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My interest in building and woodworking began in my
teens with a summer job helping a local contractor do small
remodeling jobs. Although I learned a lot about 2x4
construction and enjoyed my experience, I was not fully
satisfied with the fast pace and lack of personal attention. I
knew that there was more.
My parents immigrated from Spain. As a child, I spent a lot
of time in norther Spain at my grandparents’ 400 year old
home. Their house had character and history -- there was
nothing artificial about it. It was built entirely of stone,
timber and wrought iron. These materials and the spaces
they created made me feel good. My father, a structural
engineer, instilled a practical dimension to my growing
appreciation of high quality building. In addition to insisting
on natural building materials, he also insisted on strength.
After graduating from high school I went to work as an
apprentice in a boat building yard in the Spanish province
of Cantabria. A year of building and repairing classically
designed fishing vessels solidified my love for working with
wood. Upon my return to the United States my parents
asked me to build them a house. At that time timber
framing was enjoying a resurgence in New England. I
was immediately drawn to its Old World characteristics of
tradition, beauty, and fine craftsmanship. My parents’ new
house evolved into a classic timber frame.
That was 20 years ago. Ever since that time, timber framed
building has remained close to my heart. Although
circumstances led me away from woodworking for
some years, today I am grateful that circumstances have
changed again, and allowed me to return to my first love.
David Fernandez.
teens with a summer job helping a local contractor do small
remodeling jobs. Although I learned a lot about 2x4
construction and enjoyed my experience, I was not fully
satisfied with the fast pace and lack of personal attention. I
knew that there was more.
My parents immigrated from Spain. As a child, I spent a lot
of time in norther Spain at my grandparents’ 400 year old
home. Their house had character and history -- there was
nothing artificial about it. It was built entirely of stone,
timber and wrought iron. These materials and the spaces
they created made me feel good. My father, a structural
engineer, instilled a practical dimension to my growing
appreciation of high quality building. In addition to insisting
on natural building materials, he also insisted on strength.
After graduating from high school I went to work as an
apprentice in a boat building yard in the Spanish province
of Cantabria. A year of building and repairing classically
designed fishing vessels solidified my love for working with
wood. Upon my return to the United States my parents
asked me to build them a house. At that time timber
framing was enjoying a resurgence in New England. I
was immediately drawn to its Old World characteristics of
tradition, beauty, and fine craftsmanship. My parents’ new
house evolved into a classic timber frame.
That was 20 years ago. Ever since that time, timber framed
building has remained close to my heart. Although
circumstances led me away from woodworking for
some years, today I am grateful that circumstances have
changed again, and allowed me to return to my first love.
David Fernandez.
