If a man’s home truly is his castle, why not actually build one? That’s what Kim and Patricia Baker decided when they undertook their monumental building project on 75 acres in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Known as The New American Castle, the 11,000 sq. ft., four-story show home has received plenty of attention with media coverage ranging from Time Magazine to the History Channel’s Modern Marvels.
The project blends the old world charm of Scottish and English castles with 21st century technology and is loaded with amenities such as a three-story elevator, turret meditation room and a third-century-replica labyrinth.
More than 1,200 feet of Flex-C Plate™ from Flex-Ability Concepts, was used to create sweeping stairways, dramatic arches and distinctive radius highlights throughout the structure.
The Flex-C Plate system provides an easy way for builders to frame high quality curves by utilizing a simple, flexible metal track or plate for use with wood or metal studs. The project also utilized 200 feet of Flex-C Angle for deep curved soffits. Flex-C Angle uses the same labor-saving design as Flex-C Plate but is ideal for applications where the second leg of the track would interfere with perpendicular framing components.
Kim Baker functioned as general contractor on the project. “Everyone loved working with the Flex-C products,” said Baker. “They made framing the curves so much easier than doing it the old way.”
The Bakers were assisted in the design of the project by Henry Miller, AIA, and Heather Renihan of Miller & Renihan L.L.P., Worcester, MA.
Flex-C Plate is made of 20 gauge galvanized sheet metal and is available in 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 widths. Flex-C Trac®, used primarily for commercial construction, is made of galvanized steel and is available in 16 and 20 gauges in a wide variety of widths. Flex Lite, a new light duty alternative, is also available in 25 gauge G-40 sheet metal. Flex-C Plate and Flex-C Angle are both available in 20 gauge.
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