The Ávore is Timberbuilt's newest featured design. Samantha Fentzke & Andrew Petrinec, RA,LEED AP, CSI did most of the design work for this project, and recently we took a moment to ask them about the design process and what they like the most about the Ávore.
Andy,
"I think it’s important to point out that this design — like all of our work — is a collaborative effort. We don’t design in a vacuum, alone at our desks. There’s a constant exchange of ideas among the team before we ever put pencil to paper. While Samantha and I took the lead on this, the final product reflects input from everyone on the design team.
There’s especially a lot of influence from George [Timberbuilt's owner]. What’s important to George might not always be what’s important to me — and vice versa — but that dialogue, that back-and-forth, is what leads to strong, well-rounded designs. Between George, Samantha, myself and the rest of the design team, we’re spanning three different generations of perspectives, which I think brings a richness and depth to the end result.
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One of my favorite aspects of the design is the fenestration. It’s a bit of a departure from our usual approach — we used tall, slender banks of windows that are mulled together into large openings where it matters most. It creates a dramatic effect that feels both modern and intentional.
These windows are paired with deep overhangs to help control solar heat gain, which allows the house to stay comfortable while still capturing incredible views — regardless of how it’s sited.
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The biggest design challenge was balancing the livable space with the more utilitarian needs — storage, mechanicals, and circulation. In a home this intentionally compact, every square foot counts. You can’t just stretch or shrink a volume without risking the proportions and overall character of the design.
For that reason, the most logical way to expand the house is downward. We planned for a future stair to a finished basement, which opens up the possibility of turning this 2-bedroom home into a 5-bedroom home — a great option for someone who might need more space over time.
That said, I don’t see this as a family-oriented home. The living spaces are intentionally modest, and it’s best suited for a couple, or as a short-term rental in a mountain or resort setting. It's small, efficient, and purpose-driven — which is what makes it unique."
Samantha,
"I love how we incorporated 2 bedrooms into the first floor, and brought in lots of natural light too.
The most challenging part of the design was squeezing everything into the entryway. When you talk through the front door we felt it was important to maintain the sight line through the office window, so we spent a lot of time tweaking the design to make sure that would work.
Maintaining the timber cadence in the entry, hallway & office area was also challenging, as was designing the bathroom so that it could be accessible from both the office and the hallway."