Trellis Structures has been around since 1995 - how has the mission evolved under your leadership?

My brother Erich and I purchased Trellis Structures in 2022 when the founder retired. We grew up on a sustainable tree farm, working with our father to mill lumber from our own forest for woodworking and residential builds. That early respect for wood is what drew us to Trellis Structures in the first place - and when I toured the shop and saw the level of care in every joint and cut, I knew it was the right move.
We've stayed true to that legacy of quality craftsmanship, but we think it's becoming even more important to protect in an era of commodification and cookie-cutter design. Our goal is to preserve the art of building outdoor structures that feel tailored, timeless, and genuinely worth passing down.

How has custom design evolved, and how does Trellis Structures fit into that change?

 

The tools have changed - CNC machines, modular kits, and new composites have expanded what designers can dream up and build. We use the best of that too; all our drafting is done in SolidWorks now instead of by hand on paper. But aside from that, we still do nearly everything by hand in our shop. That means each cut and joint gets personal attention.
While digital fabrication is great for certain projects, there's something special - and increasingly rare - about true handcrafted quality. For landscape architects, that means partnering with a fabricator who can bring high-tech precision and old-school craft to every structure.

How do you choose materials when there's so much focus on new composites and alternatives?

We stick to what works: premium woods and powder-coated aluminum. While composites and plastics have their place, our clients come to us when they want the warmth, integrity, and character that real wood and metal provide. We carefully select and treat our lumber so our structures can last for decades, even untreated - and we engineer them to stand up to the elements while staying easy to assemble.

Tell us more about your custom capabilities and project range.

About half our work is with large general contractors on high-end residential and hospitality projects nationwide. The other half is with smaller landscape designers, contractors, or even directly with homeowners. No project is too big or too small. We've built everything from custom privacy screens to one-of-a-kind pergolas, and even an outdoor movie theater. We also design custom benches, chairs, and planters to complement our structures - it's a full-service approach that takes the stress off the architect and adds value to the project.

What's new or next for Trellis Structures?

We're bringing our furniture roots back into the spotlight. We've relaunched our line of handcrafted garden chairs and benches, and we're expanding our custom offerings for outdoor living spaces. It's all part of our commitment to being a true partner for landscape architects - a team that can help win more jobs and deliver beautiful, heirloom-quality structures and furniture that clients will love for years.