Team
I was born and raised on Prince Edward Island and as the son of a carpenter I grew up building from a young age. Some of my earliest memories are building toys and furniture in my father’s basement workshop. The ability to work with my hands has remained a defining aspect of who I am throughout my life.
I studied at Boston Architectural College and Dalhousie University and completed my Master of Architecture in 2015. After having worked at a number of architecture firms at a variety of scales, I found myself constantly drawn to complex details. With this in mind, I decided to start Hewn and Barter in 2019. My goal was to create an environment that allows tradespeople to showcase their skills on challenging and innovative projects. I believe thoughtful design fosters high quality execution.
The goal of Hewn and Barter was to develop a team of similarly minded people who are interested in the intersection of design and construction and can understand and execute projects from concept to detail.
I've been interested in the design and construction of buildings and structures from an early age. My father is an Architect and introduced me to the idea of design as iterative problem solving. I almost followed in his footsteps, but was ultimately drawn to the more practical world of Civil/Structural Engineering. I received my B. Eng from Dalhousie University (via St. Francis Xavier University) in 2014. After working for two years as a Structural Design Engineer-in-Training, I was drawn to the "bigger picture" world of project management.
Prior to joining the Hewn and Barter team as Project Coordinator, I worked in the same role with a large firm on large-scale commercial projects for two years. Working closely with clients, trades-people and our in-house team of builders and designers, it has been my pleasure to be close to the work, and to help bring projects from the earliest stages of idea development all the way through to the final product.
Nick joined Hewn and Barter back in February of 2022 as a student and has now returned as a full-time Intern Architect. He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and a Master of Architecture degree from Dalhousie University after studying engineering at University of Victoria. Raised in both British Columbia and rural Japan, Nick takes conceptual design inspirations from Canadian coastal architecture and traditional Japanese construction. His interest in architecture lies where construction and architecture intersect to create thoughtful design opportunities.
As a Vancouver Islander, Nick values spending time in the forest, bike rides by the ocean and most of all, seafood pastas.
At Hewn and Barter, Nick is continuing to expand his knowledge on construction and the design-build methodology to architectural design.
Ness joined Hewn + Barter this spring as a Millwork Assistant. Originally from Toronto, she moved out East for university in 2013, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. She jumped right in the world of Interior Design and home renovations following university and has since been a part of creative initiatives in several industries. She loves exploring the intersection between creative design solutions and functionality.
Ness is stoked to gain more skills in detailed design finishes and architectural millwork. She is currently taking a drafting course at George Brown and is planning to continue her education and industry knowledge.
David has been building things out of wood since before he can remember. As a child, he spent many weekends helping out in the family’s hardware store and later, learning the fine art of woodworking in his father’s custom cabinetry shop. He has been fortunate to have had training, mentorship and amazing support from family and friends with extensive backgrounds in architecture, engineering and design.
After earning his BSc from Dalhousie University, David held management roles in the travel industry while renovating homes and creating custom pieces. He later returned to full-time building, driven by a passion for craftsmanship and fine detail. His leadership on numerous and complex construction projects has refined his ability to manage teams, timelines, and uphold top-quality standards.
With a strong commitment to excellence and a passion for woodworking, David continues to elevate the craft and inspire others with every project.
Oren has always been drawn to working with his hands and bringing ideas into the physical world. Originally from Israel, he began his career as a pastry chef before shifting into woodworking and design—an experience that shaped my appreciation for craftsmanship, precision, and good process.
His work focuses on custom furniture, millwork, and spatial design, using materials like wood, veneer, laminate, and concrete. Oren is especially drawn to clean lines, functional design, and solving problems through careful planning and hands-on collaboration.
Now living in Bedford, Nova Scotia with his family,Oren is proud to be part of the Hewn + Barter team, contributing to projects that are thoughtful, well-built, and made to last.
Austin is currently with Hewn and Barter as a part of the Cooperative Education Program at Dalhousie University. He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies from Dalhousie University and is currently working towards his Master of Architecture degree.
Before his time at school he worked as a carpenter’s apprentice for a framing company in his hometown of Southern California. The artistic culture and appreciation for crafts on the North Eastern coast influenced Austin’s move out to the Maritimes. He’s interested in the design/build of single-family homes, understanding construction processes, and architectural drawing convention.
After graduation, Austin will start a new chapter in his life and begin exploring the Eastern coastline. He enjoys spending time in the ocean and cooking homemade meals with his friends.