Finch
Woodworks is a custom
Design+Build company located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. We specialize in the design, construction,
and repair of timber framed structures for commercial, residential and historic
projects. Timber framing is a 2,600+
year old tradition of joining wood to wood without metal fasteners. Instead, the intersections of the structural
elements are connected by a pegged mortise and tenon joint. The longevity of timber framed buildings
throughout Asia, Europe, and early North America is a testament to their
durability and appeal. Timber framing has always been a “green” construction
method: we use wood that took 100 years
to grow and create a building that will last 300 years or more – that is the
essence of sustainability.
DESIGN
We
approach our work from the standpoint of the Aristotelian “architect”: the one
who aspires to know both the how and
the why of the object. For us, the design process is never far from
the building process; the what to be
built is always informed by the how
to be built. This approach considers the
strengths and weaknesses of wood and how to best utilize them to create a work
of grace and efficiency.
We can begin from a napkin sketch and a
conversation or we can work with existing drawings to implement timber elements
in a preexisting program. We frequently
work in conjunction with architects, builders and owners to facilitate ideas
and design within a given budget. Whatever
your needs, Finch Woodworks understands the value of clear communication and will
work with you to define and realize your ideas.
We seek a balance of appropriate technologies in our work,
and are constantly finding solutions from both medieval and modern times. We often incorporate classical drafting
techniques – circular or “daisy wheel” geometry – as a means of designing
structures that are mathematically proportional and based on an underlying
geometric order. The possibilities of
complexity within this system are endless, but require only a compass and
straightedge to produce. As a
complement, we also use a 3D CAD program to model the frame from the
geometrically derived working points.
These models provide an opportunity for everyone to see the project more
fully and consider the spaces and volumes long before anything is built. Conveniently, these models are easily
transferrable into professional quality architectural line drawings which
become the basis of the construction documents for planning, permitting,
pricing and building.
BUILD
Once the design is completed and
approved, the process of transferring the ideas from paper to wood begins. We take great care in selecting timbers of
appropriate size, quality and species.
We enjoy the technical challenge of working with Nature to find natural
curves and unique pieces which stretch our abilities, highlight the frame and
resolve structural forces in the building.
By utilizing the layout methods of several different timber framing
traditions, we are able to join any number of timbers together in any number of
relationships. Incorporating both modern
and ancient tooling and techniques, we shape the mortise and tenon joinery to
precise tolerances in our 2,000 sq. ft. workshop. Once the joinery is cut, we pre-fit all
assemblies and plane and oil the timbers.
The completed frame is carefully delivered to site and erected by us in
a matter of days – we call it “old school modular”. The raising is the grand culmination after
several months of planning and cutting; it is always a memorable day for both
the builder and the client. We continue
the process with complete General Contracting services, as the project requires. These may include project management, frame
enclosure, whole home building, and other specialty woodwork. We are committed to providing exceptional workmanship
on-time and on-budget.
About Us
Finch Woodworks is owned and operated by Jordan Finch. After graduating from the Great Books Program
at St. John’s College in 2000, I
began a two year apprenticeship with Vicco
Von Voss, a German-trained furniture maker in Chestertown, MD. We built custom, commission-based pieces of
contemporary design with traditional wood joinery out of fine hardwoods which
we milled ourselves. During this time
Vicco and I learned timber framing by attending workshops held by the Timber Framers Guild, constructing two small
shop buildings and beginning his own home.
It was here that I came to appreciate the entire process of building
from a tree to the finished form. A
desire to participate in the long line of master builders grew inside of me and
I sought the highest level of craft that I could find. My involvement with the Guild proved invaluable,
allowing me to connect with several talented timber framers and companies throughout
the East Coast. For the next two years I
worked as an itinerant to develop my skills and learn in the field from others
in the trade.
In
2004 my wife and I settled in Virginia, started our family and Finch Woodworks
opened its doors. We now have three
beautiful children, a wonderful shop and many happy clients throughout the
mid-Atlantic, Southeast and mountain West.
I continue my involvement with the Guild by being on the Projects
committee and teaching workshops. I am
proud to share our developing body of work with you and I am grateful to all
who have helped us develop our craft. My
goal
is simple: to grow as a craftsman and to provide the best work possible.