Words by Imogen Whale, Photos by Keri Knapp
Update: This article on the Jacob Residence was first featured in the October/November issue of Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine. We learned this week that the Jacob Residence builder Jordan Cochrane Construction was just named Builder of the Year at the Kootenay Manufacturing Awards. You’ll see from the story and photos below of their most recent build that the award was well deserved.
The Challenges
The entire 10,000-square-foot home is a timber frame post and beam structure. “It means everything had to be bang on before the timbers arrive,” explains Scott Heale, Lead Hand for Jordan Cochrane Construction Ltd. (JCC). “All the footings and foundation must be perfect because if they’re not, the joints won’t fit together.” Once the timbers arrive, each piece unique, the build continues like a large-scale puzzle with no room for mistakes.
Jordan Cochrane, owner of JCC and the General Contractor, agrees with Heale, noting the scale of the timber frame paired with the building time crunch was the most difficult aspect of the build.
“We didn’t get the timber frame until the fall,” says Cochrane. “That meant we sometimes worked out of order. We had to get the timbers up and protected by the roof before we installed the tongue and groove wood ceiling.”
On the design side, Kyle Willms of Willms Design Inc. had to create “a balance of traditional sensibility with some contemporary flavour, specifically with the interior finishes. We worked closely with the clients to bring innovative interior finishes and lighting while still maintaining the recreational mountain feel of the home.”
The Building
“Views of prominent features in the valley, including Mt. Begbie and Mt. Cartier as well as the slopes of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, directed the shape and orientation of the home to take full advantage of its surroundings,” explains Willms.
The home is built in a C shape, encompassing numerous mountain vistas and allowing windows to bring sunlight into the home from sunrise to sunset. In addition to daylong natural lighting, the unique shape also acts as a passive heating mechanism.
Unique Interior Features
Staircase. This wood and metal creation by Lortap Enterprises Ltd. is functional art, curving back and forth from the basement to the loft.
Hallway. The hallway leading to the bedrooms and guest suite is lined with north facing windows. It is extra wide and boasts built in bookshelves by Lortap Enterprises Ltd, cable lighting and a cozy reading nook.
Multiple fireplace. A double-sided outdoor fireplace, large living room fireplace, kitchen nook hearth and a small fireplace in the loft keep the stonework woven throughout the house.
The Feel
“One thing we really like about this project is that even though there is a lot of square footage, it feels warm and cozy,” explains Willms. It’s a sentiment echoed by everyone from homeowners to the JCC crew.
Timber Frame
While standard timber frame homes have the beams on the inside, the massive beams of the Jacobs’ residence, cut and supplied by Daizen Joiner Ltd. from Kamloops B.C., mean the walls are built between timbers. The beams are visible on both the inside and outside of the house. ISL Engineering worked with the JCC team. Willms Design Inc. and Daizen Joinery Ltd worked together to ensure structural integrity.
Masonry Work
The stunning rock fireplaces in the house were created by Andy Bostock of AB Stonework and Masonry. Each piece was hewn and shaped for the build, producing a high-end artisan effect while being functional and adding to the natural ambience of the home.
Heating
The Jacobs looked into both solar and geothermal and settled on geothermal, installed by Hellbent Geothermal out of Golden, BC. The heating extends from the home and underneath the stone paved entrance at the back of the home. The plan is to keep shovelling to a minimum. Numerous south facing windows and the several wonderful stone hewn fireplaces can help supplement heating needs if required.
Basement
Partial. A carpeted home theatre room and a large mechanical room make up the basement. The mechanical room hosts a water filtration system and is where the hard work of Canyon Industrial Electric and Axiom Mechanical Plumbing and Gas Fittings comes together.
Lifestyle Goals
Bringing the outdoors inside. Owners Maja and Greg Jacob spend their free time outside where they enjoy running, skiing, climbing and paddling.
“We live in Canada so we have long winters, of course,” Maja says, “but wherever possible we wanted to blend the line between indoors and outdoors.” One way this was realized was the installation of a wall made of several large windows on tracks, by Kolbe Gallery Vancouver, that open like a bifold door.
A large outdoor covered patio with double-sided stone fireplace and hot tub are still under construction.
Maja’s Danish roots are celebrated through the use large pendant lights in the living room and the wide floorboard styles supplied by Take To Heart Specialty Wood Products.
Family Life
The Jacobs have two kids and their home had to suit the entire family’s needs. The bedrooms all boast mountain views. Close to the bedrooms is a flex space where the kids can hang out. At the end of the hall is a guest suite where extended family members have their privacy. Upstairs, the open loft space is divided by a walkway. On one side there are offices for both Maja and Greg, and on the other side is a cozy den with a small bar, TV, foosball table and fireplace.
It Takes a Team
“Everyone on this site: subcontractors, RONA — who kept up with all our supply needs — and especially the JCC crew, had to bring their best to this site,” Cochrane explains.
“The JCC building crew did amazing work. They were precise and had to be perfect,” agrees Heale. “I can’t emphasize it enough; it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for them.”
“We value the involvement of Daizen because they are passionate about projects and provide structural and design sensibility with regard to timber frames,” Willms said, speaking to the collaborative nature of the Jacobs’ build. “It isn’t often we have the client so involved with every aspect of the build itself. The Jacobs worked closely with us, Daizen and Jordan Cochrane throughout every aspect of the build. This is truly a unique and personal project for the client.”
Do you have an innovative new build you want featured in Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine? Contact us a info@revelstokemountaineer.com.