Your Frame: The Design Process

Design is an interactive process involving owners, architects / designers, timber framers and contractors. Whether residential or commercial, basic steps need to be taken to ensure that the timber frame structure meets your requirements. The following steps should be taken with any timber frame project. If you would like a more in-depth detailed guide of the design process, visit the Timber Framers Business Council web site, particularly the booklet Building a Timber Frame Home - A Clients Guide.

We have developed a 3-step design process that allows for flexibility, given that different regions require specific considerations. This process easily allows for the participation of other local professionals such as architects and engineers as may be required or desired.

Our 3-step timber frame design process

Phase 1: The Conceptual Design

In the first step, we take into consideration your site, function, feel and budget needs. The objective is to conceive a design through the following:

• A review of site details or the site plan (if one is provided);
• A review of sketches and/or floor plans that you provide;
• A site visit if practical.

We create a house design and timber frame design from the information provided. Included in the submission are:

• Floor plan(s);
• Building cross section(s) as required, with sections labeled as to methods and materials for construction;
• Building elevations as required to show roof configuration.

At this stage you have the opportunity to review and make changes to the building footprint (exterior limits), the building's floor-to-floor heights, and construction methods.

Phase 2: The Technical Design

Once you have signed off on the conceptual design, the technical details are added to the plans. At this stage, a preliminary engineering review and an estimate of the cost of the timber frame will be given.

Drawings included in this submission:

• Floor Plan
• Building Elevations
• Building Sections and Details
• Window & Door Schedules
• Preliminary Foundation Plan
• Timber Frame Design and Layout
  

Phase 3: Design finalized

You have the opportunity to make a final review of the drawings before we issue the plans for the building permit and construction of the project.

The final set of drawings include all of the above plus:

• Engineering of Timber Frame and Foundation.

Working with other designers

We are very pleased to work with homes that have already been designed or to work with architects and house designers to assist with the timber frame design.

Our service contract for this scenario includes the following:

• Review and design of timber frame from designs and plans provided;
• Contract includes consultation time with architect, designer or builder;
• All CAD drafting time as required;
• Client consultation and provision for 2 sets of revisions;
• Preliminary engineers review.