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Building The Log House
| This was a project involving Max and Rowena and some of the Dorfliger family. Max comes from 3 generations of craftsmen, but he went a step biggerwith our 5 bedroom log house. He also made all the furniture using Macrocarpa wood from theBergli forests. Now Max has Amazing Glazing which does retro fit double glazing for wooden windows |
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The logs were prepared to our design by New Zealand Log Chalets, owned by Max`s brother Peter, in Rotorua.
Holes for steel rods and electric cables etc, are all calculated and pre-drilled We chose redwood from Rotorua forests, as it doesn`t need chemical treatment, and has a beautiful colouring.
First the veranda was put down, after milling our own gum trees.Then the fun starts....Giant Lego! |
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The amazing view was very important to us. To preserve this we had electric and telephone wires coming underground, the drive coming up at the back of the house with parking below, and we built on blocks, back from the ridge.
This ensured our grassed area in front of an unspoilt spectacular view.From the dining space, folding doors with 5 panels are planned for this space.
One visitor commented, "You don`t need any pictures on the walls...every window is an amazing picture."
Our Macrocarpa (Californian Cypress or Hinoki in Japan) from shelter belts on the farm provided the support posts in the living area. |
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| Solid logs formed the bottom storey, and the next floor is done with frames, as seen here, with similar looking planks nailed on. They have the same curve etc, so from the outside they all look the same. With the frames up, we had to go through doorways to get into "rooms"for the first time. It started to take shape. |
Framing for the roof. We used Terra Lana Recycled wool ( from old jerseys etc!) for the roof insulation, the same as in the walls.
The colour steel for the roof was put on the professionals...a big area, and the drop on the south side was considerable. In fact the contractor to do the spouting came in, took one look and refused to do it. So what happened? Max learnt very fast.
He mastered many new skills in the building of the house. The plumbing, the electricity, installing a wod range, etc. |
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| Having an environmentally friendly house is important to us. The recycled wool insulation is very effective, and so much easier to use. In fact, the first winter we actually put some inside duvet covers, when we didn`t have enough blankets! |
The kitchen bench and the wine rack. The bench tops and the dining table were made from the same Macrocarpa tree from the farm
All of the furniture in the guest rooms, is also made from Macrocarpa from the farm. Max has a chunky and artistic style, utilising the lively knots. |
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| Because the island bench is curved, the space between the dishwasher and the drawer beside it, leaves space for the wine rack on the outside. |
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