Salt Springs Island, BC Dream

CLICK TO VEW PROJECT

The owner wanted to redesign this home as a reflection of its dramatic rainforest setting.  Using Bernard Maybeck’s West Coast designs as inspiration, a large timber frame was commissioned to provide both the structure and the principal design element.  This vision, however, presented some significant challenges – specifically the trusses and the long cantilevered gable.  Furthermore, the owner wanted to avoid visible metal fasteners while maintaining the wide span and open plan interior spaces – European structural screws were used to achieve the critical bonds at the rafter and collar connections and aluminum dovetail fasteners were used at purlin and rafter connections, preserving the continuity of the wood.

The large gable overhang was constructed by usingcantilevers on the ridge and purlins; 10” structural insulated panels were usedon the roof throughout and at the gables; and LVL structural splines were usedto help create the large overhangs.

One hallmark of Maybeck’s work is the use of native woods, and the timber frame itself is fresh-sawn Coastal Douglas fir from second-growth British Columbia forests. Surface texture on the frame was achieved by media blasting in situ, followed by two coats of custom-tinted, locally-produced CBR Broda Pro-Thane Ultra Clear.

Wood has also been employed throughout the home, not just structurally, but also decoratively: 

• Wide-plank rustic grade oak flooring, finished by liquid fuming to naturally age the material and highlight colour variations that could not be achieved with stains

• Windswept Weathered Wood exterior siding, evoking early-American timber frame barns

• Windswept Weathered Wood barnboard on interior walls; wide planked and wire-wheeled, contributing to the mission/art and crafts details

• Custom white oak millwork and doors, randomly hand-distressed and quartersawn to accentuate the medullar rays that extend across the boards, picking up on the red flame of the timber, red marble veins of kitchen and pantry countertops and the amber in the marble and floors

Other features of the home that reference Maybeck’s influence are the large windows, handcrafted details (particularly the custom designed and local artisan-created metal works), use of colour and integration with the surrounding landscape.  The wooden structure is used to great effect as a framework for balancing traditional and modern elements, and for evoking the magnificence of the Coastal forests while retaining the simplicity of the wood’s inherent warmth and beauty.

Other items of note:

• Tight construction, Energy Star appliances and low-flow fixtures contribute to the building’s EnerGuide rating of 88
• Vantage Automation System allows the owner to control temperature, lighting, A/V and security all from a single touch-screen, while also monitoring energy consumption.