The I-Joist, Open Concept Floorplans

This I-Joist still life is part of my ongoing series of narrative still lifes built from everyday construction materials. The main subject of my painting is the engineered wooden beam, known as an I-Joist. This innovative construction element, made of woodchips, adhesive, and laminated wood, is a practical and cost-effective solution for modern residential houses. Many of these houses, including ours, have been built using the popular “Open Concept Floor Plan” design. The open floor plan, a trend you often hear about, requires long beams to support the floor as walls are removed to open the space. A traditional floor joist needed to cover such wide spans would have to be very thick and costly, making the I-Joist a game-changer in the industry.

The I-Joist, a product of engineering innovation, has revolutionized modern construction. It’s a prime example of how technology has made it possible to build open-concept floor plans at an affordable cost. While exploring a construction site, I encountered several other items like long nails, bolts, and angled wood. You can see more of this approach in my still life light painting gallery, where everyday objects are lit entirely by hand in complete darkness. While I was unsure how the developer used these items, they were suitable accessories to support the main subject, the I-Joist. If you’re familiar with construction, I’d love to hear your thoughts on these pieces.