Working on something as small and handcrafted as this coaster project gives me a renewed appreciation for the magnitude of effort behind mass timber design. At the intimate scale, you feel every decision—the grain, the weight, the precision—and it becomes a reminder of how much technology, coordination, and creative thought must align to bring large-scale timber projects to life. That contrast in scale reinforces both the beauty of the material and the complexity of the systems behind it, grounding the work in a deeper sense of craft, intention, and respect for the process.

Just a small token of appreciation from the woodshop — something to keep your favorite bourbon bevy chilled while you think of TJPA.

Thank you to my clients, colleagues, industry partners, and friends for making 2025 a truly great year. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.

A special thank you to Brad Agdern at BA Shopworks for the incredible craftsmanship, and to Jannik Winterbach with Global Timber SA for the fantastic timber mill footage.

Sapele is an excellent choice for sustainable wood use due to its combination of environmental responsibility, durability, and visual appeal. Harvested primarily from well-managed forests in West and Central Africa, Sapele is available through TLTV and VLO-certified sources, ensuring responsible forestry practices and regeneration. Its high density and stability make it a long-lasting material, reducing the need for replacement and minimizing waste over time. Sapele’s rich reddish-brown tone and fine interlocking grain provide the aesthetic warmth of traditional mahogany while offering a more sustainable, renewable alternative suitable for furniture, millwork, and architectural applications. Plus, it’s just fun to work with.

mass timber platform