Contemporary Timber-Frame

From cow-barns to churches, timber-framed buildings account for much of the New England’s vernacular architecture. They are cherished for sturdiness, the honesty of their construction, and the visibility of the craftsman’s hand. However, they were built to be economical, utilitarian, and to utilize locally available skills and materials. As building technology has shifted, they have become a luxury item, often serving a merely aesthetic function.

This off-grid hillside cabin expresses the beauty in the way we build now: with dimensional lumber and sheet goods, with mechanical fasteners and steel bracing. Wrapped in a thick blanket of insulation, the 2x6 structure is exposed on the interior, as is the structural sheathing that is also the finish material for the walls, ceilings, and floors. A treated, pole-barn style frame with a generous roof supports and protects the living spaces, which are joined by a covered deck.