West Hill Builders

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Location: Ingonish, Nova Scotia
Year Constructed: 2004
Construction: Conventional Stud Framing

Twelve months earlier, in the Summer of 2003, we traveled to do the site work and clearing for this cottage. The site is spectacular, perched on a 200 foot cliff overlooking the ocean. The cabin sits approximately 30 feet and down hill slightly from the cliff. The needs were not extensive – small space, screens for windows, no immediate need for water or electricity as it sat about 1/3 of a mile from the main house on the property. It was designed primarily for a young couple as overflow space from the family summer home.

While the needs were simple, the construction presented several challenges. There was not electricity on site and the only way to the site was through a narrow path through the woods. All materials were either hauled by hand, or on a few trips on a 4 wheeler. The parts were all cut down at the main house and then assembled on site.

Securing a solid foundation was also a challenge as concrete was not an option. With a frost depth of 36 inches, hardpan soil, and no means to mix concrete on site or haul it in, we turned to a innovative product – Redi-Footings. This innovative product uses a molded plastic base and cap that fits onto a section of Schedule 40 PVC pipe. Each footing has a compressive strength of over 10,000 lbs. After consulting with the company, the engineering of the loads on the building fell within the limits of the product with 8 footings supporting the structure.

The building is not insulated but was designed to allow for that if it was ever needed. The owner has painted the structure and done some finish carpentry on it. It is a simple structure but the sleeping loft provides a truly spectacular bedroom view. Siting the cottage was a collaborative process with the owner and took into consideration views, visual impact, and solar gain and potential future PV panels to provide electricity.

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