Transforming Visions into Reality: Experience & Expertise in The design & Building OF BESPOKE HOMES

HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED

Meet Collin Beggs

As a craftsman and designer, I straddle the worlds of art and craft. For the past 30 years my dedication to the built environment has been unyielding. I'm continually humbled by the deep history of our lineage and what was created long before me. By honoring ancient pattern languages and seamlessly adapting them to modern life, we create homes that express your values and aspirations, while directly uplifting your quality of life by surrounding you in beauty.

Training, Credentials and Continuing Education:
Timber Framers Guild Board of Directors.
Timber Framers Guild Annual Conference Presenter .
City of Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commissioner.
Northmen Guild Teacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92YHBBa9JM8
Traditional timber frame workshop host and teacher.
Study and practice of historic restoration.
Yestermorrow Design Build School.
Center for Furniture Craftsmanship.
Port Towsend School of Woodworking.
The Heartwood School.
Laurie Smith traditional architecture of England and Wales.
Karl Bareis traditional architecture of Japan.
Jack A. Sobon design and craft training.
Pat Wolfe design and craft training.

Specific things emerge from an apprenticeship approach to building that can’t be matched with pure academics: adept hand skills, sensitivity to wood types and individual timbers, and an intuitive understanding of proportion and design.

Expressing the strength within each tree is nearly a lost art now, but preserved through craftspeople who take the time to learn the intricacies of woodworking and timber framing.

Meet the Team

“I have finally found my way to a lifestyle of building that merges the grounding nature of timber framing with the relevant awareness of efficient building practices and an unmatched passion for craftsmanship.”

Greg hails from Upstate New York, where he has grown a deep appreciation for skilled trades. Throughout his journey, Greg's path has been one of diversity and a thirst for challenges.

After a period at West Point and four years in the US Marine Corps, he ventured into residential framing as an apprentice in Oregon and Santa Barbara, California. His educational pursuits led him to obtain a bachelor's degree in physics and briefly teach high school. However, his innate calling for building beckoned him back to the construction world, where he delved into high-end residential remodeling around the Los Angeles area.

Upon obtaining his general building license and eventually establishing his own business, Greg's fascination with historical building practices and his taste for craftsmanship was evident. However, his transition to the Collin Beggs team marked his true homecoming, merging timber framing with efficient building practices in a way that resonates deeply with his values.

Greg's interests in building forms and mediums encompass a wide range when it comes to his passion for the craft. He finds fulfillment in creating structures that are in harmony with their environment and offer comfort to those interacting with them. His dedication to constructing enduring and structurally sound buildings reflects his commitment to responsible building practices, forgoing short-lived structures for those that stand the test of time. Greg's attraction to timber framing is rooted in its harmony with nature and unwavering strength and beauty over the years.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Greg's interests know no bounds. Collecting math, science books, and historical artifacts fuels his intellectual curiosity. He is an avid long-distance trail runner and a woodworking and hobby welding enthusiast. He finds solace in anything that involves animals and nature.

In his work, Greg places a premium on professionalism and mutual respect. He seeks to cultivate an atmosphere of learning from one another and sharing knowledge, fostering an environment where growth and collaboration are paramount.

MEET Greg Frye, Project Manager

MEET DAVE “CHOPS” DELEEUW, Lead Carpenter

“I just plain love timber framing.”

With a remarkable journey in the timber framing world, Chops has become an integral part of our team. His passion for this craft has shaped his notable work history and achievements, making him an invaluable asset to our operations.

Chops began his timber framing journey with a transformative workshop in Costa Rica in 2005. After joining the team with Collin Beggs the same year, he honed his skills and became an expert in raising frames over the next 18 years. Further expanding his expertise, Chos mastered snap-line scribe and medieval geometry in 2010 and has attended numerous workshops and conferences. His dedication to continuous growth led him to a week-long door-building workshop in July 2020 at the Port Townsend Woodworking School. His passion for timber framing and commitment to excellence make Chos an invaluable part of our team.

Chops displays his love for timber framing in every project he undertakes. He finds joy in the deliberate pace of the work and the process of transforming raw timbers, sometimes even pieces from the firewood pile, into meticulously scribed crucks. Each step is thoughtful, and the joining is done with utmost intentionality, resulting in a beautiful, slightly asymmetrical masterpiece.

Chops has an adventurous spirit outside of work. He is all in, whether sliding down slopes on a snowboard, hitting the trails on a mountain bike, riding motorcycles, or navigating various boats. He is happiest when he gets to do these activities with his family.

A commitment to doing things right is at the core of Chops’ work ethic. He understands that every project he works on will stand the test of time, regardless of his efforts. Therefore, he puts his heart into every detail, striving for excellence in all that he does.

We thrive because Chops brings so much passion and dedication to our team. With his expertise, our timber-framed homes capture the true spirit of craftsmanship and artistry.

“‘When a certain kind of person confronts a certain kind of beauty, he is either saved or ruined for life, or maybe a little of both.’ Although referring to flyfishing, this quote by John Giergach pretty much sums up my deep-rooted and passionate connection to the craft of timberwork.”

Dave began his timber framing career after 15 years in the marine industry in New England, restoring vintage wooden boats ranging from skiffs to schooners. He cut his first timber frame while taking a break from boat work on an island in Maine.

Twenty-five years later, Dave is still cutting timber frames in the forests of North Idaho after spending nine years as an organic farmer. Dave is still cutting timber frames in the North Idaho forests, where his intrinsic affinity for crooked trees allows me to use the word bifurcation regularly.

When he is not working, you can often find Dave engrossed in various activities such as birding, woodworking, paddling his carefully restored wooden canvas canoe, adjusting derailleur hangers on his gravel bike, or gracefully skiing along the traditional cross-country track. He is constantly in search of adventure and fulfillment.

MEET Dave Brown, Lead Carpenter

“Each project requires us to embrace it wholeheartedly, diving into every facet with unwavering commitment.”

Charlie Riter joined the Collin Beggs Design Build team in January 2023 and became an essential member. He brought a unique perspective and a determined commitment to pushing the boundaries of carpentry beyond what is considered ordinary. While his initial carpentry knowledge was modest, his fervent appetite to create homes that defy convention is insatiable.

Charlie resides across the long bridge in Sagle, where he and his wife, Mel, find their world enriched by the company of their two cherished dogs, Bug and Timber. You may find this delightful quartet in the shop or on our job sites. During his leisure moments, Charlie often disappears into the beauty of the scenic panhandle on his bike, seeking adventure in the region. When he's not biking, he's embracing nature through hiking, fishing, or tending to his property with boundless creativity.

With a diverse professional background, Charlie transitioned from a successful tenure as a PGA Teaching Professional at golf courses in the Columbia River Gorge to becoming a photographer specializing in fine art film photography. He honed his attention to detail in the meticulous realm of photography, which sparked a deep passion for the growing craft of carpentry. With just four years of production-style framing experience prior to joining Collin's team, Charlie arrives as a blank slate, brimming with eagerness to grow. He offsets his limited experience with infectious enthusiasm and a firm "not with that attitude" mindset.

Charlie's notable work thus far includes helping Collin and our team build the Petznick home. He recognized the project's distinctiveness and wholeheartedly embraced it, even though the house was only halfway to completion. He showed unwavering commitment by diving into every aspect of the project.

MEET Charlie Riter, Journeyman

“It is our duty to take pride in our work and carry it out in a way that honors the craft of people who have come before us.”

Jesse brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. With a notable work history in green building and passive standards, he honed his carpentry skills through various roles, from formwork to framing and finish. His true passion for timber framing led him to our team in 2022, where he's been an invaluable asset ever since.

At work, Jesse takes pride in crafting homes with intention and purpose. He finds joy in creating designs that harmonize with the local landscape, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Learning from our team and the wider carpentry community fuels his desire to grow and excel in his craft.

Outside of work, Jesse's adventurous spirit shines. You'll often find him exploring the beauty of North Idaho, whether bow-hunting in the mountains, fishing for trout in serene lakes and rivers, or hitting the slopes during the snowy season.

At the core of Jesse's work ethic lies a commitment to excellence. He believes in executing every task with the utmost dedication and skill. Respecting the traditions of our craft and the knowledge passed down by mentors, Jesse carries forward their legacy by delivering quality work that stands the test of time.

With Jesse on our team, we find inspiration to embrace craftsmanship and create every project as a true masterpiece.

MEET JESSE WITTWER, Journeyman