The majestic, snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks of Canmore, Alberta provide a magnificent backdrop for an exceptional new timber frame home suitably named "Lore of the Woods". This magnificent residence also represents the pinnacle of achievement for new home construction in all of Canada. Recently this house was bestowed the coveted "Most Outstanding New Home in Canada" award by the Canadian Home Builders Association, the highest award attainable in Canadian residential construction. This award celebrates the thoughtful and innovative combination of excellence in design, construction and building technology. "We were thrilled to hear our home captured top honours for all of Canada" confided proud homeowners Debby and Garry Beres when asked about this prestigious award. "We consider everyone who worked on our home to be artists and we’re very pleased that they were all recognized nationally for their exceptional work and talent."

The timber framework for this award-winning home was designed and crafted by Thistlewood Timber Frame Homes of Markdale, Ontario. The timber frame was raised and the house was general contracted and finished by Robert Mitchell of Canmore, an authorized Dealer for Thistlewood. Upon being given free reign by Debby and Garry regarding artistic and creative interior finishing decisions, Robert and his crew of local artisans and sub-trades embraced the opportunity to display their talents. "We all knew this was going to be a very special house from the very outset" explains Robert. "Even as construction progressed, you could see everyone’s commitment to doing their very best work." Under Robert’s innovative and watchful eye the home evolved into a true masterpiece and showcase of unique artistic details.

The entire home celebrates wood as a building and finishing medium. The structural timber frame system crafted with Eastern white pine timbers with black walnut accents is joined entirely with mortise and tenon connections secured with wooden pegs. All the timbers are fully revealed to the interior in the finished home and become an integral part of the overall decor. Handcrafted timber embellishments and carvings are unique features of the timberwork that display the artisans creative touch. In this home the structure itself provided the powerful interior design theme from which other complimentary interior details were derived. The "honey-amber" patina of the natural pine timbers creates a warm and appealing ambience throughout this beautiful home. The timber frame was also used to subtly define spaces in the open-concept floor plan. Rooms "flow" one to the next, creating a visual journey in every direction that is guided by natural light and mountainscape views. This home celebrates the use of natural wood as a finishing medium. Sixteen different species of natural, solid wood including Black cherry, hackberry and agathis, were selected for their inherent color and patina and were used throughout the interior to provide natural hues and tones that unite the details of the timber frame, cabinets and millwork.

This home allows areas of complete privacy and also common, public spaces ideal for entertaining. The master bedroom, complete with ensuite bath is located above the main garage and creates a quiet refuge away from the rest of the home. The main level features a spacious, westerly facing great room, well appointed kitchen, dining area and wet bar. In the basement below are bedrooms for the clients two teenage boys, a 4 piece bathroom and a home theatre room. Other special spaces in the house include an artists’ loft, wine cellar and pottery studio.

At every turn this home prominently displays artistic, handcrafted detail. An indoor rock-climbing wall constructed by stone artisan Jasper Browning with locally quarried "Rundlestone" in flowing contours ascends three storeys and provides both physical challenge and visual appeal. Handcrafted cabinetry with special details such as a slate backsplash in the silhouette of the local "Three Sisters Mountain" range is but one example of the detail seen throughout this home.

This home features some of the newest innovations in homebuilding technology. The heating system for the home is in-floor radiant heat fuelled by a high efficiency natural gas boiler. Each room is "zoned" for comfort and rooms not in use can have the heat lowered to reduce heating costs. This is a "smart" house. All heating, lights and security is controlled by a computer. While Debby and Garry Beres are away, the house temperature is lowered. The heating system can then be activated by using the telephone to adjust the temperature just before they return. Stresskin insulation panels provide an efficient and snug enclosure system, an ideal method to protect against the harsh mountain winters of Alberta. A heat recovery ventilator recycles warm interior air and provides a continuous supply of fresh air throughout the entire house.

Other interior finishing details reflect the overall timber frame theme. Upon nearing completion of the house construction, Debby Beres soon found it very difficult to find suitable furniture that would compliment the scale of their home and the other woodworking details. The solution was actually quite simple: build the furniture too! Builder Robert Mitchell was more than happy to oblige this request and the result was the handcrafting of exceptional, one-of-a-kind tables, beds and cabinetry utilizing the "mortise and tenon" theme so prevalent throughout the structural timber frame.

On the exterior, the steep, down-sloping lot created many challenges for designer Loren Harms. "The house literally cascades down the hill and the various floor heights reflect the rapid decline in elevation" explains Loren when queried about challenges regarding mountain-style architecture. The overall design theme is locally referred to as "Alpine" architectural style and special care was taken by all those involved to construct this home with the least amount of negative impact on the local environment. Only those trees within the building envelope were removed and others were carefully wrapped for protection to prevent damage during construction. Located on an upper, eastern plateau in the Bow River Valley directly above the town of Canmore, the breath taking views of snow capped rocky mountain peaks to the west demanded the design both compliment the site and capture the grandeur of the local surroundings.

As with any home building project, there is much time and many resources invested in the design and construction process. If any one home can display the thought, care and passion for the craft of home building, surely this is the one. Visitors openly gaze in wonder at the seemingly endless design details throughout the house. "Lore of the Woods" is truly a celebration of design, material and craft and the pinnacle of home building achievement and success.