When we decided to move from the city to this land our primary goal was just to get out here as quickly as possible. Once the seed had been planted to become more self sufficient we could not wait to begin executing our plans. Initially, we planned to use two back yard sheds that measured 12' x 32' each, for housing. We were going to set them up in an "L" shape, with a space in between to build out a living room and connect the two buildings. One building would have been converted into a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The second cabin was to be converted into two more bedrooms. But, as it often happens, plans changed when Hank had a different idea.
Hank wanted to build a one of a kind timber frame home. He researched building styles derived from basque architecture including 15th century classic medieval designs from areas such as Germany, Scotland, The Francophone regions of France, and the outer lying regions such as Normandy. Using those ideas coupled with his own style and decades of experience Hank designed a hybrid framed, post and beam, lodge style home. The build consists of a center structure, two side wings, as many windows and doors as he could fit in the design, and a massive front porch. The center structure is built using 15th century mortise and tenon joinery and held together with wooden dowels and shear pressure. The two side wings have been built using standard framing which is what creates the "hybrid" build concept.
It's worth noting that my contribution to the design of our home was playing games like Skyrim and The Witcher 3. Because I was playing them while he was designing and planning, Hank admittedly was influenced by them. So, a special thanks to the engineers over at Bethesda and CD Projekt.
The center structure consists of a living room, dining room and two lofts at each end of the home. Upon entry into our home you'll see an open cathedral ceiling extending 22' from the ridge to the floor and an open web stairwell leading up to a loft bedroom on the left and skybridge on the right. Vaulted ceilings and exposed beams showcase seven bents throughout the living and dining rooms all consisting of local, 300 year old, rough cut heart pine. Rustic black iron pipe handrails and balusters will frame the skybridge that sits 11' off the ground and leads you through exposed web framing into a loft serving as a library and tea room.
The side wings of the house showcase exposed post and beam ceilings built using 2 1/4" x 9" x 12' rough cut pine joists (really heavy lumber!) underneath 3 1/2" x 1" tongue and groove decking. On the right is a large kitchen enclosed by 4 windows and a combination bathroom/laundry room. Believe it or not, Hank designed the entire house around those 4 large plate glass windows. The perimeter of the kitchen will be lined with lots of counter space, a gas range, a porcelain farm style sink and complete with a large food storage pantry and breakfast nook in the corner. On the left side of the home is a master bedroom and bath with two walk in closets.
Hank spared no creativity when designing our stout entryway or the exterior. Our wrap around front porch gets its girth from the 8" x 8" rough cut pine beams used to support the 2 1/2" x 12" beams above. The porch protects our 100 year old 3' x 8', walnut and stained glass front door. Hank pulled the door out of a trash pile on the side of the road in Riverside, in Jacksonville FL, 12 years prior. He's hauled it around ever since with the intentions of using it once he built his own house, this house. The siding is our current order of business. Were covering the exterior of the house with board and batten siding coupled with cedar shakes on the ridges.
Hank designed every bit of this home himself, including drawing the blueprints, laying the foundation, laying concrete, plumbing, siding and electrical to come. The build has taken much longer that we thought it might, but we're committed to the journey. At several intervals along the way friends have stopped by and offered their help (especially on the roof! thanks ya'll!) but, Hank has built the majority of this home by himself and with the help of our Kubota Tractor.
...And of course we did not forget the ancient topping out ceremony (where we nailed a small evergreen tree to the highest point of the house). This ritual gives thanks to all the trees that were sacrificed to build our home, to the people who helped along the way and also symbolizes the establishment of the homes roots.