Spotlight: Kevin Simoes and Streamline Design Ltd.
Kevin and Streamline Design Ltd. were recently featured by Timber Frame Headquarters. Read the original article here.
Kevin Simoes, Principal of Streamline Design Ltd., is a Registered Building Designer with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC, as well as a LEED Accredited Professional. Located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Streamline Design specializes exclusively in the custom planning and design of timber frame, hybrid and log homes.
Since 2004, they have been completing projects throughout Canada, the United States and internationally. Streamline Design Ltd. is a well-established firm, whose vast, proven experience and in-depth understanding of structural design, aesthetics and construction enables them to provide the highest quality designs and plans – delivered on time and within budget. As Kevin says, “We believe each of our clients deserves our personal and professional attention to ensure their design goals and personal desires are met. With the unique properties of wood and necessity for a thorough understanding of the craftsmanship involved, we have carved out a great niche for ourselves. We provide services exclusively to the log and timber industry and individual clientele. We have completed projects all over Canada, the United States and internationally, with recently completed projects in Denmark, Switzerland, Greece, Bosnia, Russia, France, Austria, Ukraine, UK and the Bahamas.”
Kevin has been designing heavy timber style homes for the past 17 years. He started when he was 19 as a junior technician for a log home company, as part of their in-house design team. He learned his skills from the professionals in the yard and the other contractors and supplier he worked with. Twelve years ago he established the Architectural design firm Streamline Design Ltd. Streamline specializes in the design and engineering of luxurious, heavy timber style homes. Kevin tells us, “Over the years we have been fortunate to build a solid reputation and accumulated an impressive list of awards. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best builders and timber framers in the business and continue to learn from them as we push the boundaries of timber frame design.”
Streamline Design prides themselves in their level of customer service, attention to detail and design abilities. Kevin says, “We never take on too much, ensuring we have the time and resources necessary to provide our clients with an exquisite design with unique custom detailing. In order to be leaders in the industry we spend a large amount of time on continuing education and R&D – in-house operations but more importantly on construction processes and the latest building materials.” Kevin uses this knowledge base and his value engineering capabilities to make informed decisions and offer unique solutions to save clients’ money.
Kevin is proud of two accomplishments: being awarded the ‘Young Entrepreneur award’ in 2008 by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, and receiving a ‘Professional Achievement Award’ from the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC. Two of the projects he derived great satisfaction from are the Corsan Ranch and Davis Bay.
One of the most challenging projects Kevin has worked on was the Bella Vista post and beam. According to Kevin, “This project was challenging due to the complex curves (dormers, stairs), steep slope, extreme temperature fluctuation of a ski resort setting and the glazing detailing of the glass forest prows, combined with their outward angle of 10 degrees.”
Kevin says that it can be difficult to find professional engineers that are familiar with the timber frame craft and recognize the strength and structural integrity of wood and the forces traditional joinery can handle. He told us , “To solve this we have incorporated an in house engineer into our firm (licensed in BC, Alberta & Sask.). For our projects in the US and abroad we have harnessed a network of other professional engineers with vast timber frame knowledge. We co-ordinate and review all the engineer requirements to ensure it meets the design intent and project goals.”