By Ryan Moore, Wood-Mizer Contributing Author
The My Wood-Mizer Project Contest, a favorite tradition since 1985, gives Wood-Mizer sawmill owners an opportunity to showcase their dream projects milled and made with lumber from their sawmills. With more than 300 outstanding projects entered, 2021 was our most popular contest ever! This year, Wood-Mizer sawmill owner Andrew Koessler won 1ST PLACE in the SMALL HOMES AND CABINS category for building a picturesque creekside guest cabin. Enjoy Andrew’s story and more award-winning projects that started with a dream and a Wood-Mizer sawmill.
Travel across a small foot bridge from Andrew Koessler’s main cabin in Langley, British Columbia and you’ll find his latest creation – a picturesque creek-side guest cabin featuring a loft with a double bed, a main floor seating area, and a kitchenette with running water. Perched atop a small hill among the scenic forest trees, the bungalow allows Andrew’s guests to have a comfortable place to stay on the property.
To build this impressive project, Andrew was able to utilize his Wood-Mizer LT40 Hydraulic portable sawmill and locally sourced timber. All the timber used for the bungalow build, including western red cedar, Douglas fir, and maple was harvested on Andrew’s property. “I built the entire bungalow myself, aside from some help moving the heavier beams into place,” said Andrew.
Andrew first became interested in sawmilling when a foot bridge on his property needed to be repaired. After some research, the benefits of purchasing a sawmill became clear. “As I started seeing the potential of what was possible, I knew I needed a proper mill, and Wood-Mizer was the way to go,” said Andrew. Andrew started out with a Wood-Mizer LT35 sawmill, and despite minimal sawmilling experience, he reaped the benefits of the purchase immediately. Andrew soon realized with the amount that he was using his mill, it made sense to upgrade to the LT40 Hydraulic.
With a renovation of his main cabin and a tractor shed in the works, Andrew shares that he’ll never run out of projects to pursue with his sawmill. However, he does remember to take the time to enjoy what he has created so far. “I love building creative projects and owning my Wood-Mizer mill has let me and my friends make a little dream world for ourselves,” said Andrew.
SAWMILL: LT40 HYDRAULIC
Highlights:
• 9′ x 10′ base with a center ridge height of 16′
• Douglas fir, western red cedar, and maple
• 85% of project completed with Wood-Mizer sawn lumber
• 2.5 years to complete
• $25,000 saved
Click here to view My Wood-Mizer Project 2021 First Place Winners
See the complete 2021, 2019, and 2017 collection of 600+ amazing homes, cabins, furniture, barns, and more milled and made by Wood-Mizer owners at project.woodmizer.com.
