Not just for homes, timber frames make for extra-special commercial buildings—even in places you may not expect!
The eye-catching power of a well-built timber frame is undeniable. Solid, secure, and inviting, these havens of strength and beauty welcome you with their massive, stately timbers. They simply draw you in with a magnetic allure. It’s natural to first think of timber frames in the context of homes, and certainly, the timber frame construction system elevates any home’s atmosphere. You’ve also likely noticed timber-framed commercial buildings such as restaurants, breweries, and wineries, where the timbers set the stage for a warm, welcoming ambiance. That being said, these stunning structures are an excellent choice for all kinds of businesses from real estate offices and clubhouses to dispensaries and rest stops. To prove it, here are some unexpected places you’ll find timber frame commercial buildings.
Grocery Store
Pop in GreenStar Food Co-op in Ithaca, New York, and you’ll find an elevated grocery shopping experience. This distinct, timber-framed grocery store transforms an errand into a destination. Warm timbers frame the main entry, welcoming shoppers inside. The side entry is accentuated with a contemporary profile seen with the wood posts and corrugated steel roof. Outside, a timber frame pergola gives workers and shoppers a pleasant environment to relax and enjoy a break.
Travel Plaza
The Warners Travel Plaza in New York, a timber-framed travel center, is a welcoming sight for road-weary eyes. Cathedral-style ceilings with a post-and-beam truss soar overhead creating a space that feels light, airy, and comforting. An attractive timber pergola over the courtyard gives travelers a spot to enjoy fresh air, decompress, and take the edge off after a long day of all the stresses that can accompany travel.
Dispensary
In Brimfield, Massachusetts, shoppers are treated to a warm welcome at the Pioneer Cannabis Company dispensary, which is housed in an impressive 2,108-square-foot, modern-rustic timber frame commercial structure made of Southern Yellow Pine.
Welcome Center
Welcome centers make the first impression of a place, so it’s important they set the right tone. When that building is a timber frame, you know visitors are getting an extra-special experience. This is the case for those entering Pennsylvania off Route 15. The Tioga County Welcome Center combines stamped concrete floors in a stone pattern, Adirondack chairs, and a gift shop—all framed by warm timbers and a simple yet classic truss system overhead. Details like the artisan touch on the king post enhance the space. Wood accents strategically placed overhead along a cathedral ceiling corridor carry the timber theme. Not a bad spot to stop and sip some complimentary coffee!
Bank
When you think of a bank, you may think of a stately structure made of stone which can feel somewhat sterile or even institutional. Cayuga Lake National Bank in Lansing, New York couldn’t be more opposite. Built as a timber frame, this bank created an environment that welcomes patrons and asserts a feeling of safety and longevity, all while creating a sense of place in its wooded Finger Lakes locale. Overhead, a white pine tongue-and-groove ceiling contrasts the darker stained post and beams gorgeously. Inside, a stone fireplace with a rough wood mantel anchors a place to relax. Even the drive-up kiosk is built as a timber frame.
Real Estate Offices
In Bat Cave, North Carolina, this realty group office space proves their experts know a thing or two about beautiful homes and buildings thanks to a 2,196-square-foot timber frame structure constructed of Eastern White Pine.
Golf Courses
Golf is much more than a game, it’s an experience that gives people a reason to get some fresh air, enjoy some competitive fun with others, and socialize. Timber frame golf pavilions and timber frame golf clubhouses establish the golf course as a destination and a place of distinction with good taste and a comfortable atmosphere. Timber frame pavilions can range from simple, elegant shelters for those out on the course to elaborate structures complete with fireplaces, overhead fans, partial walls, and built-in kitchens. Timber-framed golf clubhouses, much like timber-framed homes, can be imagined and built in just about any style and theme including cottage, lodge, or even a traditional manor that’s brimming with history and hospitality.
More Timber-Framed Commercial Buildings
If you’re looking for a way for your business to stand apart from the competition and make a lasting impression with patrons and visitors for all the right reasons, be sure to peruse the vast array of these timber-framed commercial buildings in our gallery. Reach out to Woodhouse to find out what’s possible for your commercial project needs and ideas.