Designing your Log Home- Nicola LogWorks

There are three elements that govern a project:   budget, the level of quality, and the size of the building.  Choosing any two of these elements will determine the third. 

The perfect log home is the one you can afford. Before we put pencil to paper we need to know your budget for the total project. It is easy (it is almost inevitable), to get carried away while designing. Having a cost ceiling to govern the scope of the project makes the process go smoothly.

We also need to know about your site. A site plan is helpful if you have one, photos of your property and description of the views and surroundings will also be an asset. If your site is challenging, or your plans extensive, you may want to invest in a site visit.

Whenever possible we like to build a design team. Ideally this will include you, your log builder, general contractor, engineer as well as the designer. It may also include an architect. If you already have an architect on board, much of the above will have already been accomplished and the focus of your design team will be to translate the design into buildable, working plans.

Prior to , or upon entering a design agreement with Nicola LogWorks, we start with a consultation session, this allows John to review any sketches, or existing plans you may be working with. If you have photos, and other details you would like to make us aware of  - you can forward them to us via e-mail (scanned at about 72 DPI, and JPG format). You can also send images by mail or fax.

Once John has a clear understanding of the direction you are heading in, we will suggest several designers whose work we like and trust.  You will then be working directly with the designer of your choice, with John advising on structural/engineering and cost implications as the process develops.

Most of our design work is done by Cyril at RCM CAD Design, but we also work with several other excellent designers;  Murray Arnott and Tom Hahney whose approach may be more suitable to you and the scope of your dream home. Both Cyril and Murray  execute their plans on “Archicad”, a 3D modeling program, allowing the customer to get a very good visual feel of spaces and aesthetics. It is also a powerful tool for the log builder, enabling him to visualize the building processs. E-mail drafts are sent to you as the plan progresses, a 3D viewer is included in the file allowing you to view your project.

"We believe in getting it right on paper; good accurate well detailed plans are essential to a smooth building process."

Other considerations are listed below:

Design data at building site

1.      What is the local snow load? Wind speed? Seismic zone? Soil bearing pressure? Type of soil?

2.    How is drainage? What are the results of percolation tests done recently?

3.    List any local bylaws you may know of that could influence the design criteria? e.g. overall height restrictions, roof slopes, percentage of glazing area for total wall area, environmental restrictions, etc.

Land and Building Location

Have you determined the location and orientation of your house on your property?

Is your building site sloped or flat?

Describe what you see from the proposed building along all four axis of the proposed footprint of the home.

What is the first impression you wish to have as you enter the property? (Secluded, private, sheltered, prominent, inviting, other).

What kind of vegetation are you planning to keep or add to the site and what impact may it have on the log home at maturity

Identify the different entry points to the home, and how should they be noticed or hidden from the road or driveway?

Where is the septic field, water well, gas and power line in reference to the proposed building and access road?

E-mail us at logworks@uniserve.com for a copy of our Design and Planning Questionnaire. It is intended to help you think about your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Should you wish to engage us for your design services, the completed questionnaire will establish the direction of the design work. 

Siting Your House

On your site plan, indicate where the house will be positioned.  Your site plan should show major contours and grade, and other topography – trees, forest, swamp, meadow etc… this will help us consider the topographical impact of your surroundings.  Also indicate primary views and it’s features, wind direction, summer and winter weather and where the storms come from.

Once you have located the house site, we require photos taken along a compass reading. From your house site take four photos looking outward from each axis of the building, then take photos back along the compass bearing towards the house.  Record the compass bearings if possible.