Stonebridge

This residential design was for an antique log cabin but using veneered logs as opposed to using solid antique logs for the structural of exterior walls. This posed several challenges with space planning and connecting multiple types of walls. The design had to assure that all wall schedules included all wall finishes both exterior and interior and the associated dimensions for each wall type included all layers to be used in the build to assure all walls fit together. Another challenge was the flow of the home as both owners work from home and needed to capacitate two large dogs and large family gatherings while integrating several existing furniture pieces that were of the family heirloom variety. This design is under construction in spring of 2024 with things moving slowly as the owners are really picking up the hammers and saws and completing quite a bit of the work alongside their “framer/builder.” It is sure to be a rewarding build for the owners and the sense of accomplishment will be from getting their initial design all the way through the final finishes on this beautiful NC mountain home.

Stonebridge was a new residential design to be built on a mostly flat property in the Blue Ridge mountains. The owners were anticipating a very DIY build with the assistance of a framer/builder. For the jurisdiction of the build permit the owner simply needed plans for which the owner anticipated doing as built changes as he and the builder went along. As with any design we do, we recommend the use of a structural engineer and that our conceptual designs be taken through working drawings by a certified architect or structural engineer. The owners asked for as much framing details to be provided for their set of plans, so the scope of this design went beyond conceptual design through to a set of working drawings with framing details, cut throughs and elevations as well as some CAD details showing structural components. This was done as an additional service with the agreement that these plans would be reviewed by a structural engineer prior to starting their build.

The result was a classic antique log cabin with modern structural framing with just under 2,400 sqft over 2 floors built over a conditioned crawl. The home featured an outdoor living space with a wood burning stacked stone fireplace and covered area accessible by a covered deck off the front and rear/side of the home. The interiors featured a loft that transitions to the primary bedroom and master suite as well as a stacked stone 2 story fireplace with wood burning fireplace insert in the main living area. The home has an open riser wood staircase as would have been used in the period of two-story cabins builds. The attached kitchen/morning room contains a passthrough to the large dining room off the rear of the home with flow to both the outdoor living area and the mud room and laundry where the dogs can be kept. To finish off the first floor, there is a guest bedroom/craft room with a full bathroom in the hall leading to this guest bedroom. The bathroom doubling as a powder room.

Through multiple online walk throughs in 3D, the owners were able to not only see the flow and light in the design from the multiple windows, but also see how some of their requested interior finishes on the walls, ceilings and floors would look once built. Kitchen cabinets were mocked up as placeholders showing that the space would work for the final cabinet design that the owners would work through with their interior designer.