Timber Frame Consultants, LLC

Timber Frame Consultants go to Moscow!

The Sapsan company is a major builder of “cottage villages” in the booming residential market of the Moscow suburbs. Timber Frame Consultants, LLC was contacted in June of 2007 with a request for consultants to visit the Knyazhe Lake cottage village where 300 of a total 500 homes have already been built. The price tag for the mid range home is $800,000 dollars which how the prices were quoted, not in rubles. This is in large part due to the fact that many components and materials are imported so staff architects, designers and purchasing agents have to be able to convert rubles to dollars and centimeters to inches on a regular basis.

Sapsan officials wanted a review of the methods and materials they were using in the construction of these homes to see if there were better building techniques and tools than the ones they were using. Their architects and construction supervisors also had the opportunity to become familiar with American style timber frame construction with heavy timber frames that allow for cathedral ceilings. The consultants demonstrated this unique style of architecture as well as the use of sips panels for walls and roof systems which can provide superior insulation against the cold, Russian winters.

Paul G. Patterson of Deerfield Design and Jeff Davis of Davis Frame Company were the traveling consultants. Timber Frame Consultants, LLC is an association of industry professionals offering free information and advice on their website and consulting services on a fee basis. Modern timber framing was demonstrated to the Sapsan staff in a series of power point slide shows which were thought to be the most effective way to convey information even though an interpreter would be present for all meetings. A picture really is worth many words in those situations. The slide shows consisted of:

• Timber Frame Structural Design and Joinery - Demonstrating the various types of frames and joinery methods
• Software and Design Technique - A look at various software from simple cad to 3d modeling to Cadworks software linked directly to robotic milling machines
• Tools and Equipment - An overview of simple hand tools through to a video of an automated shop
• Materials and Engineering - A review of various species of wood for frames along with engineering characteristics
• Closure Systems - Sips panel systems as well as hybrid methods for closure of the shell
• Architectural Design in Timber Framing - Slides of the variety of archtitectural style in the US timber frame market today
• Marketing and Sales - Web sites, brochures and home shows are discussed as tools to marketing
• Costs of Materials and Labor - The cost of materials and manufacturing labor as well as estimates on field installation of frames and panels

Overall, the consultants found the materials and methods being used on the homes to be of superior quality. They toured the sawmill and panel manufacturing facility where logs were milled, air or kiln dried, and planed prior to the construction of precise wall panels and roof trusses. At the peak of operations the mill can turn out components for 10 houses per month.

Below the consultants tour homes under construction while their interpreter, Rustam searches for the perfect word.

The days were long and there was little time for tourism but the consultants did make it into Red Square to view the Kremlin and the ancient churches there. Shopping for souvenirs on the Arbat was another must do item.

In summary, The Knyazhe Lake cottage village was very well planned to provide a safe and luxurious haven for Moscow's wealthy elite. The village boasts an elementary school, a restaurant with picturesque dining cottages shown below and playgrounds and paddle boats overlooked by a life sized wooly mammoth who will soon be displayed in his own house to guard against the coming winter storms and the children who enjoy pulling his tail.