Meet the Team: Keith Knight, Senior Designer & Norwegian Log Veteran

On a typical bustling lunchtime at the Norwegian Log offices, I had the genuine pleasure of sitting down with Keith Knight, our Senior Designer and, incredibly, our longest-serving team member.

With a remarkable 32 years under his belt, Keith has been shaping the blueprint of Norwegian Log homes since 1993, witnessing and contributing to decades of growth and innovation.

As we chatted, it became clear that Keith’s journey with Norwegian Log hasn't just been a job; it's been a continuous thread woven through various stages – employed, self-employed, and back again – always connected to the company's heartwood. His depth of experience is simply extraordinary.

The Architect of Ambitions

So, what does a Senior Designer with three decades of experience do? "I have pretty much drawn everything we've built," Keith explains with characteristic modesty. His role is foundational. It began with traditional drawing boards before embracing the digital age with AutoCAD around the turn of the century, a move that helped standardise the design process.

Keith is involved from the initial spark of an idea, taking the briefs gathered by the sales team and translating customer dreams into tangible plans. He produces sales drawings, detailed production drawings for the factory, planning application visuals, and ensures all the crucial assembly details and building regulation specifications are meticulously handled. While he doesn't typically design directly with clients like an independent architect might, he works closely with the sales team, adding his own personal touch to refine each project.

From Favourite Builds to High-Pressure Lifts

When asked about favourite designs, Keith doesn't single out a specific standard model, though he recalls the Stavanger as a nice early contemporary design to work on. However, his real enthusiasm shines when discussing the more complex projects. "I like the commercial buildings," he shares. "There's a lot of design in them... making it work in terms of all the rules and regulations." He enjoys the technical challenges, coordinating with engineers for elements like swimming pools or ensuring perfect accessibility.

One project stands out vividly in his memory: an overnight crane lift. "That was very exciting, and that was very hard work... a lot of pressure, but we came through it," he recalls. The challenge involved lifting two enormous halves of a large structure over trees during a tight six-hour nighttime road closure, all under floodlights. It was a testament to meticulous planning and teamwork, a high-stakes operation Keith helped design for success alongside John and Paul on site.

A Culture That Keeps You

Beyond the drawings and deadlines, it's the people and the atmosphere that have truly defined Keith's long tenure. He speaks warmly of the founders, Nick and Mark, who he considers close friends. "They set the standard for the company," he says. "Quite relaxed, easy-going. They trust you to do your job." He credits them, and now Ed, Paul, and Ian who've taken the helm "in a pretty much similar style," for creating a comfortable and supportive environment. "It's been like that, really, ever since I've been here, which is why I've stayed so long."

He also fondly remembers characters like Vaughan, a "hilarious" old-fashioned salesman full of stories, and Nick's own "marvellous" storytelling abilities. These relationships, along with enduring friendships with colleagues like Paul and the fun social events over the years – from horse racing to bowling – paint a picture of a genuinely friendly workplace.

Life Beyond the Blueprints

Before dedicating his skills primarily to Norwegian Log, Keith gained experience with local authorities, architects, and housing developers, even doing early work for Bewley Homes. Outside of work today, Keith has traded his golf clubs for something with a bit more horsepower. About nine years ago, he invested in a 650cc dual-sport motorbike, finding it a bit heavy for the rougher terrain, he later added a specific off-road trials bike.

Now, he competes in trials events every few weeks, navigating obstacle courses in the woods around Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and occasionally Devon or South Wales. "I don't do the difficult sections," he laughs, "I do the easiest." It's a passion that connects him with friends, some still riding in their 70s, and takes him back to the areas he rode in when he was younger.

Having lived just yards from the office for 18 years, Keith and his wife moved down to North Somerset 19 years ago after their children flew the nest. Despite the distance, his commitment to Norwegian Log remains unwavering, a testament to the enduring appeal of the company and the work he loves.

Keith’s incredible 32-year journey with Norwegian Log is woven into the very fabric of our company. His experience, skill, and calm dedication are invaluable, and it's clear that the friendly, trusting culture has been just as important in making Norwegian Log not just a workplace, but a professional home for over three decades. We're incredibly lucky to have him on the team.