Devin Harper
Owner Architect / Builder
Biography
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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 and Dalhousie University and completed my Masters 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 + 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.
What is your favourite room in a house?
The stairway. It’s pragmatic and restrictive but allows for expression and innovation.
Best part of your work day?
Being on site first thing in the morning before anyone has arrived. It’s quiet, and allows time to reflect on where the project is at, and plan for where it is going.
Random fact about yourself?
I was a Naval Warfare Officer with the Canadian Forces prior to architecture school, and continue to serve in the Naval Reserves.
Something that you haven't made yet but would like to?
I would like to design and build our next family home.
An unexpected source of inspiration?
Surfing and the ocean.
David Archibald
Project Manager / Coordinator
Biography
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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 (via St. FX) 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.
Where did you grow up?
Antigonish, NS
What is your favourite room in a house?
A kitchen designed and built as a gathering space.
A tool that you couldn't live without?
My John Deere Tape Measure. Nothing runs - or measures - like a Deere.
Best part of your work day?
When someone asks DJ Dave to take control of the radio.
Favourite part of a project?
Checking off any project milestone en route to completion.
When you're not working for H+B, what do you get up to?
I write songs and play in a band and I'm slowly converting an old boathouse into a cabin.
Tyler Fissel
Intern Architect
Biography
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I have been fortunate to have lived coast to coast to coast across Canada; my early childhood was in British Columbia; formative years in Nova Scotia and Quebec; and the beginning of my professional career in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. My interest in architecture and design lie with providing unique/responsive solutions to meet the needs of the clients while honouring and advancing architectural craft.
My time in the North has afforded me with the opportunity to work on a variety of building typologies such as; Cultural Centres, Emergency shelters, housing, schools, and greenhouses. Each typology responds uniquely to the diverse cultural landscape, and extreme climatic conditions that exist across the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions. Designing in these landscapes requires an extensive community consultation design approach with the First Nation and Inuit communities to ensure that the project being delivered provides culturally responsive design that resonates with and functions for the community each project is intended to serve.
At Hewn + Barter, I hope to continue to develop my architectural craft through a holistic design build project delivery from conception to completion.
Claudio Cabana
Carpenter
Biography
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I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, to a family of contractors, engineers, and architects. This early exposure to the industry made me very conscious of my built environment, and its makings, meanings, and expressions. I spent my adolescence in suburban Calgary, where I witnessed a production-line, cookie-cutter building culture that marked me with a yearning for craftsmanship.
After two-stepping my way to the West Coast, I completed my degree in Environmental Design at the University of British Columbia. My interests in restoration and construction led me to the maritimes, where I studied Heritage Carpentry at NSCC in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. As an apprentice on the South Shore at Risser Design Build, I really came to appreciate the design-build model as you get to craft a project from design to delivery, building a great relationship with the client and streamlining project management.
What is your favourite room in a house?
I hope to have a nice reading room someday, for now it’s more of a corner.
Best part of your work day?
When DJ Dave takes control of the radio
Favourite part of a project?
When you think of a breakthrough solution to a sticky problem, and it works.
Something that you haven't made yet but would like to?
A surfboard.
