Retreat Cove House
The Retreat Cove House was built in collaboration with architect Robert Lemon. The house is set into a sloping bank at the rear and opens toward a grassy meadow and water views at the front. A full foundation wall supports the uphill side, while the front elevation is carried on pads and columns. This approach grounds the house from the entry side and gives it a lighter appearance when viewed from below.
The project incorporates a combination of standard framing with engineered trusses, along with glulam members and locally sawn timber beams. A timber truss in the main living area was assembled on site using sawn timbers and integrated steel connections. The structural systems were coordinated to maintain clarity while responding to span and load requirements.
Detail:
North-facing side elevation at dusk. Interior light filters through timber slats, with the exterior stair marking the upper entry.
Key FeaturesHybrid structural system combining engineered framing, glulam, and site-built timber truss
On-site milled cedar window frames and flush interior baseboards
Horizontal 1x6 cedar channel siding installed without exterior trim
Sliding wood partition door to close off lower bedroom wing
A separate upper-level sleeping area with its own bathroom is accessed by a covered timber stair from the mudroom. This arrangement provides privacy and flexibility while maintaining a compact footprint.
Window frames were built on site from local cedar, particularly within the screened porch, where they reinforce a timber frame expression. Interior detailing follows the same approach. Flush baseboards were milled on site, and custom woodwork was fabricated to integrate lighting and highlight transitions between spaces.
Detail:
The interior is a balance of understated walls and cabinetry, with the combination of wooden floors and visible structure.
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