Home Builders in Edmonton | Infill North Blog
BJB Woodshop
Design-Forward Stairs & Railings
We sat down (virtually because sometimes our schedules are just a little too wild) with Bryan, the owner and craftsman behind BJB Woodshop. He was recently awarded the Western Living Designer of the Year in the Maker category—which is no small feat, but if you’ve seen Bryan’s work, it’s also unsurprising that he’s been featured among such talented designers.
We’ve had the pleasure of having him part of a few different Infill North custom builds around the city. We also get to enjoy his creation in the Nihilo on a regular basis. We might be familiar with Bryan and his accomplishments in woodworking, but we’re excited to share a peak into what he does here on our blog.
Picking Favourites
What has been your favourite project for Infill North so far?
My favorite project for Infill North so far has been The Nihilo. It provided us with an opportunity to demonstrate our design/build capabilities, not only to Infill North but also to the residential building community.
The Process
Is there anything about the design process or your workflow that surprises clients?
I think clients are often surprised by how small of a team we are. Some of our projects are very complex and can be quite large, but with the systems we’ve developed over the years, relationships with industry partners, and the use of technology, we have the ability to stay lean and offer a high-quality end product.
On the Horizon
What’s a dream project of yours you’d like to work on?
I would love to build The Nihilo mono-stringer staircase again but on an even larger scale. Four stacked mono-stringers from the basement to the second floor would be spectacular! We also had a bench incorporated into the original design; it would be great if we could find a space that could accommodate one.
The Highlights
What’s your favourite part of your work process?
My favorite part would have to be seeing the completed project. Sometimes these projects take months to come together, so it’s very exciting to finally see the thing you’ve been envisioning in real life. One project that really stands out for me was the Nihilo. Not only was it special because all the railings and posts were pre-finished (which is usually done after assembly), but I also got to share this experience with Erin (my wife/business partner). We worked late one evening installing the last section of railing and enjoyed some takeout from Remedy (great wraps!) while we took in the results of months of hard work on this project.
And Beyond
We’ve all seen your stunning staircases, but what’s your favourite thing you’ve created that’s not a staircase?
This is a tough one because I’ve created a lot of things over the years. But it might have to be something that we haven’t completed yet, our home. Erin and I have been slowly renovating our 1964 low slope bungalow since 2015 with a focus on making it not only beautiful, but also healthy and comfortable. The nice byproduct from the systems we put into making it healthy and comfortable is how energy-efficient it’s become. It’s now more energy-efficient than an average newly built home, which really helps with the cost of energy these days. We still have a long way to go with the renovations (which probably will never be completed) but I am quite proud of the efficiency part so far.
The Nihilo
Home Builder: @infillnorth
DesignTeam: @bjbwoodshop @wizzerj @northerner_matt
Built by: @bjbwoodshop
Wood Finishing by: @beyondwood
The Anacapa
Home Builder: @infillnorth
Design by: @bjbwoodshop
Built by: @bjbwoodshop @sunderwoodworks
Wood Finishing by: @beyondwood
The Gibson
Home Builder: @infillnorth
Design Team: @bjbwoodshop @northerner_matt
Built by: @bjbwoodshop @infillnorth
Wood Finishing by: @beyondwood
Photography by: @bjbwoodshop
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Collaborate with Infill North
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