Inside a Cozy Michigan Timber Frame Home

When Detroit architect Bob Formisano came up with the idea for his family’s second home, he knew just who to turn to. He’d been working closely with Stewart Elliott, sales manager for Riverbend Timber Framing, for two years on a software program that helps determine the costs of building a custom timber frame house and knew that Stewart, author of The Timber Frame Raising, along with the folks at Riverbend Timber Framing had what it would take to build what he had in mind: a timber frame house with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

 

“I wanted the home to highlight the best of what a timber frame can be,” says Bob. He also wanted the house to be as green and energy efficient as possible. It was a tall order to be sure, but the two hammered out a design over cups of coffee and bottles of beer. After Bob created the initial design, Stewart came up with a timber frame house plan, using traditional timbers in the main living areas and partial timbers with no posts in the kitchen and library. The breezeway and garage are constructed of SIPS, upping the house’s energy rating.

 

Positioning the main living areas to face southwest to take advantage of the summer breeze was another opportunity to maximize energy efficiency. And to keep things eco-friendly, he cut down as few trees on the 10–acre lot as possible and used forest-salvaged inland fir (FSIF) for the main timbers, along with cherry wood for the braces and pegs, and walnut-stained oak. Other green materials include low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, recycled wood-paneling for the library and a cast-stone gas fireplace. Bob’s careful planning paid off. His 6,200-square-foot five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath timber frame house on Pearl Lake, 15 miles west of Traverse City, Michigan, has garnered six awards for its energy efficiency. Indeed, the timber frame house is the largest ever to have won the Michigan state energy star award. “It’s 62 percent more efficient then the average home,” Bob says.

 

Timber producer: Riverbend Timber Framing