Building for Generations: here is a first look at our new home build in Smithfield Rhode Island.
In the final days of March 2024, we broke ground on the Turtle Point Haus in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The property, named for its role as a turtle nesting area, sees turtles coming up from the nearby reservoir each spring to lay their eggs on the soils and sands of the property. The clients, drawn to our commitment to precision, quality, and excellence, entrusted us with building this exceptional waterfront home, designed by Huts NYC.
The house is inspired by the Scandinavian Cape style, blending minimalist design with functional elements to create a modern, contemporary aesthetic. Achieving this vision requires the use of cutting-edge building materials and modern construction techniques. Our goal was to build the home in the most efficient, sustainable, and reliable way possible.
With a long-term vision for durability, we chose engineered lumber over traditional timber. The home's streamlined, minimalistic design demanded a material that could ensure structural integrity without relying on decorative elements like crown molding, paneling, or trim. Engineered lumber delivers superior results, ensuring that every surface remains true and level, even in large, open spaces where imperfections are harder to conceal.
One of the key advantages of engineered lumber is its stability. Unlike traditional lumber, which can warp, twist, or shrink over time, engineered lumber remains straight, consistent, and dimensionally stable. This material is the modern equivalent of “old-growth lumber,” a vital resource that is no longer available in its natural form. By using engineered lumber, we can achieve the same durability and performance as traditional timber, but with a more reliable, sustainable alternative. It also enhances the structural integrity of the home while improving energy efficiency.
While engineered lumber tends to cost 20-30% more than traditional lumber, we believe the benefits far outweigh the additional cost. The precision of engineered lumber results in faster, more efficient construction, with minimal waste. It also simplifies the build process, allowing each trade to work more quickly and without complication, leading to significant time and cost savings over the life of the project.
In addition to the engineered lumber, we’ve incorporated several other advanced features that make this home both energy-efficient and sustainable, including:
Benjamin Obdyke Hydrogap SA House Wrap for water management, along with Obdyke Hydrogap LA Liquid-Applied Flashing and Obdyke Hydroflash UV Tape.
Handmade copper pans for all doors and windows.
Rigid black mesh siding rain screen barrier for added durability.
Prefa Metals hand-rolled, double-lock standing seam siding and roofing.
Zip System R9 Insulated Sheathing for enhanced insulation.
Advantech X-Factor Subfloor and Advantech Structural Shear Plywood for superior strength and moisture resistance.
Triple LVL framing for all headers, ensuring added structural support.
Interior wall framing offset by 2 inches from the large concrete retaining wall, allowing for a full 2-inch application of closed-cell spray foam for continuous insulation and an airtight vapor barrier.
Engineered LSL Lumber used for every stud.
Double jack and king studs for every door and window, regardless of size.
Continuous LVL gable-end wall framing and shear wall for added structural integrity on all gable walls.
Custom fascia trim made from LSL-treated lumber with a 45-degree bevel edge, designed to complement the roofline.
Prefa Metal roof and siding rolled and formed on-site.
Four Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) for superior air circulation.
Slab-on-grade floor with a radiant heating system powered by propane.
Recessed doors and window sills integrated into the slab, with treated LSL lumber sills fully sealed and waterproofed with Zip liquid flashing.
A 24-foot cathedral ceiling in the great room.
An auxiliary power pedestal located away from the house to minimize penetrations, with all power lines routed underground. Only one penetration was made for the propane gas line feeding the radiant heating system.
This home represents the future of sustainable, high-performance building, and we are incredibly proud to showcase its design and construction. Stay tuned for future blog posts that will dive deeper into the features and innovations that make this project truly unique.
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