Playing with the Saltbox
Jaan always said, “History is an Architect’s Great Inheritance”
Flipping History
The owner loved the roofline of traditional Saltbox houses. She also loved the idea of a modest front. We played with the idea of reversing the Saltbox - low in the front and tall in the back; the opposite of the traditional model. She loved the roofline.
“Architecture and Structure are One Discipline, Not Two” — I.M. Pei
The timber frame of the house is the roof line. Simple. Clear. One span defines the entry and the kitchen and the second span clear-spans the living space.
Timber and Wood Frame - Happy Together
The primary frame of the house is timber but the walls are made of wood studs. To inform the occupant of the structure not visible, we developed a raining for the main stair made from 2x6 construction grade studs.
2x6 Guardrail Reveals what is Hidden
The handrail of the main stair is made of the same type of studs as the frame of the walls. A subtle nod, a simple decision.
The Timber Can Span
To distinguish a traditional entry from a more modern entry, we left the timber roof frame cantilever. No corner post - necessity versus opportunity.
Playing with the Saltbox
