A Modern Scandinavian Gem by Highline Construction

Alpine Engineering, in collaboration with Highline Construction and architect Allison Crandall, AIA, recently completed a stunning new Scandinavian-style home that blends minimalist aesthetics with innovative structural engineering. This project showcases the beauty of clean lines, functional design, and cutting-edge construction techniques, making it a standout in modern residential architecture.

Architectural Vision

Designed by Allison Crandall, AIA, the home embodies the essence of Scandinavian design: simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to natural light. With its sleek, open floor plan and expansive windows, the house invites the outdoors in, creating a serene and airy atmosphere. The exterior features crisp white walls, warm wood accents, and a sharply pitched gable roof—hallmarks of Scandinavian architecture that balance form and function.

Innovative Structural Design

One of the defining features of this project is its use of **tall balloon-framed walls**, a construction technique where the studs extend continuously from the sill plate to the top plate of the upper floor. This approach creates a seamless, open interior space while maintaining structural integrity. However, the height of these walls introduced a unique challenge: ensuring stability with **slender shearwalls**.
Shearwalls, critical for resisting lateral forces like wind or seismic activity, become more challenging to design as their slenderness ratio (height divided by width) increases. In this case, the tall gable balloon-framed wall required a robust solution to maintain stability without compromising the minimalist aesthetic.

Simpson Strong Panels: The Solution

To meet the challenge of slender shearwalls without sacrificing strength, Highline Construction turned to Simpson Strong panels, a cutting-edge solution crafted in a factory for precision and reliability. These engineered structural composite wood panels, complete with pre-attached steel connections at the base, were installed on the tall gable wall to deliver exceptional lateral resistance. Their streamlined design allowed the team to maintain sleek shearwalls, preserving the open, airy feel of the interior and the clean, modern lines of the exterior—blending strength with style effortlessly.

Compliance with NDS and SDPWS

The design of the shearwalls adheres to the **National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction** and the **NDS Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS)**. Specifically, the slenderness of the framed onsite shearwalls, defined by their height-to-width aspect ratio, was carefully considered to meet the requirements outlined in **SDPWS Section 4.3.4**. This section allows wood conventionally framed shearwalls to have a minimum aspect ratio of **3.5:1** (Height to width of the shearwall), without strength reductions, ensuring adequate resistance to lateral forces while maintaining the slender profile integral to the home’s aesthetic. The use of Simpson Strong panels allows the shearwalls to exceed the 3.5:1 aspect ratio code requirement for conventional framing. Allowing Highline Construction to achieve both structural stability and design elegance within these code-defined limits.

Craftsmanship and Sustainability

Highline Construction’s commitment to quality, guided by Allison Crandall’s architectural vision, shines through in every detail of this home. The balloon framing was meticulously executed to ensure precision, while the use of sustainable materials aligned with the Scandinavian ethos of environmental consciousness. Energy-efficient windows, high-performance insulation, and responsibly sourced wood further enhance the home’s eco-friendly footprint.

A Testament to Innovation

This Scandinavian-style house is more than just a beautiful home—it’s a testament to Highline Construction’s ability to blend cutting-edge engineering with Allison Crandall’s timeless design. The use of tall balloon-framed walls, slender shearwalls, Simpson Strong panels, and compliance with NDS and SDPWS standards showcases their expertise in tackling complex structural challenges while delivering a visually stunning result.

For homeowners seeking a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and innovative construction, this project sets a new standard. Highline Construction, with Allison Crandall, AIA, at the helm of the design, continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating homes that are as resilient as they are beautiful.