Silver Park Timber Frame Shelters, Missoula, Montana – Under Construction

The Missoulian, Missoula Montana’s local newspaper, recently reported on the progress being made at Silver Park along the Clark Fork River which runs through downtown Missoula. Read the full article here.

Missoula engineer Jennifer Anthony recognized the need for relief from the sun and elements in the park and suggested it feature timber frame shelters to set a positive example in green building and showcase the history of the local mills. The Timber Framers Guild stepped in by co-sponsoring a competition to design three bench shelters for the project.

Bonin Architects & Associates’ principal architect, Jeremy Bonin, submitted one of the winning designs. His shelter was the feature of the week-long Timber Framers Guild workshop for participants wanting to improve their skills in compound timber frame joinery. Workshop space was limited to 20 attendees, and the Guild was thrilled to have additional 29 excited timber framers on the waiting list.

One of the judge’s commented on Jeremy’s design, saying, “I love the expression of this joyous and seemingly free-form design that gets great visual 'liftoff'."

Jeremy’s shelter, which was sponsored by the Missoula Rotary Club, was erected last week on site amid a flurry of activities involving five instructors and over 30 volunteers. The other two winning designs were constructed off site and will be brought to the site for placement.

The 14 ½ acre Silver Park Project is slated to be finished in 2009. Thanks to Jennifer Anthony for all of the photos! See more on our website!

Jackie Lampiasi, Marketing Director
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

See an excellent 11 minute retelling of the Silver Park story, see the making of the timber shelters, and the Timber Framers Guild voluteers by photojournalist Krista Miller Larson.