Truss Delivery Dangling in the Air No More

The architect's roof design is a unique one and is categorized as a flat roof but in fact, in North America, no roofs are actually flat at all. In order to ensure proper draineage roofs will have simple to elaborate angles to catch rainwater. We, in the County, experience dry weather in the dog days of August so it is an advantage to retrieve rainwater for use in a traditional kitchen herb garden.

So it came to pass that the architect designed initially a tilted roof rising to the north. Days before our truss delivery he began to struggle to redesign (in the dark hours of early morning) a more attractively tilted roof design. The roof lines of the main building section jut out extensively to the east and west rising in a dramatic winged fashion. Both wings meet centrally in a 'v' formation in the central north side to allow for rainwater descent.

After many delays, postponements and telephone communications regarding specifications, a new improved and fresh delivery date was offered to us. We held our breath until the delivery truck tires met our gravel road.

On October 8 the Architect and Mile Murtanovski a local artist who lives nearby at Small Pond Arts, an artists' community, were waiting together for the delivery of the trusses. Together they received the delivery and carefully placed with poetic grace the respective trusses as they would be needed by carpenters planning to arrive after the long weekend. Mile provided a keen eye, a quick step and another pair of capable hands to guarantee a safe truss delivery.

Throughout that two day period that they worked together, they carefully placed the cripple walls (short suspensions on the original sills at heights appropriate to the angle of the roofline) at the studio roof and around the main building as well.

The Architect's wife switched into a new role as camp cook after her arrival in the mini-house. Equipped with recipes, a full pantry and a wood stove she provided meals and coffee breaks for the 6 person crew. The mini-house has a carefully designed but compact kitchen so no recruits needed for kitchen staff-please and thank you. Once she learned the operation of its fine wood stove, the cook began to make simple wholesome meals and enjoyed its pleasant operation. There is nothing like the smell of a wood burning stove on a cool autumn night to say nothing for the appealing aroma of breakfast in the early morning.