WOOD AND METAL FABRICATION FROM A SINGLE INTEGRATED TEAM.
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Axel Homar - Director
Axel's career in furniture making and architectural fabrication spans continents and decades. After apprenticing in Bavaria and earning a BFA in Furniture Design from Cornish College of the Arts, Axel progressed from a work-study position to Lead Builder at Gulassa & Company over 14 years. His expertise continued as a Shop and Project Manager at Saturn Design, where he collaborated with top interior designers, and at Meyer Wells, where he managed high-profile projects as Director of Operations, before joining the shop. Axel excels in collaborating on the engineering of complex designs and managing production cycles, bringing clients’ and design teams’ visions to life. As Shop Director, he leads the team with a focus on creativity and problem-solving, ensuring each body of work meets the highest standards of craftsmanship.
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Eli Hess - Business Manager
Eli has always been immersed in the world of craft. Growing up in his father’s metal shop in Baltimore, surrounded by artists and fabricators, he learned to weld at five years old. His passion for design led him to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Lehigh University. After graduation, Eli worked as a designer and fabricator with his father for Hess Industries, then moved to Seattle where he worked as a designer at IA Interior Architects before making his way to the shop. As the Shop Business Manager, Eli is driven by the desire to collaborate with designers and architects, supporting our fabricators in translating complex designs into buildable details while balancing artistry with architectural vision.
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Scott Simpson - Project Manager
Scott has spent the last decade never working more than ten feet from a saw. With a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from Temple University and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Washington, Scott is a licensed architect in Washington State. His diverse work experience spans cabinet and furniture work, architectural model building, and project architecture. At the shop, Scott thrives on collaborating with a range of architects and designers, translating their aesthetic visions into finished, functional realities. His role as Shop Project Manager allows him to refine his skills and tackle challenges under pressure, marked by a commitment to craft and holistic design.
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Aaryn Bergum - Project Manager
Aaryn's journey into architectural craftsmanship began with a deep-seated appreciation for the intersection of creativity, utility, and material. After studying architecture at the University of Washington, Aaryn embarked on a career that spanned from traditional ironworks to high-end modern architectural and kinetic metalwork, with experiences in glassmaking, stonework, and woodwork along the way. With a strength for envisioning both the final product and the intricate processes of each scope, Aaryn excels in his role as a Shop PM and Technical Illustrator to translate these visions into detailed drawings, collaborating with some of Seattle's most skilled craftspeople to bring bodies of work to life.
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Levi Schmitt - Project Manager
Levi has a knack for the details. After graduating from Cal Poly SLO with an accredited Bachelor of Architecture, he was immediately drawn to the hands-on aspects of specialty contracting. His career path led him to design and project manage kinetic architecture and interactive museum exhibits, where he developed a deep appreciation for the intricacies of human-scale wood and metal objects. Now, as a Shop Project Manager, Levi excels at building strong relationships while collaborating with clients, craftspeople, and vendors to bring thoughtful and well-crafted projects to life.
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Jesse Knutson - Wood Production Manager
Jesse knows a thing or two about production management. After attending a culinary program and working in Minneapolis kitchens, Jesse noticed that both culinary and woodworking environments share a common need for meticulous planning, organization, and a relentless focus on efficiency and accuracy to achieve success. After relocating to Seattle 20 years ago, Jesse ventured into his own furniture-making business until he joined the shop following some time at Henrybuilt. At the heart of Jesse's approach is a great respect for the craftsmanship and hands-on work that defines the industry. In his role, Jesse’s focus on the production schedule and execution of projects drives the shop’s success, transforming intricate scopes of work into well-crafted bodies of work.
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Jacob Kinney - Wood Shop Foreman
Jacob, Wood Shop Foreman at Interbay, brings a decade of experience in architectural woodworking and a lifelong passion for the craft. Growing up surrounded by craftsmen, he decided to enroll in Seattle's WTC trade school. After an initial time at Dovetail, Jacob worked in Connecticut shops for four years cultivating his skills as a craftsmen and problem-solver. Jacob returned to Dovetail in 2021, and his continued dedication to physically making things is matched by his leadership, teamwork, and drive to bring projects to life. He consistently ensures that each body of work meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
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Max Johnston - Wood Fabricator
Max combines a philosophical approach with hands-on expertise in woodworking, thanks to a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from the University of Portland and a prestigious full-ride scholarship to the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. His career began at Custom Wood Interiors, where he advanced from a shop kid to a seasoned wood fabricator. Drawn to the active and craft-focused nature of the job, Max excels in teamwork and values the collaborative spirit of the shop. At Interbay, he leverages his skills and passion for the work, contributing to each project with a commitment to both quality and collaboration.
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Colin Wilson - Wood Fabricator
Colin Wilson’s career in woodworking is deeply rooted in family tradition and personal passion. A graduate of the College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program (now the Krenov School), his early years were shaped by hands-on experience in his father's woodworking shop in the Bay Area. Colin was an apprentice at B. Serota Furniture and a fabricator at Wilson and Sons, Inc., prior to joining the team. Growing up in the Sonoma Valley, surrounded by oak, walnut, and poplar trees, Colin developed a deep connection to nature and a keen understanding of wood’s transformative potential. As a fabricator, he is driven by a lifelong passion for crafting with his hands and a commitment to producing work that will be cherished for generations.
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Jake Baritz - Wood Fabricator
Jake’s journey into woodworking began after a brief stint as a biotechnology consultant, a path he left behind in pursuit of working with his hands. Inspired by skills learned from his grandfather, Jake embraced self-directed learning, navigating the craft of woodworking and furniture making through trial and error. With a deep appreciation for transforming raw materials into tangible pieces, he thrives on creative problem-solving and being part of a team. As a wood fabricator, Jake is dedicated to delivering exceptional craftsmanship on all scopes of work, bringing each client's vision to fruition with care.
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Avery Struthers - Wood Fabricator
Avery is a team player, bringing his academic and operations experience to his role with a BA in Political Science and an MS in Ethics and Public Policy. After working in restaurant management in the Bay Area, Avery shifted his focus to woodworking in 2020. Raised around machinery and craftsmanship—his father ran a machine shop and his uncle managed a family farm—Avery’s transition to cabinet and furniture making felt like a natural evolution. Avery views woodworking as a form of performance. He is dedicated to infusing each project with care and attention to detail, understanding that every step in the process contributes to the final product’s quality and the client’s experience.
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Jack Garrity - Wood Fabricator
Jack entered the hands-on world of woodworking driven by a passion for building and a desire for a more engaging career. With a BA in Architectural Studies from Connecticut College, he moved from Boston to New York at 24 to apprentice with a Brooklyn furniture maker. Making his way across the country to join us at Interbay, Jack thrives on the pace, collaboration, and problem-solving the shop brings to his day to day.
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Keiku Toutonghi - Lead Finisher
Keiku's unexpected venture into finishing began with a summer job dipping shingles on Orcas Island, which sparked her passion for the craft. With a BA in Urban Design and Planning from the University of Washington, she further developed her skills under the guidance of seasoned boat builders, woodworkers, and movie set painters. Now serving as Interbay’s Lead Finisher, Keiku excels in perfecting colors and finishes, viewing each project as a puzzle to solve. She is committed to delivering results that meet and exceed client expectations, blending creativity with technical expertise. Her role allows her to transform client visions into exceptional finished pieces, underscoring her dedication to high-quality craftsmanship.
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Oscar Mendoza - Metal Production Manager
Oscar, with a BFA in Painting and a BA in Art from the University of Washington, transitioned from a career in fine arts to metalwork, inspired by his 15 years working at Gulassa and Co. The dynamic environment and machinery of Gulassa’s shop sparked his desire to blend his artistic skills with hands-on fabrication. At the shop, Oscar brings his artistic vision to metalwork, drawing on his experience to build innovative projects. His role as Metal Shop Production Manager allows him to create an inspiring and collaborative workspace, echoing the motivating environment he cherished in Gulassa’s shop. Oscar thrives on transforming raw materials into finished products, embracing the problem-solving and labor-intensive nature of the work.
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Bill Musselman - Metal Fabricator
Bill's journey in metal fabrication began in a high school metal shop class and has since evolved into an incredible career. With an associate degree in Welding Technology from Pennsylvania College of Technology, Bill honed his craft as a Lead Fabricator at Stoltz MFG, where he specializes in building soil stabilization spreaders, and previously as a Weld Specialist at Genie Lifts before joining the shop. Drawn to the trade by a love for working with his hands, Bill finds fulfillment in transforming raw materials into beautiful, complex designs. His expertise lies in merging technical skill with creative vision, ensuring that each project embodies a true sense of craftsmanship.
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Alex Len - Metal Fabricator
Alex has spent over a decade transforming metal into architectural masterpieces, driven by a blend of craftsmanship and creativity. His entry into metalworking was sparked by a high school teacher, leading him to embrace the craft. Now, Alex has an AS in Welding Technology and over a decade of experience specializing in architectural metals. Alex brings both technical skill and a keen eye for aesthetics to his role as Metal Fabricator in the shop.
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Fiona - Shop Dog
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Olive - Shop Dog
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QuenTen - Shop Dog