Building a tiny timber framed home in the woods with friends...

"I can't build my house without the others, so we help each other"

When Philibert de l'Orme designed this type of roof it had many advantages over the architecture of the time. It removed the vertical columns and horizontal tie beams creating more space. The lighter structure reduced the load on the walls. The dome space was a significant increase the volume,  a gain of about 50% compared to a conventional triangular profile. The cost was lower because it used about 60% less wood and because the design used less wood his buildings were less vulnerable to fire.

The home rests on timber piers standing on stones on the steep slope of the woodland floor. This provides a south facing balcony designed like the bow of a ship. The timbers are all hand hewn with axes retaining much of the natural curves of the wood.

The frame [see picture No.1] is filled with a rough wattle and filled with cob, a mixture of clay, sand and straw [No.2] mixed by foot stomping in an old bath tub [No.3]. The insulation below the floor is sheep's wool [No.4] and the window are reclaimed [No.5]. The roof of the house is built curved to provide additional roof space which gives Menthé enough space for a sleeping loft [No.6].

A beautifully dressed porch with a green roof [No.7] provides the all important invitation the home. Decorating the entrance to your home is a design pattern, No. 249 'Ornament', recommended by Christopher Alexander in his book, A Pattern Language.

"Ornaments are not just optional additions which may, or may not be added to a building... a building needs them, just as much as it needs doors and windows", Christopher Alexander.