Custom Timber Frame Island Home: A 28' x 36' Waterfront Retreat
We designed and crafted this 2,000 sq. ft. timber frame home to leverage its elevated island site, maximizing expansive lake views through a thoughtful inverted floor plan. To capitalize on the 'long views' down the lake, we placed the open-concept kitchen, living area, and master suite on the second floor, while the first floor houses three spacious guest bedrooms.
A custom 10' x 20' timber frame porch on the second level extends the living space directly into the canopy, offering a protected vantage point over the water. From the initial shop fabrication to the barge transport and island raising, this project is an exaple of our expertise working in remote environments.
Design Tip: The Inverted Floor Plan. By placing the kitchen and living areas on the second floor, we bypassed the shoreline tree line, giving our clients 180-degree views of the lake that wouldn't have been possible from the ground floor.
We hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed creating this very special BungalowInABox.
Construction Photos: Click a thumbnail to start this slideshow.
Floor Plan
Floor Plan - 2nd Floor
Elevation
3D Elevation
First Wood Delivery
Fabrication Begins
Cutting Joists
Sanding in Shop
Floor Joists
Preserving the Wood
Cut, Sanded, Stained
Measure Twice
Cutting Pockets
For Stair Opening
Long Tenon
Refining the Tenon
Cutest Rafters
Departure
Leaving Mainland
Arriving at Island
First Floor Deck
Organizing the timbers
Preparing the Bent
Raising First Bent
Is it plumb?
28' Beam
Drilling
Securing Joinery
Joists in Place
First Floor Frame
2nd Floor Begins
Floor Boards
Flying Posts
Assembling Bent
Straight and Tight
Tall Bent
Rafters Ready
Rafters Raised
Tight Joinery
Rafters On Deck
Elegant Joinery
Panels Arrive
Unloading Panels
Sheetrock
Panels Hooked
Thru the Building
Positioning Panel
Panel in Place
Sky View
Final Rafters
Rafter Secured
Finished Frame
From the Air
From the Water
Prepping Panel
Soaring Panel
Securing Roof Panel
Exposed Rafters
Placing Panel
Big Screws
End Panel
Looking Out
Inside View
Final Panel
Tall Posts
Porch Deck Frame
Deck in Place
Intricate Joinery
Precision
Timber Frame Posts
Raising Rafters
Around the House
Rafters Lined Up
Rafters in Place
Timber Frame Porch
Porch Ceiling
From the Water
Porch and Roof
View from Above
