2011--Structural Rearrangement

Objectives: 

Remove all walls, including load-bearing, in living/dining/kitchen/foyer area of house to open up space, eliminate ceiling to create taller, vaulted space.  Conventionally framed structure:  Rafters, ridge board, ceiling rafters act as tension/compression chords.

Solution:  Create lateral thrust trusses at wall/roof joint, using a single laterally braced "tie-rod" which is a finished element and acts as a tension/compression member for entire overhead system.