Finally building our dream cabin!

[2porscheguy]

I've not posted in quite awhile.....time for an update! We've finally gone ahead and dove into our long awaited project. We've owned this beautiful property on Shuswap Lake in central BC for 20 years now, making full use of our Triple E Topaz fifth wheel since 2007 as our makeshift "cottage". Though it did serve us well, time to move on!

We had some preliminary plans designed over the winter. I subsequently built a scale model (1/4" = 1 ft) of the structure on out lot. The lot is extremely steep but offers a fantastic lakeview as well as a view of our 106 slip Strata marina down below:





Upon closer inspection, once the snow cleared, it was determined that the steepness of the lot would be too challenging. We decided to move the structure 12' closer to the front of the lot and with that we had to forgo both the garage and the side walkway. The rest of the structure would stay as planned. We began with the foundation work in late May and this is how she looks as of 2 weeks ago:










Approx 1900 sq ft 2 story with crawlspace; reverse floor plan: upper floor being the main floor, kitchen, great room with wood burning (Pyromaniac here...I like my fires like I love UU...all natural!) corner fireplace, main bath, main bedroom; lower floor: 2 bedroom, bath, mechanical room, storage, and family room; 2 large decks, upper deck partially covered; lowest floor heated crawlspace with 7 foot ceilings; ICF foundation

Completion is set for early November and so, unfortunately, we've had to pretty much give up one summer, though our very kind neighbour has allowed us use of their cabin when no one's there. We've also got just enough room to park our motor home on occasion. We are looking forward to November for sure!

[rfuerst911sc]

Looks beautiful ! Enjoy the build hope all goes as planned .

[stevej37]

That will be very nice when completed....perfect for that terrain.

[thingmon]

Let's see more of that view. Looks amazing in the background. Great model too.

[look 171]

All right, party at 2Porscheguy's cabin.

Were you required to install caissons back there? The place looks amazing.

[911boost]

Very nice!

I am close to pulling the trigger on some land in Wyoming that would require an off the grid type build. Like you, I would be using either my current camper or buying something cheaper to park up there year round and just bring in water and take out waste.

Good luck!

[sc_rufctr]

Wow... "Nicely Done" and I love your model!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Looks beautiful ! Enjoy the build hope all goes as planned .

Thanks!

Well the build is going pretty good and is mostly on schedule NOW but it didn't start off...smoothly let's just say! Spring is an especially busy time for construction in the Shuswap Lake area of BC so it was very important to get all trades and subcontractors lined up and booked in well in advance for this project to evolve in a timely manner. So on day 1, Monday, May 8, the excavation crew showed up to start but, there was a problem. Although my plans were all approved, I hadn't received my building permit yet...CRAP! I got a call from the WRBP Strata (a strata is very much like an HOA in the US) as I was home in Calgary and not on site. They ordered me to cease and desist ALL WORK IMMEDIATELY! I said...sorry, can't do that..crews are all lined up..gonna be another 3 months before I can get them back on site! NO! They then stated that if I didn't comply that I would be subjected to a fine. I asked how much is the fine? $200.00......I replied..."I'll pay the fine!" CLICK!! The BP came 2 days later...LOL!

[Seahawk]

Remarkable place.

I found the lake and it just must be spectacular.

I think, just me, that the way the cabin sits makes it more appealing.

Well done.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Our family has a 40 yr. old bluff top home in Baja California MX that is very similar in design. The concrete foundation structure holding the lower balcony posts are twice the size of what I see.
Is something else buried?
The bottom of each of the concrete support structures is convex.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by stevej37

That will be very nice when completed....perfect for that terrain.

What’s also a big bonus for us is that there is no lot to build on to the left of us. It’s all Strata property (common area) which gives us much privacy which isn’t a bad thing to have for a recreational property!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by thingmon

Let's see more of that view. Looks amazing in the background. Great model too.

A winter view…



Across the lake is the community of St. Ives…20 minutes by boat but it’s a 4 hour drive! Shuswap Lake is the second largest lake in BC. It consists of 6 arms in the shape of an H…all very long…and it’s DEEP…800 ft in some spots.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by look 171

All right, party at 2Porscheguy's cabin.

Were you required to install caissons back there? The place looks amazing.

Party fursure next summer! Any PPOT fellow Pelicans travelling in the area, especially in your P car, give me a heads up. I’m about a 30 minute drive off of Highway 1 at Sorrento, BC.

No caissons but quite a few deep piles for the deck. Our marina I believe did require many caissons.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Remarkable place.

I found the lake and it just must be spectacular.

I think, just me, that the way the cabin sits makes it more appealing.

Well done.

Seahawk,

We are in a Strata called Wildrose Bay Properties:

www.wildrosebay.bc.ca

We are on the Shuswap arm of Shuswap Lake, across from St. Ives. It is truly a gem of a place. Fantastic boating and it’s BIG N LONG!…that’s what she said! The really cool part of it is that approximately 1/3 of the vast shoreline is provincial park which is great for finding your very own beach or lagoon for a day and just hangin’ out. It’s also the houseboat capital of Canada. In fact that’s how we found the place back in 2003…on a houseboat trip with friends. But damn, I should have bought 3-4 lots for real cheap back then!!

A former fellow PPOT member…Big Rob used to post a lot on PPOT but I guess hasn’t since selling his 993 Turbo awhile back. He’s from this part of BC. I don’t know him personally but I do see his real estate listing signs from time to time.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Very nice!

I am close to pulling the trigger on some land in Wyoming that would require an off the grid type build. Like you, I would be using either my current camper or buying something cheaper to park up there year round and just bring in water and take out waste.

Good luck!

Beauty! I've been through Wyoming...it's cowboy country and very scenic so good on you! Building off the grid is really so cool and very adventurous for sure. I admire those who can do it and do it in style! I really enjoyed watching Building Off The Grid on HGTV...some very creative individuals on there with plenty of intestinal fortitude!

This was our set up since 2007:





Our Topaz was a true 4 season RV that came with heated floors and tanks. It was ok to about -15C though it's rated to -25C...not sure I'd be in there too long at those temps! It sold in 3 days back in September. It was definitely good timing as these models are in high demand especially for pipeline workers currently working on Trans Mountain pipeline in BC....shoulda upped my asking price!!

[TimT]

Wow, your place sits on a much more extreme piece of land than mine than my place in Vermont.. We are backed up to a hill and there is about 20' dif in elevation between the living floor and our dock in the lake..







One really cool thing about having a deck project out from the house like an Aerie... is...

You get to see some cool visitors..




With dinner

[LWJ]

Gorgeous! Congratulations on a spectacular place.

[thingmon]

Beautiful.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Wow... "Nicely Done" and I love your model!

Thanks Peter..from downundah!

It took me about 6 weeks to build the model. The model does come apart so that you can actually see the view from every room. I did build a larger one of our current home about 25 years ago so I did have some experience going in!

[Zeke]

Models are great. They beat 3D. I had a friend who became a custom spec home builder. The first house he built was pretty big and complicated. He built the framing model to scale and that's all, no finish, not even a roof. When the framing was in progress a lot of issues were dodged. And the various contractors could go to the model in the construction trailer and discuss HVAC runs as well as plumbing and elec. Everything that you don't see when the place gets buttoned up were seen in miniature scale beforehand.

Then they threw it away. Well, what are ya gonna do?