ABOUT US
At Ashland Post and Beam, we believe that using heavy timber in buildings comes with several benefits. Being able to see the “bones” of the building gives us an inherent understanding of how the structure works and a resulting sense of comfort. Timber frames and trusses provide beauty and visual interest, increasing the care that occupants put into their homes and increasing curb appeal when it is time to sell. Timber frames are built to last (many hundreds of years if properly maintained) and sequester large amounts of carbon, honoring all the work that the trees put in to growing. Heavy timber acts as a firewise structural system, reducing the likelihood of building collapse and providing more time for occupants to escape and firefighters to work.
Matt Hunter
Founder / Principal Timber Framer
Matt was first introduced to timber framing in Santa Fe, NM as an extension of his study of natural building and permaculture. A move to Oregon and 8+ years in the industry had him working his way up from novice to shop foreman and lead timber framer at SwiftSure Timberworks. Being thoroughly familiar with all the responsibilities and aspects of timber framing makes Matt an excellent choice for his clients, starting with initial contact and design to fabrication and complete installation.
Kieran Taylor
Timber Framer
Kieran’s first love was dirt, a love for trees soon followed and last but not least, machines caught his eye. Kieran grew up and went to school. He got a degree in Computer Science and sat in front of a screen for long enough to know better. Having worked in a timber shop in Maine while going through school, he knew something brighter lay beyond the office door. Invited by a friend to join Swiftsure Timberworks in Talent, Oregon in 2011 he leapt at the opportunity. Kieran then began a journey of truly becoming a timber framer. Swiftsure was a demanding shop for whom perfection was the only goal.
He studied under Matt Hunter, Rene and Tim Allen for several years eventually teaming up with Matt under the roof of Ashland Post and Beam. Kieran rebuilds old woodworking machines and maintains new ones. Kieran never lost sight of his first true love and is currently regenerating the soil (turns out that’s what you’re supposed to call dirt) on a little mountainside homestead in Southern Oregon with his wife Valkyrie, offspring Ashen and a passel of rescue dogs, rabbits, chickens and one cat, Rosie The Unjust.
A Note About Our Connection to SwiftSure Timberworks:
SwiftSure Timberworks was the first timber framing shop in Southern Oregon. It was a learning shop in the sense that not many people knew anything about timber framing when they started there. SwiftSure was where a few of us at Ashland Post and Beam learned the craft. It was a place where precision was highly valued and that meant staying on your toes as we worked our way through increasingly complex projects over the years.
SwiftSure closed their doors in 2017 so that owners Tim and Shona Allen could retire from the day to day and focus on family. Tim continues to do some design work from a home studio. We at Ashland Post and Beam are tremendously grateful for the support the Allens have shown us through the years, as employees, then competitors (briefly) and today as collaborators. Several images in this website are from SwiftSure Timberworks projects in which Matt played a leading role in project implementation (used with permission).