Now that the log walls are stacked out, it’s time to start on the roof system.  While setting the walls takes some skill, it is quickly learned, and repeated over, and over, and over again.  This cabin stacked out pretty quickly. With the roof system being set, comes an order of magnitude in complication.  In [...] Read More

This might be of interest to some of our log home and timber frame home friends. Good news/bad news, depending on which side of the tree you are on. This will have an impact on the whole housing industry though, not just the full timber homes. From The Idaho Business Review by Brad Carlson Published: [...] Read More

Last posting we saw the foundation going in, and the first course being stacked up.  Honka offers many different profile sizes and shapes, and utilizes an interlocking corner.  What’s unique about their profile system is the interlocking ball at the corner.  This maximizes the surface area on contact at the corners.  I recommend investigating any [...] Read More

The start of the log package’s journey to Colorado… These logs, grown in Finland, milled in Finland, and shipped to Colorado, have an interesting life story.  The Northern Pine that grows in Finland is denser than our version, because of the shorter growing season, and harsher climate, it creates a very strong log. The foundation [...] Read More

Last year we had the opportunity to work with a wonderful client in Larimer county, north central Colorado, to build a small cabin retreat for the North Colorado rolling hills.  Our client chose to utilize Honka logs from Atrium Log Homes located in Evergreen, Colorado.  What I’d like to do in my next few posts, [...] Read More

We recently had the pleasure of visiting one of our smaller structures as it is going through its final steps before completion.  Derek Hurd of Gravitas worked with a couple from Texas that were permanently relocating to Boise, Idaho.  They asked Derek to design for them a small accessory dwelling unit (ADU), behind the home [...] Read More

      The Clearwater will be built in Lenore, Idaho, overlooking the Clearwater River.  At three levels, with 2,681 SF, it can accommodate a growing family, or the empty nester.  The view of the river from the rear is accentuated with a full height gable, and two, wide porches.  The upper level has a [...] Read More

So we didn’t bring you this news as it broke, but better late than never. This year Gravitas was runner up for Best Log Home Plan Under 2500 SF. This home is adapted from a systems built home we did for a Colorado client. Thanks Log Home Living for the recognition of creative design in [...] Read More

A home we designed for a homeowner in Park City. The site was located in a equestrian development so the home was designed to fit in as if it were part of a larger barn complex. There is an indoor endless pool and a large guest suite over the garage. This home is within sight [...] Read More

I just returned from a pleasant trip to the east coast to attend the Log & Timber Home Show in Chantilly, Virginia. We were invited to the show by Chad Clark of Handcrafted Log Homes and met a lot of great log and timber frame suppliers as well as individual clients. There was a lot [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The Santee The Santee is a custom home we designed for a couple about to retire to the Owyhee Desert for some quiet and peaceful living. This home has a open floor plan with a Main Level Owner’s Suite. The Upper Level accomodates the guests and open area for a home office. Sunsets from the lookout will be [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The Carson The Carson is a hybrid log home that has a dovetail core with interior log walls and standard framed wings. The integration of multiple materials using the dovetail log, board & batten, and  shake shingle siding adds to the rustic charm of this home. This home has a [...] Read More

The Gunnison  plan that we first designed in 2006. Also see the next post, The Gunnison B is a modification of this plan and shows how we can work from existing home designs and modify them to fit the needs of  different home owners. This is a classic prow layout that we are all familiar with but with a more contemporary entry and steeply [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The Lamar The Lamar is a two story dovetail and timber home that will be built in Kentucky. A traditional “T” shaped plan makes for a spacious Main Level plan laid out for open accessible living. The Upper Level has four additional bedrooms for guests or a large family [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The North Fork The North Fork plan below is a home we designed last year for a client in Wisconsin. This is a basic getaway cabin plan for simple living. The Main Level is open for entertaining and relaxed living. A spacious Owner’s Suite on the Main Level for [...] Read More

The Gunnison B is a modification to a plan that we made in 2006. A client wanted to change the home to have the garage attached.  This makes for a different mud room entry into the kitchen. This is a classic prow layout that we are all familiar with but with a more contemporary entry and steeply pitched roofs. The Upper Level has a [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The Gallatin The Gallatin plan below is a home we designed for a client in Idaho. This is an efficient single level plan with very modern lines and contemporary building materials.  The Owner’s Suite has a large split bath with integrated walk in closets. The Owner’s baths share a connection [...] Read More

The Salinas is a hybrid timberframe home with some unique features.  This home is designed for off-site construction (Systems Built, or modular). A very contemporary design with mono pitch roofs, a unique private Owner’s Suite that stands by itself and a full rentable “Accessory Dwelling Unit” or In-Law suite on the street side of the lot. Media Room, Office, Wine Room, [...] Read More

They Yakima is a large log home with three Owner’s Suites. This home also has a large in-home office for telecommuting and small business needs. This home was built in the Northern California. We design homes all across the country for all sorts of people with their own needs and wants lists. This home is [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The Oswego The Oswego is a home we designed for a client in Loveland, Colorado. This gentleman gave the home to his wife as a surprise gift. It was our first covert design operation where we had to plan our meetings and our calls at select times to keep [...] Read More

The latest in the Gravitas Design Series: The Madison  The Madison is the quintessential log home plan with a few features that you don’t always see. A large Grand Entry with a double fireplace and curved stairway greets guests. Outdoor living space is not in short supply with decks and covered porches wrapping the entire home. [...] Read More

We wanted to share the Shasta Cabins with everyone, some of you have them in your plan books and some of you may have seen them online but I wanted to make sure everyone on the e-mail list has a chance to see the micro-side of Gravitas.  The Shasta Cabins are a series of cabins that [...] Read More