Guiding Principles 
Simplified approach.
The best buildings are often the most simply designed and built. To
complicate the process of building makes it a specialized niche not within the realm of the people
the buildings are to serve. UTF strives to create an opportunity for the motivated layperson to
become inspired and empowered to be involved in the building arts.
Sustainable food and shelter creation is the focus.
The designs and structures of UTF take
the 7 generation approach to building: Can this project be created in a way that will not impede
someone 7 generations from now from living to the same standard of living and quality of life that
I enjoy now? Is this project designed and being created in such as way that it could be created
identically in 7 generations? Are we as builders being as resource-conscious as possible to
ensure the sustained existence of the natural communities in which the material have come
from? To work towards this last goal, we:
Replant for all used resources.
As builders who use cut trees, move soil, drive daily and
unknown other high impact, and nearly unavoidable, actions, we become responsible for the
natural communities of these resources and materials. It is our belief that if we cut a tree for a
timber, or order one from a sawyer or lumberyard, we become responsible for the forest in which
that tree was providing important ecological functions. This is part of our next guiding principle:
Engaged ecological and forestry activism.
As much as we can do as a company, it is much
too little to combat the over-exploitation of forests and other ecosystems. Many excellent
organizations deal with the policy issues, education and advocacy opportunities and resource
management decisions. UTF has memberships with many of these (see links) and remains
involved and supportive of the missions of many of these groups.
Commitment to sustainable forestry.
While we have cut and harvested trees for our projects
on occasion, it is not yet feasible to do it for all. More often than not, employing a competent
sawyer, logger and/or forester is necessary and appropriate. We search out those with a
commitment to sustainable practices (see links for description). In addition to just avoiding clear-
cutting, we seek the experts in the field who are concerned with the long-term health and vitality
of the forests not just as “the place where trees come from” but also who are selective of
harvesting to maintain and improve wildlife habitat, willingly leave many good trees to provide a
strong seed source for future generations, leave alone place of great beauty and/or difficult
access and finally those who readily employ oxen and horse teams for the removal of logs.
Affordability.
Healthy gardens, homes and barns are, we believe, as much a human right as
water, air and nourishment. Allowing eager and motivated individuals and families to save money
and learn the processes associated with such rights are important to UTF. Any capable and
motivated human being should be given the opportunity to keep building costs down by
participating.
Limit power tools.
Both hand tools and power tools have their place in the building arts.
Knowing when each is appropriate is important and too often overlooked. We strive to work
comfortably and safely while enjoying the conditions in which we work. Sometimes a quieter
worksite is desired or needed for safety, leading to an appropriate situation fro hand tools. Often,
repetitive work can be greatly facilitated by power tools, which are often more gentle on the
workers body and more often that not are much quicker.
Safe, minimally mechanized raisings.
Like power tools, cranes may have a place for safe and
fast raisings of timber frames. However, they have many drawbacks as well. Less people can
safely be involved, Labor becomes very specialized, the cost per hour makes being rushed and
working in unsafe situations the norm on many modern timber frame raisings. The embodied
energy of the crane itself and fuel to run it are immense. Lastly, many situations cranes are often
used in are uncalled for. It has become the expectation that a crane will be used, taking away
from the old time community barn raising. UTF strives to reestablish the joy and community
participation of a hand-raising whenever safely possible. We have created an OSHA approved
generalized raising script which can be tailored to each project.
Reading the forested landscape.
Understanding the forest in which trees/timbers come from
is essential to proper stewardship. The ecological succession patterns, understory species, land-
use history and previous impact are all important to understand. This comes only from time spent
in the forest. In addition, selective harvesting of certain trees and species is one of many
important techniques for reestablishing ecological balance and working towards restoration.
Incorporate biofuels.
Many exciting fuels have become readily available in recent years to
run both vehicles and machinery. UTF will incorporate biofuel use, and likely production, when
time allows…
Code of ethics for subcontractors.
While the business of UTF is small, the workers we
subcontract are selected on not just a tolerance of all of these principles, but rather an
excitement to apply them. Our hope is that these undustrial principles grow well beyond our
business and are expanded throughout the building industries.
Adherence to the business sustainability profile.
All these principles and more are
documented in our sustainability profile- a powerful document we created to keep ourselves
working towards these commitments. After each job and each calendar year, we will seek out
outside advice on how to move more effectively and clearly towards becoming the sustainable
business we seek to become. A great general practice to guide this process has been to
continually ask: "What current practices within the business are not long-term sustainable?" The
answers can relate to materials, lifestyle, travel, personal goals, job selection, design process
etc…
Adherence to specific ecological and geological features of the landscapes and natural
communities in which I choose to work
Draw upon these lessons learned when approaching design projects.
Always seek out local options before considering non-local options for timbers and other
wood products.
Search for cooperatively managed forests and lumberyards in communities in which I work
Buy reclaimed products when possible
Waste as little as possible
Continued development of Undustrial Arts programs (see "services")
Commitment to keep these affordable.
Avoid potential liabilities associated with human labor and hand raisings by developing and
stringently enforcing protocol for community involvement.
Work with local media to promote events organized and endorsed by UTF.
Adherence to traditional methods of design, layout and cutting of joinery.
Continue participation in Timber Framers Guild events and projects.
Ask for help when necessary and appropriate.
Take on continually challenging but manageable projects
Keep personal life and business life balanced as one- Do not plan to pretend they are
separate.
Maintain exceptional contact with clients throughout the length of the project
Build and maintain trust that the product and process are fair, reasonable and worthy of
their needs
Be aware of potentially past poor relations clients may have had with contractors, and vise
versa.
Maintain and deepen understanding of ecological systems specifically in regards to the
regions of Northern New England.
Understand the communities needs as much as possible and appropriate before
commencing work.
Design to the vernacular
Involvement of the public as much as safely possible during the project.
