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Eric graduated from Ithaca College in NY in the early 90’s.  Following a brief career in sports medicine, He began woodworking in the shop of Versatile Sash and Door in Portland,Oregon.   Woodworking became his passion; he absorbed everything he could from mentors at Versatile Sash during the day, and read countless how-to books at night.  In 2002, he left to begin his own business, and it was then that Treeform Woodwork came into being. Since then his work has been featured in Portland green building and craftsmanship publications such as Oregon Home Magazine.

Ben grew up in a home surrounded by craftsmanship. His father was a

building trades instructor in Michigan, and Ben helped his father build houses, furniture, and sailboats by hand. After attending college for film, video and sound, and a short stint as Production Manager at National

Public Radio (NPR) in Grand Rapids, MI, Ben moved to Chicago and worked at Dusty Groove Records as a buyer for seven years. Getting back to his roots, Ben then worked as a luthier’s apprentice, learning the craft of instrument building. Ben also worked for 2 years in Chicago building furniture. In 2007 Ben moved to Portland and began working with Eric, applying his versatility, creativity and knowledge.

Kris has been involved in the trades since 2003. She has done remodeling,

carpentry, and natural building including cob, adobe, and strawbale all over

the United States and Canada. She has completed natural building projects

in Portland as well, and has been at Treeform since 2005.  Kris brings her background in natural and sustainable building to each Treeform project. Kris particularly appreciates working with reclaimed doug fir, enjoying both the sustainability and beauty of the material.

Raphael began making cabinets and furniture twenty years ago  in Baltimore. He ran his own woodworking business in Portland for 12 years (1996-2008), making custom cabinets and furniture for both residential and commercial settings. He enjoys working with clients on aesthetic and functional design, and arriving at elegant solutions to complex challenges.

His woodworking has appeared in the October 2007 issue of Portland Monthly and the December 2008 issue of Better Homes and Gardens’ Renovation Style.

Also an accomplished author and photographer, Raphael holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poetry.  He has published writing and photography in national journals such as Quarterly West, Frank, Indiana Review, two girls review, Shirim, Washington Square, Northwest Edge iii: The End of Reality, and more.

His photographs have won awards from the Berkeley Jewish Museum and have appeared in several publications. Raphael has won fellowships and residencies from the Ucross Foundation, Literary Arts, Inc., The Vermont Studio Center, and other institutions. Raphael has taught writing and literature at Lewis and Clark College, Mt. Hood Community College, in a Writers in the Schools program, and elsewhere.

Eric has a commitment to green building and community, having done a majority of the woodwork which is currently  at People’s Co-op and Sisters of the Road Cafe. Under Eric’s direction, Treeform has participated in large-scale projects that have been LEED Certified, homes that have been featured in the Build It Green Tour of Homes, projects that have been featured on the Street of Eames (Portland’s Modern Home Tour, which is also a benefit for homeless students), and lots and lots of projects using recycled materials in a beautiful, functional design and implementation. Eric enjoys working on projects from small residential remodels to large-scale projects involving architectural firms. He encourages Treeform employees to bike commute as he does daily. Eric brings competence and integrity to each project.

Nat grew up in northern California surrounded by redwoods and oaks, and since then has pursued his love of working to support practices that are harmonious with ecological systems. He has spent time volunteering at the Audobon Society in Portland, taking courses regarding the interconnectivity of ecosystems, and woodworking. Nat is the newest addition to Treeform, and has been instrumental in assisting with the large number of projects we are working on.

Treeform is a unique company. We value each interaction we have, and approach each project with integrity and care. Please email eric@treeformwoodwork.com, call 503.880.8903, or stop by the shop, and we will take time to speak with you. We look forward to it.