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- Primary consideration was given to the geographic location and site of the home above all else. Within this approach, priority was given to project components and design elements based on their permanence, with a lower priority assigned to items more easily replaceable at a later date.
- Since the structure is intended to serve as a full-time retirement home, a key goal was to design a home that provides its owners with adaptable accommodations that would require minimal alterations as its occupants age.
- Innovative planning and design principles were employed to make less seem like more, and to demonstrate that enduring, creative design need not be overtly expensive to create or execute.
- Cost versus value analysis was routinely used to determine which materials, construction techniques and craftsmanship would add value in excess of their contribution to cost.
- The overall design is intended to demonstrate that — contrary to conventional thought — a home does not need to “blend in” with its setting; rather, it can stand proud of its surroundings, yet complement its setting without looking out of place.
At its core, the essence of building green is to create a structure with a multi-century life span and that avoids becoming land fill material after a few decades. Two critical approaches were embraced to avoid obsolescence:
- The owners visualized a design that transcends its era of creation and has inherent value. This helps prevent a home from becoming overwhelmed by the increasing value of the property it occupies, and ultimately from being demolished.
- A structure that can be enlarged seamlessly without significant alteration to its core, in order to anticipate and accommodate future expansion of the structure, further minimizes the possibility of demolition as the land value escalates beyond the scope of the original home.
- Timber frame construction generally dictates that function determines frame form. In contrast, one design challenge was to place a high priority on creating the desired form of the frame, and to utilize 21st century design and engineering to achieve functional and structural considerations.
- By nature, timber frames are linear and angular. Thus, a second frame design goal was to develop a frame with arched and curved elements such as those typically found in nature. These elements have become the frames "signature".
- Rather than allow structural needs to result in a frame that appears cluttered or that obscures sight lines and decor, this timber frame was designed and engineered to enhance the open and clear style of the interior floor plan, and to eliminate frame components that appear out of place.
- Timber frame construction often conveys a rustic appearance. Therefore, another design objective was to demonstrate that a timber frame can be successfully fused with traditional Arts and Crafts elements and contemporary design to present the best of both disciplines and to create a style the owners call “craftsman contemporary.”
Rather than conservatively follow typical construction methodology, this project intends to utilize more current building practices, materials and technologies. The strategy is not to create the “tomorrow” house, but to avail and incorporate proven materials, practices and systems that are consistent with a house being built in the 21st century. While following this approach is important, this project also seeks to:
- Achieve design and construction objectives with full recognition of financial constraints by all project participants.
- Place a high value on creative and innovative planning and design.
- Utilize quality natural materials, consistent with budgetary limitations.
- Value attention to detail and craftsmanship to transcend moderate proportions and serve as a viable alternative to large, but ordinary, space.
- Demonstrate that timber frame construction can be price-competitive with stick frame construction when quality of design, materials and craftsmanship are considered.
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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
OBSOLECENSE AVOIDANCE
TIMBER FRAME CONSTRAINTS
CONTEMPORARY MATERIALS, PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES
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