Summer home

How can a big house be made to seem smaller? That was the question posed by the architects of this new Cape Cod beach house as they set about designing a home that would be large enough for an active family and summer guests, yet not so big that it looked like a mansion.

The solution for LDa Architects was to create a roof hierarchy a varied roof line with three distinctively separate gable elements. Constructing such a complex building provided a technical challenge for the general contractor, GF Rhode Construction.

Principal Grant Rhode says that the design created a framing puzzle for the team.

"While the architectural plans looked cozy and intimate, the structural plans were more intimidating. A lot was going on behind the scenes. We could see that framing this roof was going to be like putting together a 1000-piece puzzle.

"The second floor is tucked under the roof in a series of dormers and gables over a central house core. The design was further complicated by overhanging verandahs and two skewed wings, designed to maximize the bay views."

Rhode says that the early framing of the house was achieved quickly, with the only specialty framing below the roof consisting of 14 shear walls bolted, with a special epoxy, into the foundation.

"The house is long and narrow with few interior cross walls, so these shear walls were designed to keep the building from buckling under the pressure of wind on the sail-like bay facade."

Rhode says that although the roof system comprises three main roofs, there are more than 24 separate structures, all topped with a skin of red cedar shingles. The highest ridgeline is over the central block. The middle height ridge is above the west garage and bedroom wing, and the lowest ridge is over the east guest wing.

Despite the challenges, this project is typical of the work undertaken by GF Rhode Construction. The company specializes in the construction and project management of sizeable residential projects, and it hires and oversees subcontractors and suppliers in all core and specialty trades.

"We keep all members of the construction team organized and in concert with the owner's goals and the architect's vision," says Rhode.

For more information, contact GF Rhode Construction Inc, 1666 Hyde Park Ave, Boston, MA 02136, phone (617) 364 2700, fax (617) 364 4085. Website: www.gfrhode.com.

Story by: Trendsideas