Private: Barney
Carpenter
Interview with Barney
If you had to pick one, which is your favourite Carpenter Oak project and why?
Probably the first building I ever worked on. I volunteered on the construction of a village shop in 2009. It was a great introduction to the world of natural building and I have been involved in it ever since – I am still in touch with most of the people too!
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Rock climbing, sea and river swimming, surfing kayaking and spending time with family.
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Driving around a section of the North Circular in London for a 14-hour shift recording traffic jams
What is the best comedy film ever made?
It used to be Honey I Shrunk The Kids until Home Alone came out a year or two later and totally rocked my world!
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Cala Barques in Mallorca is pretty hard to beat.
Biography
After doing a geology degree and travelling for a short time in South America I did a U-turn and got involved in woodland management in West Sussex. It was a natural progression from there to building things with wood and over the next ten years I became progressively more involved in timber framing and all other aspects of natural building. I was very lucky that a move to the South West with my family in the spring of 2018 coincided with an opportunity here at Carpenter Oak.
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Graham Butler
Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2002
Interview with Graham
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Frizealach House, near Glenuig – a thirteen week project which I led on a tricky peninsula jutting out to sea. Oak frame outside, Douglas fir inside, nice client, lots of interesting follow on-stuff, swimming at lunch.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Outdoorsy stuff – climbing, sea kayaking, open boat paddling trips especially. Family get-togethers, bonfires, camping, sleeping in extreme places, bivvying, van trips and playing with wood and metal.
If stranded on a desert island, which three people would you take and why?
My wife (cleaning/washing up etc – don’t quote me though) My old mate Pink – a cool dude in most situations Dolly Parton – for singalongs around the fire
Which three people would be in your dream carpentry team and why?
Ian McCloud, Jaime Ward, Sam Turley – interesting, travelled people with lots of framing skills
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Playing father Christmas at a local youth club
What music do you listen to?
I have a selection of middle of the road bands on my phone, but enjoy other people’s music collections – music can definitely instigate a mood.
What is the best comedy film ever made?
Waking Ned (British comedy usually has me in stitches)
What do you enjoy most about working with wood/oak?
The ease with which you can fashion something that could potentially still be around in a thousand years’ time.
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘You’ll only get a 500 year guarantee if it’s an oak frame’
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Home and Glenisla, then the Cuillin Hills, Skye
Biography
I’ve had 45 practical years in industry, starting life as an apprentice welder through maintaining a reactor plant, to access work on dams and high rise flats. Married, had two kids, remarried Jackie, opened a smithy for seven years. In 2002, in my mid-forties the opportunity to learn carpentry arose through Carpenter Oak – still learning all these years later. Never once looked back with regrets. I try to keep the electronic world as a periphery and have never lost interest in the seasons and the natural world.
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Steve Houston
Team Leader
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2010
Interview with Steve
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Palm House for the Edinburgh Art Festival as it was a bit different and good fun to work on. Trebuchet for Outlaw King kept me fit lugging big timbers and running on the wheel.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Going on adventure with the family, playing guitar and piano.
If stranded on a desert island, which three people would you take and why?
Crocodile Dundee, he’s pretty handy in the wilderness. Neil Young for entertainment around the campfire, my mate cos he’s not had a holiday in a while.
Which three people would be in your dream carpentry team and why?
The Hulk to lug all the heavy stuff and roll timbers, David Attenborough cos he looks like the kind of guy that could make a good cuppa and he’d have lots of stories to tell, Pythagorus to do the thinking and check my maths.
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Cleaning hire kilt outfits after wedding parties – find allsorts
What is the best comedy film ever made?
The Big Lebowski/Home Alone
What do you enjoy most about working with wood/oak?
Making something you can take pride in
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Rottiemurchus/Loch Morlich
Biography
After a childhood of being dragged around ‘interesting’ buildings I grew to appreciate and respect the structures around us. Some were good to climb around on too. Living around Edinburgh opens your eyes to lots of interesting sights. Got into framing by chance to help a friend. It was amazing to be making structures similar in ways to the structures I had admired growing up, plus I get to climb around on them.
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Nico Laurent
Team Leader
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2005
Interview with Nico
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
The Barn, a balcony curved in plan and elevation over two floors. I liked it because it was out of the ordinary and tricky to make
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Hill walking, rock climbing, riding my motorbike.
If stranded on a desert island, which three people would you take and why?
My best pal Geatan for fun, Bear Grylls could be handy, Billy Connolly for entertainment
What music do you listen to?
AC/DC, Captain Beefheart, The Clash
What is the best comedy film ever made?
The Life of Brian
What do you enjoy most about working with wood/oak?
The warmth of the material, the fact it’s renewable and that with basic tools and your hands you can transform it into something practical and beautiful.
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘Theory is a treasure whose practice is key’
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Fairy Glen, Skye
Biography
At the age of fifteen, influenced by my father, I decided to follow an apprenticeship as a timber framer in the Compagnons, a French trade school. I’ve been learning for the following eleven years, by travelling over France, changing yards every six months to see different ways of framing and taking evening and weekend training, doing models and drawings. Over this period, I went for a year in Sint Marteen in the Caribbean, to learn how to build storm-resistant structures. I had to stop framing for a year to serve in the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment where I did my time in New Caledonia in the South Pacific. In the last year of my training, motivated to learn English and through a friend who worked for Carpenter Oak, I came to Scotland, originally for a year’s experience, in 2005. I was offered to stay, so I’ve been working in Scotland ever since, enjoying the yard and the country.
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Alex Boulger
Project Consultant
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2016
Interview with Alex Boulger
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
I used to do a lot of event work back in the day, and once spent a whole day chasing a giant tube of toothpaste, while dressed up in what can only be called a green and white thunderbird costume (the colours of the toothpaste)
Who you think you look like?
Have been called Booker T by some since I was 20, but that relates to an electric bill where they got my name wrong rather than the WWF wrestler of the time who is 6 foot 6 and has muscles on top of muscles. I have also been compared to Gary Barlow, but they had been drinking…
What music are you currently listening to?
Freestylers, We Rock Hard – it hasn’t failed to put some bounce in my day for almost 20 years, Skepta to keep it grimy and embarrassingly in the car this year I found myself enjoying a song only to find out after that I am officially a “Belieber.”
When not in the office, what do you enjoy doing?
Spending time outdoors with the family and trying to explore as much of Devon as we can fit in
What is the best comedy film ever made?
Hot Fuzz has me in stitches every time I watch it.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Anywhere with my family.
Bio
I was born in the Middle East when my Dad was working as an engineer and came back to Blighty when I was four years old. I spent my childhood growing up in a leafy town in Hampshire before leaving home to study. Four years of trying to force myself to enjoy the course failed and I left without a degree and worked in a cocktail bar for a year, which was great for fun but not for your health. I drove a white van for another year and worked in Events before deciding to find a way to the city. A few years working in sales for Barclays before turning to the dark side and getting into recruitment. I spent the next ten years mastering the dark arts and set up my own business. Then all my dreams came true and I discovered Carpenter Oak, where I look forward to spending the next twenty years.
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Matt Ralph
Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2015
Interview with Matt Ralph
Which is your favourite Carpenter Oak project?
Husabost/Bennett – built an interesting roundall roof, great site location on the Isle of Skye with some ace clients
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen’ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Biography
Surrounded by timber framed buildings as a child growing up on my parent’s farm in the Weald of Kent made a lasting impression on me. Moving into timber framing seemed like a natural choice aert completing a City and Guilds qualification in 2014. Great people, interesting work – I feel lucky to have found Carpenter Oak.
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