 100ft of frontage and a cottage. So, we kind of took a pause, and then reconfigured the size, space, and the cottage. What we ended up doing, though, was merging the 100ft lot with my parents 50ft original lot because of the building constraints and got exactly the lot that we wanted.

Then we moved their cottage. We shifted it to the west about 60ft, and to the 75ft lot that we bought initially to build our cottage. Now, we’ve got the green space in between the two cottages where we can play croquet, and we have the beach there for the fire pit. We reconfigured the whole site plan, to both maintain and keep my parents place, which when we moved it, ended up getting a little addition on the back so that it became a three bedroom, three and a half baths, with a new laundry room and new pantry for my parents. They've got kind of a renovated space and then we have our new “cottage,”, the second one, on the part of land to the east of theirs.”

Bringing together the homeowners design dreams, with an attentive architect, and New Energy Works timber frame craftspeople, a collaboration crystalized the grand residence into something beyond their expectations. 

“We had two architectural entities designing, because some of it's the timber frame and some of it is traditional framing. So, it was kind of a design triangle. Three of us, you know, collaborating. The real intent and the primary design elements that were important to me were a lot of natural light and the sightlines, like when you walk in the door from the roadside, and why we did the floating staircase, I didn't want a stringer blocking views. There were some complexities from a design standpoint because I wanted you to walk in and be able to see all the way through with a focus on the lake. Symmetry,  perspective, and scale, was really important to me.

When we began the process, we were living in Massachusetts. I had an architect there, Chris O'Connell. In fact, what we ended up doing, because I did the initial floor plan layout there, was when we moved from Massachusetts to Michigan, was to get Chris involved. 

I'm a mechanical engineer by trade. For me, from an engineering standpoint, I loved it. I loved designing it. You know, having the New Energy Works guys during Covid, which was another complexity, come and do the install and just the fascination of how it all came together physically, was amazing.”

How it came together was the perfect combination of high craft elegance and rustic comfortability. The cottage spotlights wide spans, curved timbers, and sight lines tailor made for enjoying the lake front with family and friends. A beautiful partnership that that paid dividends and became an expansive representation of love and family. With a towering stone fireplace at its heart and memories to be made around it, the legacy house is now an enduring home.

The homeowner concludes, “Now it’s like a family compound, where we have lots of outdoor space and with the two cottages next to each other, tons of sleeping space. I think we can get 32 people in bed and not with mattresses on the floor, but literally in bed. We have a lot of capacity.

This will be forever in the family, never sell it, generational longevity home. We'll be there forever. My kids love it and they're like, ‘Mom, our kids are going to be here.’ Which is why we built such a big place, because we knew what it was going to become. As generations go on, everybody expands, and you need a lot of space.” 

Partners:

Architect: Christopher O'Connell Associates

Builder: Mark Priest Builders, LLC, 

NEWwoodworks

GEBAU, inc. 

Jacqueline Southby Photography

Our friends over at Great Lakes By Design did a cover story on one of or favorite projects, the Great Lakes Chalet on Lake Lapeer, Michigan.

The manager of our East Coast design team, Kyle Barber, RA, CPHC, NCARB has recently swapped roles. While Barber is the architect for our client’s high craft home dreams, when he and his wife made the decision to design and build their own house, he got to experience the process he has immersed himself in from the other side.

Barber says, “It's hard to design your own house, because when you're designing other people's houses, it's sort of easy to say, ‘Oh, yeah, this is what you should do,’ or ‘Maybe you should do it differently next time.’ ‘Here's what you should do over here’, or whatever, right? For my house, it's like, ‘I'm only doing this once’. It gives me a whole new perspective, by being the homeowner, on what the homeowner goes through on that side of what we do.” 

“I'm the architect of record, I engineered it, most of it. I’m the GC. I'm a certified passive house consultant. And, this time, I’m the homeowner.”

A wearer of many hats, Barber began this massive undertaking with the goal of building a legacy home for his family. Barber is passionate about high-performance building and an advocate for using sustainable materials in the design + build environment. He strove to adhere to his beliefs while conceptualizing his own legacy home.

“I think the catalyst was that I'm at a point in my career where I understand what I think is the right way to build a house for health, comfort, and durability. This was really about providing a legacy home for our family and providing a house that I feel is not only comfortable, good looking, and long-lasting, but also ultimately long term and healthy in terms of the materials we're using and the air quality for my kids as they grow up.”

“My wife and I went back and forth on if we wanted to build a new home or retrofit an existing house. The environmental activist side of me said we should renovate our existing home and not build a new house. There was another part of me that said it was going to take a lot of money to get to get it where we wanted it to be, doing a renovation. It was a big conversation in our house for a long time”

Their family deliberation concluded that to make a long-term home what they needed, the obvious choice was to build it from the ground up exactly to their desires and specifications. 

Barber continued, “There was a big part of me that said, okay, I think I can live with the carbon footprint of building a new house because I know that the housing stock is lacking already. So, with my skill set and my knowledge, why wouldn't I add a good building to the housing stock? Right?”

“My wife has been on-board just as much as I have, which is a blessing for me. Because she understands the value of the way we build and the value of good indoor air quality. She has an environmental engineering background, so she's done air quality assessments, commercial properties and things; she gets it.”

There’s added value of peace of mind that the Barber’s will have engaged a known commodity by a team that they trust that will ensure a home is efficient and safe. To do this, Barber and his wife set and confirmed a couple of nnnegotiable objectives for the project.

“All the window rough openings are not foamed. I'm just packing it full of insulation and taping the joint. I'm also using as little caulk as possible. Part of that is about reducing VOC’s, but part of it is proving something about not overusing caulk and spray foam. So that's one goal. That's why I wanted to go for passive house certification is to substantiate that you can do this.”

“The other goal is to be low carbon and to think about that when we're working through all of the details. We always wanted to do slab on grade, but we wanted to minimize concrete because of its carbon footprint. The foam under the slab is foam. BUT it’s the only foam on the project. I’ve been calling it almost foam free. The important thing is the foam allowed us to get rid of the concrete slab and overall was a lower carbon decision.

Barber expanded on the thought, “There's a concrete slab detail that's been gaining a little bit of traction in the industry, and while it’s not completely new, there are some builders doing it and it's something I've been wanting to try for a while. The idea is that for a slab on grade house, your concrete slab has no real structural value. It's just sitting there, it's acting more just like a barrier, like an air barrier. I realized that with the right detailing, you don't need the concrete slab at all.”

“So, we decided to try it. The foundation is thick layers of foam and then two layers of plywood. And that's the subfloor. You put a vapor barrier above the foam underneath the plywood and the foam acts like it's a plywood slab basically. It just floats there, like your concrete would. It’s almost like a base under a stone patio or stone pavers. We're leveling it, and then we'll set the foam. Then the foam gets stacked and then the vapor barrier goes over top of that, then the plywood goes over the top of that sitting on top. There's a little bit different detailing, but it eliminates all that concrete carbon footprint.” 

Fundamentally, the foundation and the core of the house were the most important elements to Kyle and his family.  There were other factors both structurally and aesthetically that had to take a back seat to making sure their efficiency and safety goals were achieved through the concrete-free foundation and a high-performance enclosure.

“The enclosure came at a premium. From the very beginning we said that the enclosure is what it is. Everything else is variable. But the enclosure, is a large part of why we're doing this.” 

These are just the beginning stages of an intensive process that Barber has ample experience navigating. With an high-performance enclosure erected and the eco-forward foundation to follow, one thing for certain is that the house will be efficient, safe, and constructed for long term living.

Stay tuned ...

We love reclaimed stories, especially ones that put a contemporary twist on a historic past. The Curtis Manor property in the port city of Oswego, NY is a tale that we are thrilled to have taken a part in. This job is a testament to the enduring relationships that we build through the design and build of our bespoke timber frames. (Check out video of the raising here)

 The owner of the property, Tony Pauldine, worked with New Energy Works on an addition for his home almost four decades ago and immediately thought of us when the time came to erect a pavilion for his reimagined and expansive event property.

Pauldine recalls, “I had Jonathan do an addition for me about thirty-five years ago on my home, and then I got involved with Curtis Manor, this wedding venue. I wanted to have a large pavilion built. I was very pleased to be able to call New Energy Works again, and you were able to put together a design and proposal that we loved and were able to install it to our specifications.”

Curtis Manor is a former dairy farm located amongst the apple orchards on the shoreline of Lake Ontario. In 2017 the property was in a state of neglect and purchased by Pauldine. He immediately saw the promise and history in the property and embarked on a two-year renovation. The end goal was to refurbish and update the property while being sensitive to its storied past and longtime community standing.

The iconic location was instantly provided a new life as an upgraded and fully operational wedding and event facility.  The expansive property is able to accommodate most any event and features several high-end indoor-outdoor event spaces across the pastoral acreage just moments from Lake Ontario.

Acre by acre and piece by piece the property and facilities were given a facelift. One highly sought after addition following the first years of operation was the inclusion of an outdoor pavilion large enough to accommodate additional wedding ceremonies, corporate events, and family gatherings. 

Pauldine says, “I was really pleased New Energy Works pricing was affordable, and we were able to contract them to erect the new pavilion. We did all the site work and the concrete work; and the Stampcrete we used was kind of a brown color, so we had the timber frame stained in a way that would complement that.”

The pavilion’s consistency with the other facilities on the property was the key to success both aesthetically and functionally. The goal to retain the pavilion’s rustic flavor while still providing modern amenities was partially accomplished by building with heavy timber.

Pauldine says, “It's a large open pavilion. We currently have a wedding venue that has a ceremony room, then we opened up a much larger wedding venue on the same property that did not have a place for ceremonies. So, we decided that we were going to put up this large pavilion. It’s about 28’ x 62’, and it'll hold about two hundred and twenty people. In this coming year, we're going to build a nice entryway. We'll have a pond dug and it'll have fish and landscaping around it with some walkways up to a bridge over the creek, to the other side. There will be a walkway that leads from the bridge to the pavilion for ceremonies.”

Once the planning stages for the pavilion were finalized, and foundational work was completed, the timber frame team arrived and began on raising the timber frame structure. 

“The New Energy Works guys are very professional; they really know their business. They got right down to it. They are great laborers and a great crew.

New Energy Works did a very nice, arched beam on the front of the pavilion. They curved it and gave it a little bit of additional height and a nice pitch to the roof. Now, we're just waiting for the weather, but we're going to do a standing seam metal roof like we have on the other buildings on the property.

The timbers are Douglas Fir with a bit of a stain. It wasn't a solid stain. It was semitransparent, I would say. A cool stain that gave a nice color to the pavilion and will work with the color of the metal roof that we're going to be putting on, as well as the look of the stamp pad.” 

Once work concludes on the pavilion there will be yet another picturesque piece in the nature-centric wedding facility.

Pauline concludes, “Hopefully it'll add to our total development, this beautiful new pavilion, and it'll be very appealing to our clients. So, when we invite brides onto the complex, this is just another added value that we can offer.

Everything about the project, from working with the office, the designs, and the back and forth was great. Once they had the raising scheduled it really went pretty flawlessly. The design and execution had no issues at all. Very, very happy; fantastic work.”

Timberstead is an efficient and thoughtfully sized home designed to complement its Finger Lake focused hills and lily-pad pond setting. Featuring an abundance of wood, including vertical PEFC-certified larch siding, reclaimed teak flooring, and custom finished Douglas-fir timbers, as well as an off-site-constructed enclosure system, this high-performance house highlights the beauty of wood, the homeowner’s detailed material choices, and the property’s natural splendor.

The homeowner says, “We wanted something substantial because we don’t live in a dainty area. We wanted a really solid feel. We wanted the sense that the house was stable and not ornate. Natural beauty is what we really were looking for. Timber was the answer.” 

The property is comfortably nestled on a high hillside meadow and is indiscernible from the surrounding vineyards, conifer trees, and rolling fields. 

She continues, “The biggest part of it is that I wanted to respect our surroundings. I always feel that a home should complement the area that it’s in. And there's so much natural beauty in our area. So, we  wanted to blend in with it and work with that.”

The best way to bring their biophilic vision to life was to find a company aligned with their vision while also being flexible and willing to collaborate. 

“It was about two years of design and edit for the home before we even went to New Energy Works. I always joked with the builder, ‘don't bedazzle the house’. Just let it show off its natural beauty. To be honest, we thought a timber frame was going to be way out of our budget, so we were really excited when we could make it a reality.”

Staying true to their vision of assimilating into their bucolic countryside, not only were the bones of the house going to be heavy timber, but it was also going to be filled floor to ceiling with the beauty of wood. The timber frame was custom finished pulling from the diverse hues of the surroundings as well as the various substrates used in the build. The joists and trusses were raised efficiently by our team of craftspeople and provided a solid framework which the enclosure and siding could collaborate with successfully.

Pioneer Millworks salesperson A.J. Henion adds, “The combination of the Pioneer Millworks siding and flooring would look amazing on any project, but they are at their best when paired with timber elements. New Energy Works did an amazing job on this home with a finish that matches the Fossil color of our Larch siding.”

Steiger says, “I wanted large vertical wood siding. That was a key proportion for me. I did not want horizontal siding; I didn't want any kind of vinyl. I really wanted something that reflected the environment. We used Pioneer Millworks Larch siding for the exterior, and then for the interior wood floor, we went up to the showroom, and we saw the reclaimed teak that Pioneer Millworks had. It wasn’t a species we had anticipated, but it worked out perfectly.”

The resulting high performance and wood-centric home is comfortably wrapped in, “Enclosure walls from New Energy Works, which honestly could not have been easier. And if you look at the design, there are 28 exterior corners on this house. Wow, what difficult and amazing work.” 

Our enclosures team crafted the walls offsite, collaborating with our engineers on exactly what was needed for each piece. The multi-layer wall system includes wood fiber insulation and vapor barriers to create a high-efficiency envelope around the timber frame. Raising the walls is much like raising the timber frame, requiring thoughtful sequencing prior to and during installation, but is a much more streamlined process than stick building. 

For us, working with clients who have a clear vision and intent  for their legacy home can be just as exciting of a collaboration as brainstorming from scratch. 

The homeowner concludes, “New Energy Works respected our design; they collaborated with us but didn’t try to change what we wanted into their vision. They had a lot of respect for my vision of the house. They were amazing.” 

Architect: Eleanor Riant, Designer

Builder: Diliberto Construction

Stahly Engineering and Associates, Inc

Pioneer Millworks

Scott Hemenway Photography

Set to open in the Spring of 2026 is the new Joseph P. Mack ’55 Catholic Center and William and Mary Christine Carpenter Catholic Chapel at the University of Rochester.

Following several years of planning, with funding from over 450 donors, and navigating numerous logistical challenges, the project has reached the final stage – the end is in sight.

The facility is intended to represent the over 1,800 Catholic students on the U of R campus, while providing a sanctuary for people of every background and tradition.

The goal of the campus’s master plan and the new complex is to enhance opportunities on campus for greater engagement regardless of religions faith or orientation. This new facility will provide additional ways to foster spiritual growth and a more enriched communal experience for faculty and students.

New Energy Works has played an integral part in the expansion of the Catholic Center providing a timber frame structure, and structurally insulated roof panels, for the building. 

We are honored to apply our craftsmanship to the new timber-centric foundation for an enhanced University of Rochester experience, providing new opportunities for campus faculty, staff, and students to gather together while constructing strong bonds of faith, friendship, and community.

CPL Team

LeChase Construction

“We didn’t want a log home, but we wanted something with some character to it. We saw a few examples of timber frame homes and we chose that,” says homeowner Ray Cardella. 

“We not only saw them in person, because there’s a few around here that we were aware of, but we’d also look through magazines and online,” Janet Cardella adds. “We scoured the timber framing magazines and Log Home and all that other fun stuff to get a good sense of what we wanted.”

Perched on the point of a woody peninsula jutting out into the tannin-tinged waters of Sixth Lake in Inlet, New York, the Cardella’s hybrid timber home recalls the vernacular of the famed Adirondack Great Camps.  Surrounded by forest preserve lands, the home, and accompanying boathouse nestle next to the shoreline in a symbiotic relationship. 

“We started the process pretty early in 2018 initially with the builder because getting a builder up here is a difficult thing and I wanted to reserve his time knowing we wouldn’t start anything for a couple of years,” says Janet. “The builder had worked with New Energy Works before, or was in the process of working with you on a couple of other projects and suggested that we reach out to you guys relative to some of the timber framing that we wanted done.”

“We knew we wanted a look that was hybrid timber frame, not a full timber frame, not something that was all wood,” says Janet. “We wanted to make sure that it was light and bright and also took the most advantage of the views that we have along with the lake frontage. We spent some time with Owen and some others at New Energy Works and talked about what we were looking for and worked with DMC architecture to make sure that what we desired was structurally stable.” 

In January 2020, the work began in earnest. Janet and Ray decided to start with the boathouse in order to help spread out some of the costs associated with the build, and also to “help solidify some of our exterior decisions,” says Janet. “There is timber framing that New Energy did on the boat house as well. The gabling and things, so it looks very cohesive with the house itself.”

“We just loved the look of heavy timber, actually. It’s hard to describe. We appreciate all of the detail and the craftsmanship that’s associated with it and the fact that you can get exactly what you want,” says Janet. “The options are really endless. We just tried to take advantage of it blending into the surroundings, but also having something that’s unique. With the colors that we picked for the outside, plus the timber framing it just melds into the landscape.”

Following the completion of the boathouse, construction on the main house began. Like all of the New Energy Works raisings it was a multifaceted operation and one the homeowners enjoyed. “When they did the raising of the main floor, it was just astounding to watch, how quickly and how well New Energy Works all worked together to get it done in a really short amount of time given the amount of timber framing that there is. We were really surprised at how quickly it went,” Janet says. “Everything fit together perfectly.”

“One of the challenges is that it is a hybrid timber frame, so the New Energy Works team had several raisings, and it had to be very well coordinated with the builder,” says Ray. “They put the timber frame in the basement first so that they could build off of that and then they went to the main floor and dining room, and the builder would do some work around that, and then they came back again and do the exterior.” 

“So,” Janet added, “there were three actual raisings.”

Janet took on many of the interior and exterior design choices for the house, ranging from well-placed wood and bark elements to the specialized siding on the outside of the home. The interior of the house is oriented around the towering great room that provides a regal view of the lake and woods, while surrounded by the heavy timber trusses that extend out to the huge porch space that levitates above the calm Adirondack waters.

A substantial stone fireplace and custom crafted wrought iron railings are elegant collaborative elements with the heavy timber. “We incorporated the railing into the second floor overlooking the great room and we look up at that timber framing and the iron and the wood, and how it all comes together…it’s amazing,” says Ray.

 “We’re extremely pleased with how it turned out, every aspect of it. It’s beautiful,” says Janet. “The timber frame makes the house much more unique than it would be otherwise. To sit here in the great room and to look out the windows and see the view and to appreciate the seamlessness of the timber framing. It’s like its one flowing piece going from the great room and out onto the deck; it’s hard to describe, it’s really spectacular.”

“I think the great room is the star of the show,” Ray agrees. “If you look from the second story landing down into the great room, you can see all of the details of the timber framing and the craftsmanship of the frame.”

“The design was great, New Energy Works was very open to suggestions if we had any during the planning process,” says Janet. “Everybody who came on site was wonderful; the whole crew at New Energy Works has been great. I would easily recommend them, and we have to other people who have timber frame dreams.”

The homeowner says wistfully, “I call it the moon house. Whether it's a full moon or new moon, it is just absolutely beautiful. Because of all the windows and the openness of it, it just brings the starlight in, or it brings in the moonlight. It's just spectacular at all times of day.”

Silhouetted against a mountain backdrop that looks like an impressionistic painting, this clean, alpine influenced timber frame combines regional aesthetics and artisanal touches. The homeowner is an aesthete, and the home reflects her artistry in its design intent and functionality.

“If  you ask me, the house celebrates the love of the wood, and the structural elements are really  doing a great job combining the house structure with the beauty of the wood in a way that’s sound and, in a way where you can bring in kind of as many design elements as you want.”

Being a creative, the homeowner loves combining and using different types of substrates in her work, and in turn, her home. She has an affinity for wood, metal, and glasswork and says, “Those materials go through my artwork; I do fused glass, I absolutely love glasswork, and I love doing metalwork and combining the two. So, you see that [in the house] with the wood to the metal, to the stone, and to the glass, with all of the windows.”

“That's just kind of where I gravitate as an artist, so you see that on the outside. You know, I have been doing my research and seeing a lot of the different companies over the years, and one of the things that I noticed with New Energy Works that really connected with me was how their design has a little bit of a European style.”

Similarly to her artistic exploits, the house is a collaboration of creative aesthetics, individualized elements, and the homeowner’s personality. Using the wilderness backdrop as inspiration and the home as a palette, the house expresses a multitude of creative intentions.

The homeowner recalls, “I attended the big log home timber show in Denver, so, I talked to several companies. Again, I just kept gravitating to New Energy Works. And when I was in Portland, I'm like, oh, my gosh, they're right here where I live. It turns out Jonathan's house was less than three miles from where I lived in Portland.”

“I met Jonathan and he put me in touch with David, NEW’s Portland architect. We really hit it off. He showed me Jonathan's house, to get some ideas going. I think we were kind of fortunate in that he was able to visit my house in Southwest Portland, so he really got the opportunity to see my space there.”

“What I liked about it, is that he saw the colors and everything, but he also got a real feel for the space. I like to entertain; I like to have people over. I like kind of a casual, comfortable, relaxed vibe to it. My houses are not formal, I'm definitely not formal. So that gave them a lot of insight into, you know, really who I am.”

Our West Coast architect David Shirley says that New Energy Works pulls the house that’s inside of you out and shows it to you. That was certainly the case with this project where finding out who our client is, was paramount to understanding the type of house we could build for them.

“My background is also in design engineering, I do industrial facilities, I'm a mechanical engineer; David shared a lot of his concept sketches, and I know that's not typical, because most people don't understand the bubble diagram, and your flow diagrams and all that. I have to overemphasize it was a true collaboration between us. It really was,” the homeowner recalls fondly.

“We used to laugh about how we would set up meetings and they always ended up being 2.5 hours. And it was almost always like a happy hour, because we're both super busy. Sometimes it might have been with the beer on the side or something, but it was always 2.5 hours. I'm a big fan of design, build. I think bringing in the custom design element with the actual timber framer is a really important collaboration.” 

The partnership between David and the homeowner paid dividends. The home’s vibe features elements of the homeowner’s creativity, artistic approach, and personality, but with a functional structurally appropriate to New Energy Works heavy timber foundation.

“I see a very clean European style in my home. And what I see in most of the designs, I would say they are not over complicated, if you asked me how some of them can be really kind of ostentatious, it does not have that vibe to me. 

The home’s crisp charm reflects a design intent that is unwilling to be placed into a certain descriptor or category. Its development is so inherently personal that it can only be assigned to the homeowner who lives within its walls.

It’s peaks and valleys reflect the alpine slopes on the horizon line; its sight lines emit a warm glow; and its honeyed timbers invite creativity and elicit comfort.

“I love my bedroom. The guestroom, you know, all the guests absolutely love it. They have a special space. My home celebrates the love of the wood, and the structural elements are doing a great job of doing that. Combining a house structure with the beauty of the wood, right? It's welcoming on all kinds of different levels, no matter the mood and no matter the company. It is a piece of art. It's definitely a piece of me.”

Architect: New Energy Works Design

Other Credits: Tamarack Grove Engineering, Nathanael Ward Photography

Our friends at Mountain Home featured one of our favorite West Coast projects in a case study on their site.

https://www.mountainliving.com/a-modern-timber-frame-lakeside-cabin-in-south-central-oregon/

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.

Through a fulfilling collaboration with Buffalo Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo, eco_logic, and Buffalo Construction Consultants, a singular and contemplative space was developed. A space for both patients, workers and families, to gain a respectful respite from their trials, whether related to work or loss. It will also be a place for celebration and hope in the face of such trials.

Connors says, “We worked with hospice. We wanted to find out what their program was and what kind of events they wanted to. It started out a little larger than what we have now. This was kind of the sweet spot in terms of, what they can accommodate out there, what their needs are, what their, their budget is.”

Connors recalls, “It's sited in a way that they can have a big event ,that they do right on campus called “Late of Life,” which have the holiday time. People will purchase a card with their loved one's name on it, and it goes on a Christmas tree that they bring in and install on that property. For an event like that, they could have several hundred people. So, the pavilion is sited and kind of graded so that the landscape becomes an overflow around the building on the front side. People can be in it and also outside looking in on any kind of a presentation that may take place there.”

New Energy Works came into the equation through our previous relationship with eco-logic and our love of building not only bespoke structures, but lyrical frames that tell a story and that are as powerful as the places they will inhabit and the people that will visit them.

Connors says, “I think wood was kind of the first thing that we jumped to because we've done the two projects with New Energy Works, the Inclusion in Motion Pavilion in Canandaigua and the carousel project in Buffalo. They're just stunning projects, both of them. So, we naturally thought of New Energy Works and going with timber. It’s not foreign to the surroundings and sort of the architectural vocabulary. It's a kind of comfortable little bit of a craftsman influence. It fits in with that pretty well.”

Scott Pitek, Project Designer and Manager at eco_logic agrees, “The use of timber fit with the context, with it being along nestled on the edge of the woods and wetlands, more fitting with the natural surroundings.”

The Stuart Gellman Family Pavilion’s timber design assimilates into its pastoral landscape while eliciting a biophilic feel. The structure is tinged with a light Oriental aesthetic through its large overhangs and roof lines providing an additional feeling of Zen. The combination of location, nature, and therapeutic design intent collaborate to create a multipurpose pavilion that acts all at once as a tribute, shelter, and personal sanctuary for employees, family, and friends.

Please contact the Hospice Foundation if you would like to learn more about the Pathways of Remembrance campaign here.

By: Sam Cole

Hello! Sam Cole here, reporting in as the new Sales & Marketing Support Specialist at New Energy Works west coast operations. I’ve worked in “industrial marketing” for many years, starting with a forklift attachment manufacturer and most recently a provider of grid-scale energy storage systems. It’s been a fun niche to find myself in -- I really enjoy working with companies that A) make something, especially when I can walk out into an actual fabrication facility and watch the magic happen; and B) work closely with clients to address their specific needs. I’m excited to dive into the world of heavy timber and learn about a whole new industry. 

Why New Energy Works? Having gotten to know the company and its people a little bit, I find that New Energy Works combines several things I’m passionate about: craft, community, and sustainability. 

While I may be mostly a writer & digital media kind of person, I’m also a huge fan of physical crafts and maintaining connections to traditional methods of making & building. (By the way, I have recently signed up for blacksmithing classes.) I’m massively impressed by the projects in New Energy Works portfolio, and it’s awesome to be able to watch our timber framers at work. Plus, woodworking smells good!

Coming from a renewable energy company, I was really interested in finding my next role with an organization that somehow fits into sustainability. We all know and love timber as a renewable resource, so that was an easy indicator for me to look at when studying New Energy Works. But having learned more about the company operations, it’s clear that sustainability is simply built into our DNA. It’s fascinating to join New Energy Works at a moment when mass timber is on the rise. I’m excited to see how we are participating in that conversation and advocating for construction practices that are carbon sequestering, effective, and aesthetically pleasing.

Last but not least, I really appreciate how New Energy Works is committed to community. It shows up in a variety of ways, including how we work with our clients, how we engage with our industry partners, and how we commit to our coworkers (ie: being a 100% employee-owned company through an ESOP.) It’s one thing to be a provider of sustainable services & materials, but being a triple-bottom line company and evaluating business decisions based on the effects to people, planet, and profit brings business to another level. I’m glad to see New Energy Works doing it mindfully.

It’s only been a couple weeks since I joined New Energy Works, but it has been a packed couple of weeks, full of all the training and onboarding you might expect, as well as events inside and outside of the company. Altogether it has been an excellent crash course on what to expect. I’m looking forward to more!