Micro-timber House

This house was designed on a 3.2' grid timber module so windows and doors can fit between posts without interruption (headers). The structural rafters are also be much smaller dimensions this way, mere "micro-timbers". This is a new building system based on traditional "black diamond" module layout resulting in a logical and thrifty modern home that even uses the timber posts themselves as trim for windows and doors.

This design also emphasizes daylighting with solid-stained white wood to sustain high daylight levels accomplished with a south-facing clerestory and central skylights for uplifting winter light levels in an often cloudy locale. The high-efficiency envelope puts insulation outboard of the primary frame wall system to expose the structure and to minimize thermal bridging. The young family is settling into a 3rd generation family property here, and this dwelling replaces the home one owner grew up in near this oxbow of a major river.

Due to significant land-use and flood mitigation challenges, the structure is elevated, but this allows for a fully daylit basement (technically a "storage floor"), and makes for some interesting landscape integration and opportunities for the understory. The family was very involved with the design and many spaces are tailored to the enjoyment of their twin girls who came into the world during construction.