I am a real estate developer planning post & beam housing projects for the near future, beginning in California, and spreading out later. I need an architect, preferrably licensed in California, with some planned community or tract house design expereince, in addition to extensive post & beam architectural design experience.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Stan Covington
Zephyr USA

Stan

Can you describe what it is you are calling "post and beam"?
Also you may want to post this under the topic heading. Timber Frame Design

One way to find someone in your area is to go to the TFG home page and click on the "Resource Guide" icon.
Follow the links to the search page and select the proper category for your search and your state and see who's listed there for your area.
Good luck with your search.
Jim Rogers

In response to your question, the definition of post & beam in this case is a structural frame formed by connecting columns (posts) and beams to form an enclosed space suitable for living or working or storage. The structural members in this case would be glulams or engineered wood (LSL PSL), so I am hestitant to call it a timber frame, the nature of the system requiring tolerances far in excess of what can be expected of solid wood, so that the product is likewise of much higher quality in fit and finish than that of a conventional timber frame. The connections are made using ICC-ES listed concealed metal connectors held in place with 1/2" metal drift pins. We have produced over 30,000 units using this method overseas. YMHOS

SRC,
Many of the skilled craftsmen in the TFG will take umbrage with your implication that timber framing is not precision work.
Yes, we even take great joy in conquering that which mother nature grows not straight so the net effect when assembled is straight, plumb and true.
Mayhap you have experienced some sloppy workmanship not up to guild standards in your assessment of timber frames.

Mr. Developer... Why don't you take your post into a different forum and see how many more timber framers you can piss off?

Whit,
When did you delete tact from your vocabulary ?

Emmett, I guess I took umbrage.

I see that I have upset Whit and Emmett, who have "taken umbrage" at my post. I understand your reaction, but you know not of what you speak if you believe timber framing in the US is to the tolerances I am speaking of. When the width, thickness and length of the timbers you use are all +- 1/64", then your umbrage will be justified. When your frames go up without any gaps at the connections, and every joint intended to be 90 degrees on paper is indeed 90 degrees, +-.015 degrees without any jobsite adjustments, then I will apologize and call you master. When you can cut and label the joints and all parts in your frame in two hours, and then erect not only your frame, but install your wall sheathing, roof sheathing and floor sheathing and exterior envelope insulation in 1.5 working days, then I will prostrate myself before you in abject humility. Until then, please calm yourself. Oh yes, and if you know of any good architects interested in doing this kind of work, please let me know: I have lots of work for them.

Regards,

Stan Covington

Hello Mr Covington
I am intrigued and amused by your definitioin of what constitutes acseptable tolerances. It is something I have been thinking about lately. You seem to know what your talking about, so please tell me just exactly why it is essential or even necesary to create a building that is so "squarely square" as it were??
Cheers Jonathan
PS do you think theres a good chance your 30,000 units will still be standing in 600 years time?