Downey Timber Frame Home
Windsor, Vermont
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Home Design Features
First Floor: 1658 SF 4 Bedrooms
Second Floor: 1228 SF 3 Baths
Total SF: 2886 SF Vacation Home
Energy Efficient Systems & Materials:
Timber Frame
SIP Panels
Renewable Energy Considerations:
Solar Photovoltaics, Geothermal heat pump, wind turbine
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Charlie and Tracie have owned a beautiful piece of property in Windsor, Vermont for the past fifteen years and are planning to build a timber frame home there. The property, less than a mile from the Ascutney Mountain Resort and Ski Area, has an existing cabin overlooking a pond with a view of the mountains. The cabin has long been used for weekend retreats with extended family and friends. Instead of demolishing the cabin with all its cherished memories, Charlie and Tracie have decided to move it to a new location on the property and convert it to a guest house preserving its heritage – and serving a purpose. The new timber frame home (which has an estimated completion of 2010) will be located on the cabin’s original site, taking full advantage of solar orientation and the breathtaking views. (It is never too early to start the home design process! Starting early allows plenty of time to consider sustainable materials and features which can be incorporated into your energy efficient house plans.)
Not only does Charlie provide all of Bonin Architect’s insurance and financial planning needs through his business, Northland Downey Insurance Group, Charlie, Tracie, and their children, have become our family friends. We’re excited Charlie and Tracie contracted with us for the design and project management of their timber frame home after years of planning and research.
Click on drawings and floor plans for larger images.
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We’ve started the preliminary home design process with a black and white model of the exterior formation of the timber house, for massing and scale, which feature many indoor/outdoor uses for the home.
The timber frame design includes an octagonal sitting area location off of the kitchen, which will be combined with a breakfast nook to enjoy the mountain views & sunsets. Structural insulated panels will be utilized in this space, providing a continuous R-Value in both the walls and the roof area without thermal breaks or studs, helping to maximize the benefits of an energy efficient home. Charlie and Tracie eventually want their Master Bedroom on the first floor, so we designed an office with a walk-in closet and connecting bath which will eventually become their bedroom suite.
The mudroom entry includes cubbies with a shelves and hangers for coats, and a bench for shoe and boot storage. A Tulikivi soapstone masonry heater will become a focal point in the timber frame great room area. In addition to the Tulikivi, a wood burning fireplace will create ambiance on cold, snowy Vermont evenings.
Other sustainable considerations in this design will be a geothermal heat pump, solar energy using photovoltaics, and the possibility of a wind turbine which will convert wind energy to electricity.
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| The existing cottage on the property will be moved. |
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