"George let the wood speak for itself, " says Gerald Everett, a Nakashima studio woodworker for 29 years.

FORBES: Trees with souls

If this is the Portland version of "The Odd Couple, " Mr. Zehetbauer, a 52-year-old woodworker and partner in a furniture company, would be the "Felix" character, as he pays meticulous attention to details.

WSJ: The Twin Houses of an Odd Couple

The traditional design and practices for building these bridges combine the use of wood, traditional architectural tools, craftsmanship, the core technologies of beam-weaving' and mortise and tenon joints, and an experienced woodworker's understanding of different environments and the necessary structural mechanics.

UNESCO: Culture