A View of the Lake

Tom and Carol weren’t planning on a new home at all when they decided to move to Blind Lake outside Ann Arbor, Michigan; they were just going to renovate the family cottage. As part of that renovation they worked with architect H. Scott Diels to create an addition that would transform the small cottage into […]

The Moderns™ Part 2

Approximately two years ago, in response to an increasing demand for additional modern home floor plan concepts from our clientele, the Riverbend design team put itself to work on a new collection, The Moderns™. This distinctive timber frame home style, exclusive to Riverbend Timber Framing, blends our tradition of high-quality timber craftsmanship with the forward-thinking […]

Contemporary Charm

At Riverbend, we are used to clients telling us that they plan to build their timber frame for generations of use. This usually means they plan to pass their home down to the next generation, but in the case of Paul and Suzanne zumFelde, they decided to build a home not only for the generations […]

The Moderns™ Part 1

While architectural style is always an important topic for anyone considering a timber frame home, not everyone may know how timber framing and modern architecture beautifully complement one another. It’s for this reason that we begin a multi-part series focused on The Moderns™, our exclusive collection of concepts inspired by mid-century modern design. If your […]

Timber Framing History Part IV

Over the past several weeks, we have been exploring the history of timber framing. From Ancient Rome to the Baby Boomers, the crescendos of timber frame building have gracefully ebbed and flowed to present times. And, while traditional techniques, such as the use of mortise and tenon joinery, remain an important standard of good craftsmanship, […]

Timber Framing History Part III

This is the third article of a four-part series about the history of timber framing. For those of you currently living in the warm embrace of a timber frame home, we hope you have developed a stronger sense of the bond between your home and its relationship with the past. For readers pondering a timber […]

Timber Treasure

As soon as Bob Formisano decided to build a second home, he decided to partner with Riverbend Timber Framing. Bob, an architect by trade, already had a floor plan in mind and brought the concept and counted on Riverbend to refine the design and incorporate timber framing to complement the architecture. “I wanted the home […]

Timber Framing History Part II

Part One of this series on the history of timber framing saw us review thousands of years of history across multiple continents. Today’s article introduces you to the history behind timber framing’s rich traditions. Still carried out today, these traditions range from ceremonies to saw marks. One thing these traditions have in common? Each appears […]

History of Timber Frame Construction: Origins and Early Evolution

This month begins our four-part blog article series, “Timber Framing History.” As you contemplate designing and building your custom home, you may find yourself seeking a deeper understanding about the timber frame origins, geographical adaptation, and traditions of this ancient craft. By knowing a bit more about how traditional timber framing methods evolved over time, […]

Timber Mountain Retreat

When contractor Dean Hodgson decided to build a home for himself, he knew he wanted a mountain style design to fit his Abbotsford, British Columbia location. Thanks to his experience building Riverbend homes, he knew he wanted that mountain retreat to be timber frame as well. Hodgson chose local architect Maynard Raap to create the […]