Strawbale Home, Orillia, ON
Three 600-foot loops of pipe buried in the clay soil transport geothermal heat to warm the massive slab-on-grade foundation in this 2400 sq ft one-story home and attached garage.  The walls are constructed with a modified post & beam structure and strawbale infill for insulation, and the cathedral ceiling provides for extra storage up in the loft. Notably, the heating system was accidentally turned off for an entire week over Christmas break when temperatures had dipped to below minus 30; however the interior temperature of the super-insulated home had lost less than one degree per day! Possibly future needs were anticipated and accommodated by incorporating extra-wide interior doors, a walk-in shower, and acid-stained concrete floors to make this home wheelchair accessible. Extra framing, wiring, and plumbing were also added within the walls to reduce the cost of building an attached granny suite when finances permit phase two of construction.

Strawbale Addition, Bobcaygeon, ON
An existing 800 sq ft lakefront property underwent the first phase of extensive renovations, adding approximately 1600 sq ft on two floors with a strawbale addition. Sitting on bedrock, the slab-on-grade foundation was formed with ICF blocks and backfilled, considerably reducing the amount of concrete required. Two mature trees had to be removed for the addition, but were later incorporated into the structure – one being a cedar post on the deck located only a few feet from the stump where it had grown.  It is heated with an electric boiler and radiant floor heating on the main floor, and hydronic baseboard heaters on the second floor. Round logs, including three massive pines, were used to accentuate the soft curves of the strawbale walls. The owner plans to do the interior finishes on his own – a little retirement project over the next few years.

Storage Shed, Kingston, ON
A 12’ x 20’steel-clad storage shed was needed by the carpentry department at St. Lawrence College to store building materials from year to year. It was built on 6x6 piers resting on concrete footings, plywood floor and framed with standard 2x4’s. Cross bracing was let in on the front for extra stability. The building was designed to match the existing storage shed and the gymnasium to which they abut. It took approximately 3 weeks to complete with just myself working alone.

Built-in Bookshelves, Moose Jaw, SK
This one was for my wife Claire - a grade two teacher with a LOT of resource books. Our circa 1912 heritage home needed some extra storage and we wanted to maintain the character and craftsmanship of the period. It took nearly a week just to get the correct combination of 4 different stains to match the existing color, but well worth the effort in the end. The bookshelves took two weeks to complete, standing 8 ½ ft high with a deacon’s bench in-between. They are constructed from birch plywood, backed with pine bead board, and trimmed with Douglas fir to match the existing woodwork. The pine bead board was continued around the room as wainscoting to tie it all together.