Michael Leistiko Builder Phone:509-525-2550
Michael has earned the reputation as an artisan builder of handcrafted structures. The buildings he constructs endure the test of time. By using natural building materials he also reveals a strong commitment to keep improving his artistic skills. Timber and stone are the central structure of this home in the Blue Mountains.
Michael Leistiko/Builder, completed 2009
This project was completely custom. The exterior walls are twenty two inchs thick. It divides in three sections. Six inches of stone on the interior wall, ten inches of ICF Rastra steel reinforced concrete, and six inches of stone on the exterior walls. The floors are stone, the stairs are stone. The interior walls are finished with earth clay plaster. Douglas fir timber framed trusses carry the roof loads to the exterior walls. The fireplace is structural to support part of this roof load. Stone arches that are structural span several openings near the homes entry. These arches had to be built early in the schedule to support the loads from the walls, floors, and roof structure. I designed the arch layout including each of the individual stone pieces. Together totaling nearly seven thousand pounds. This weight had to be temporarily supported while it was installed. The stone draws you in visually. It has a very powerfull effect upon those entering the home. The stone materials included sandstone from Idaho, reused, reclaimed limestone from Kansas. The major amount of stone used, was quarried in central Montana. It is a sandstone that is very dense but workable with stone mason's tools. Hammers and chisels are used to take off a ledge or shape a bump that is in the way. Over two hundred tons of stone were used to complete the project. An exterior deck of stone with stone retaining walls and planters along with a stone grotto and waterfall make a landscape that will last for generations. Fir trees were harvested to make room for the home. Some of those were sawed, planed and dried to use in building the dormer timber frame portions of the roof. There are four dormers located on the main roof structure. By viewing the photos that follow it may be possible to share some portion of that powerful experience mentioned above. I invite you to view the photos below and let me know your impression of them. You can contact me by simply replying in the form below. If you are interested in what you see we look forward to the opportunity to share our passion, building outstanding homes and additions.
