Vermont Woodsmith

An innovation of artist Nicholas Chappell, Vermont Woodsmith blends art, mathematics, and carpentry to offer a unique array of products and services.

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Vermont Woodsmith

An innovation of artist Nicholas Chappell, Vermont Woodsmith blends art, mathematics, and carpentry to offer a unique array of products and services.

The Building Process

Footer forms configured to fit the potential roof

Corner form of entry with rebar, ready to pour concrete

We have a monolithic footer.  Appears as a bling ring from above — We have a monolithic footer. Appears as a bling ring from above

Foundation made with dry-stacked interlocked cinder blocks.  Each hollow has rebar and poured concrete, solidifying a base for the structure — Foundation made with dry-stacked interlocked cinder blocks. Each hollow has rebar and poured concrete, solidifying a base for the structure

Rough plumbing, specifically drains for sinks and toilet out to city sewer, then filled.  Note the entry is empty.  This is a future root cellar — Rough plumbing, specifically drains for sinks and toilet out to city sewer, then filled. Note the entry is empty. This is a future root cellar

Two-ply of rigid foam making R20 under the floor and yellow stago or radon barrier

Road base floor substrate atop foam and the first two wall panels!

It's growing!  Panels are 4 x 10 stud/OSB with tar paper exterior.  There are 24 total, plus the entry which has different geometry — It's growing! Panels are 4 x 10 stud/OSB with tar paper exterior. There are 24 total, plus the entry which has different geometry

All panels are up with central support ring in place to receive rafters

First four rafters, only 50 more to go.  They are bare on the central ring, which spreads the weight evenly — First four rafters, only 50 more to go. They are bare on the central ring, which spreads the weight evenly

Roof is roughed in, all  54 rafter are resting in their place forever. Pitch is 7/12.  Note the lack of OSB and tar paper on the wall panels, this pic is taken from the entry — Roof is roughed in, all 54 rafter are resting in their place forever. Pitch is 7/12. Note the lack of OSB and tar paper on the wall panels, this pic is taken from the entry

Kind of Death Star looking right here, over 2,000 piece of tongue + grove white pine make the ceiling and hold the insulation

T + G is primed as a vapor barrier, and all seams are poly caulked to limit heat loss, ready for blown cellulose insulation in foreground

Metal roof is on!  This is a huge step in any building process.  Penetrations made for wood stove and sewer vent — Metal roof is on! This is a huge step in any building process. Penetrations made for wood stove and sewer vent

Window are in and the entry is shaping up.  Logs cleared from the footprint were used to support the front porch.  Strapping is attached as an air gap between the siding and the house — Window are in and the entry is shaping up. Logs cleared from the footprint were used to support the front porch. Strapping is attached as an air gap between the siding and the house

Live-edge hemlock siding milled in Wolcott, VT is on.  Hemlock weathers very well. — Live-edge hemlock siding milled in Wolcott, VT is on. Hemlock weathers very well.

Interior framing starts.  Larson-truss, two-walled system is utilized, creating 10-12 inches of insulation.  That is R36 - R44.  The interior of the whole home is curved all the way around. — Interior framing starts. Larson-truss, two-walled system is utilized, creating 10-12 inches of insulation. That is R36 - R44. The interior of the whole home is curved all the way around.

More framing.  A bedroom is beyond the stairs seen, a bathroom to the right of them, and a loft is above.  The post exiting the pic are again trees from the original footprint — More framing. A bedroom is beyond the stairs seen, a bathroom to the right of them, and a loft is above. The post exiting the pic are again trees from the original footprint

My first curved stair case

Every staircase needs a handrail, my first log handrail.  Had to find a pair of logs with a similar curve to the stair — Every staircase needs a handrail, my first log handrail. Had to find a pair of logs with a similar curve to the stair

Walls with earth plaster (clay-based) and the complete handrail.  The bath is the doorway on the right — Walls with earth plaster (clay-based) and the complete handrail. The bath is the doorway on the right

Plaster (drying) and windows and ceiling.  Although subtle the window openings are flared 15 degrees on the sides and top between the two layers of framing.  This allows more light and more view ability from various angles — Plaster (drying) and windows and ceiling. Although subtle the window openings are flared 15 degrees on the sides and top between the two layers of framing. This allows more light and more view ability from various angles

Tile mosaic I designed and installed.  This is the wall with the shower head and the hot and cold water mixer — Tile mosaic I designed and installed. This is the wall with the shower head and the hot and cold water mixer

Continuation of the mosaic.  The season transition from right to left — Continuation of the mosaic. The season transition from right to left