On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the summer solstice dawned, marking the completion of 15 raised timber frame installations in community gardens across New York City’s boroughs. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in the trajectories of several young community builders taking the lead in supporting the health and well-being of residents throughout the City.
What sets these installations apart is their functional and aesthetic appeal, the story behind their creation, and the resilient nature of the process. The timber frames, fabricated and installed by the hard work and determination of apprentice builders, were designed as a learning opportunity to study the art of traditional woodworking, timber framing, and Urban Natural Building at Ecotone’s woodshop and design studio in East NY, Brooklyn. Equipped with OHSA and SST cards, ample shop space, and professional-grade tools and guided by experienced mentors, these apprentices honed their skills. Most importantly, they built their confidence and experienced the utility of natural building in the present-day urban environment while contributing to these exceptional public works projects.
While Ecotone is not a non-profit organization, they acknowledge the invaluable support they received from their partners in making this process a reality. Singh Hardwood, located in Far Rockaway, played a pivotal role by providing the salvaged timber sourced from Pennsylvania Barn country. The Singh family’s overall values and commitment to sustainability and quality materials perfectly align with Ecotone’s mission, elevating these installations’ overall aesthetic and environmental value.
Another essential partner and small family business in this endeavor are AJL Design & Installation, based in Long Island. Their expertise in executing seamless and efficient logistics for each installation ensured that each timber frame structure was flawlessly integrated into its respective community garden, enhancing the ability of the Ecotone team to focus on timber frame construction, city agency compliance, and apprentice safety. “Ecotone helps me train some of my guys; the experience they gain there is the best I have seen.” Carlos Meruelo of AJL explains, “Anything we can do to help their community projects, and we are there.”
Collaboration with Apex Technical School in Long Island City has also been instrumental in bridging the gap between education and real-world application. Several apprentices who participated in this project began their journeys into the trades by completing and graduating from the Construction and Building Skills program at Apex. Lucretia Snyder, Placement Coordinator at Apex, helped place these young builders into Ecotone’s apprenticeship program, participating in public works projects. By offering hands-on training and professional guidance, Apex Technical School has contributed to developing skilled artisans, empowering them to bring this community infrastructure to life and find their pathway toward meaningful and gainful employment as builders.
By bridging the gap between NYC construction realities and grassroots community health initiatives, Ecotone has demonstrated the strength and potential of this collaborative model of executing quality community health-supporting infrastructure. This reality is already upon us; and includes Apprentice training, mentorship, and ongoing career guidance for Apprentices. Three young woodworking apprentices executed these installations; Reggie Germain of Jamaica Queens has completed several Ecotones Woodworking Training offerings since 2020 and led the apprentice team this year. “Everything from the materials we used to the building techniques and sharing of knowledge are examples of how we should build and develop our green spaces across the city.” Says Reggie, who, immediately after completing the 15 timber frames, will begin a placement through Ecotone with Fieldform NYC, a gardening and Landscaping design-build in Brooklyn. Shakeem Fazal of Brooklyn will remain training at Ecotone with an in-house post, and Symon Mosqueda, 24, of Queens, will enter the job market. For any carpentry or construction outfit looking for a young, dependable helper, Symon is always on time, spends his earnings on tools and tool belt accessories, and has been thoroughly put through his paces at Apex and then at Ecotone in what he now agrees should be called “an apprenticeship in difficulty.”
As the solstice marks the start of a new season, Ecotone looks forward with optimism and determination. From the Bronx to East New York, these 15 timber frame installations are a testament to a commitment to unconventional community building, traditional craftsmanship, and innovative design. Ecotone is proud to have played a role in transforming public spaces across New York City on this project, and they extend their gratitude to NYC Parks Greenthumb for the opportunity and to Singh Hardwood, AJL Design & Installation, and Apex Technical Trade School for their invaluable support. Their collective efforts have enriched residents’ lives and set a precedent for the future of community-driven public works projects in the City.
As we celebrate this milestone, let us recognize the power of apprenticeship, collaboration, the beauty of craftsmanship, and meaningful community engagement. Together, we can continue to build a future where our public spaces inspire, uplift, and nurture collective well-being.
