Ed Shure has nearly always known that he would follow a career that allowed him to make practical, beautiful things. To that end he studied fine art and mechanical engineering, and completed a machinist certification program. Until a working visit to Scandinavia in the early 1980's revealed to him his true calling, Ed worked variously as an apprentice toolmaker in Kawasaki, Japan, mold maker in Hong Kong and Harley Davidson mechanic.

Since founding Timmerhus in 1984, Ed has completed over 130 structures, many of his own design. He was editorial advisor for Log Home Guide Magazine and has taught, lectured and demonstrated his innovative techniques in timber and log construction for the Timber Framers Guild of North America. He encourages clients to build site specific, ecologically sound structures using renewable wood sources and reclaimed salvage materials whenever possible.

elevin@valley.net

In 1969, Boston native Ed Levin graduated from Dartmouth College and got his start in timber framing dismantling an early 19th Century barn in Norwich, Vermont. He raised his first new frame in 1971 and for the next decade and a half operated a small timber frame business based in Canaan, New Hampshire, before embarking on his present career as a frame designer.

Ed is a contributing editor of the journal Timber Framing, has written extensively on joinery and engineering, participated in many Guild projects, and done pioneering work in historic reproduction, and on curved framing and compound joinery. In addition to residential construction, Ed frequently works on public spaces including school buildings, theatres, women's shelters, ski lodges and covered bridges.

Ed's work can be found throughout North America and beyond. He is proud to be a founder and loyal member of the Timber Framers Guild. He and his family make their home in Hanover, New Hampshire.

David Ashley is an internationally known designer with extensive knowledge of both commercial and residential buildings. Trained as an engineer, David's early work was in service of the family business, Laura Ashley, Inc., where he was responsible for the design and construction of 150 of their shops in the US and Canada and 20 in Japan, as well as the design of several restaurants in Japan. The shops won David's team several historic restoration awards. In addition to designing for Laura Ashley, David has designed for Perry Ellis, Penhaligons and Willis and Geiger. He has also been actively involved in the design and development of several small luxury hotels in America. David has worked on numerous Timmerhus projects over the past 13 years, preferring to work on small, traditionally built buildings either in log, timber frame or stone.

Paul Froncek, AIA has been an architect in private practice since 1982, and has built a reputation designing custom homes throughout the United States.

Mr. Froncek studied architecture at the University of Minnesota from the last of a group of ecologically resourceful idealists known as The Cranbrook School Modernists,. He apprenticed with Mike McGuire, Taliesin trained architect in Stillwater, Minnesota, and with Doug Kelbaugh, passive solar architect in Princeton, New Jersey, and currently Dean of Architecture at the University of Washington. Both were part of the first wave of the green architecture movement of the mid 70's.