1998 Design Expo

The spirit of Feng Shui influenced the siting, design and choice of materials. The word "Feng" means wind and "Shui" means water. "Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of placement of things ranging from the orientation of buildings to the furnishings of interiors, to influencing the qi or cosmic breath of a site." Common sense and good taste applied in combination with Feng Shui created a balanced design.

The design process was a collaborative effort with the owners, the architect David Garrett, and Acorn Timber Frames. The owners' program called for the structure to be a self contained studio, made of durable low maintenance materials, near the water, inviting one to experience nature from inside while giving easy access to venture out. At the base of their property, it was important that the building blend into the coastal landscape with its form and color. The ultimate goal was a place to retreat to and enjoy.

The form for the studio started out on paper as a pagoda with a steep pitch and flared rafter tails. It evolved into a bow roof with large windows on the water side. The design continued to evolve in the shop as the raw materials revealed their potentials and Dan described the possibilities to the owners.

The wood was sourced to meet and enhance the design, while the design brought out the characteristic of the wood. Dan loves to travel (having traveled in over 34 countries) to alluring locations. After finishing a contract for a timber frame in South Dakota, and skiing with friends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, he continued to Vancouver island to pick up the timbers for this project. Tromping through clear cut areas with stumpage left behind, he searched out appropriate pieces for timbers and ship knee braces. He also acquired interesting stock for future projects!

The balsam fir post in the loft was found in Acorn’s firewood pile. When peeled, it was so sticky that Dan threw it into the pond (where the frogs were seen sunbathing on it) for a couple of days. Then it was washed with Murphy’s oil soap and given a coat of Danish oil, giving the resulting silky look.

The three rafters all came out of the same log. As Dan was laying out the cutting lines for the rafters, he could not bring himself to cut down the 24 inch rafter tail to make a 10 inch uniform curved rafter. After he consulted with the owner and architect, these became long soaring tapered rafters, in a free form curve. Like the bow of a wave!

The building is small but feels expansive because of the soaring roof line and the incorporation of the three exterior decks within the structure. Meandering large tiles lead one to the outside fire pit and to the side deck with bench and wind chimes. The curved deck in front with sundeck chairs was designed so there was no need to have a rail, you can walk right off onto the plush grass. Natural slate with a greenish hue, quarried in Nova Scotia by Scotia Slate Products, enhances the colour of the wood. Two pieces of slate were cut for the stove pipe making a wall shield behind the stove, pieces were also used for the hearth.

The raising took place as the apple blossoms were blooming. A merging of several traditions occurred during the raising. One of the posts was "stepped like a mast," a coin was placed on the platform then the post lowered into place. Family, friends and timberwrights participated in signing pegs and pounding them in to hold the joinery of the structure together. Upon completion of the raising a small tree was placed on the ridge of the timber frame structure, an ancient Scandinavian and timber framing tradition. This tradition pays homage to the trees used in the frame and as a token of thanks for a safe and successful raising. The day ended with a celebration feast.

Project Details

The west coast cedar timber frame is 14’ x 28’ with a loft and 14’ x 9’ curved deck. Cedar floor joist system sitting on Big Foot piers. Cedar shingles with copper flashing. All exterior metal fastenings are stainless steel to resist the corrosion from the salt air. Enclosed from the inside-out with a 2’ x 6’ curtain wall, fiberglass insulation, and rigid insulation in the floor. Acorn supplied the elm flooring, a durable hardwood (off-cuts when milling timbers for elm timber frames) whose color complements the cedar.