Cornerstone Awards 2009

Silver Award Timber Frame Home in North Carolina

This North Carolina mountain home designed by architect Ken Wertheim, AIA, is a “hybrid” design,  combining a timber framed central core with conventionally built wings on either side. The entry is into the east wing, where there are a guest room with its own full bath en suite, a lavatory and a switchback stair leading upstairs. To the west is the Great Room, with its Douglas fir timber framing and three king post trusses that span the twenty foot room so no posts interrupt the flow. The Great Room faces out through patio doors to a covered porch on the southern, view side. To the west is a stone Tuliviki fireplace, which backs up to another conventional fireplace on an outdoor deck. The kitchen is on the entry side. It features pine cabinets and extensive stone counters for lots of cooking space. The central island has both a sink and the gas range, so while cooking one faces the Great Room, guests, and the southern view. The stone counters, simple pine cabinets and iron hardware all complement the casual feel of this home. Upstairs over the kitchen is the master bedroom loft, which is open to the Great Room below. Over the west wing are twin walk-in closets and a five fixture master bathroom. With the guest bedroom in the west wing, separate from the main living area, the owners can enjoy the space and views through the great room, with only a railing separating them from the cathedral space. The three custom king post trusses have curved braces, giving them a softer, arched look. The view of the home, taken from below, shows how the house opens up to its view, maximizing the light and giving it a Swiss chalet feel. The combination of compact, sensible plan and timber framing details turns this into a very special vacation house.