Rich Timek Meets with Architecture & Engineering Club

Former MBS architecture teacher Rich Timek returned to campus on Thursday, January 23^rd to meet with members of the Art & Architecture Club and share photos and stories about building his lakefront retirement home.

Mr. Timek, who retired in 2019 after teaching at MBS for many years, spoke about the process of building the house – from the design phase through the final inspections. Timek, a self-described “team of one,” did all of the design work himself as well as the construction of the 3-bedroom house.  He said that one of the most challenging parts of the process was deciding where to build.

“We quickly found out that there was not much out there to buy. Some of the properties were flooded and some were just plain ugly,” said Timek, who ultimately chose a lakefront lot in a secluded area of Sullivan County, New York.  

Mr. Timek described each phase of the construction — excavating the foundation, pouring the footings, framing the house, plumbing, wiring, insulation, and getting the final inspections.  

“I also built a shed and boat docks on the property, so yes, I’ve been kind of busy,” he laughed.

After two years of construction, the house is finally finished – and Mr. Timek and his family are enjoying the fruits of his labor.

“There’s excellent fishing up there and there are very few homes on the lake, so it’s kind of nice,” he said. “We’ve had as many as 15 people stay there overnight.”