Let’s talk for a minute about wood as a building material, one of original materials used to build shelter
Before the Bronze and Iron Ages, humans either found existing shelters (caves) or they dug pits and covered them with whatever materials they could find.
In this image of Iron Age tools, we see axes, froes and maybe even a chisel? (top center) Humans have been fashioning wood for shelter since pre-history!
Archaeologists have found evidence of timber construction in India dating to around 200BC, using Teak joined together with Bamboo pegs So we’ve been constructing buildings from wood for a long time, longer than we’ve been building with stone.
Here’s a Greek temple: fluted columns = trees/bark, architrave = beam / header over opening, triglyphs = joist ends?
Wood was scarce in the Mediterranean and when the wood structures needed replaced (fire, war, age) they were replaced by stone, which is what has survived for archaeologists to study
On Greek vases from that era the building components are depicted as being much more slender and elegant, which some archaeologists believe is evidence of these temples being wooden structures at one point
We see this pattern in Northern Europe later on:
When the virgin forests were depleted, builders started using smaller timbers and more masonry construction During that same time timber construction was continuing to be developed in Asia, really gaining steam in Japan
As opposed to the masonry that was taking over in Europe, the flexibility of timber construction proved essential in Japan where earthquakes and tsunamis were common. The wooden buildings moved with nature’s forces making them more durable and appropriate to this region.
A strong timber building tradition developed and was passed along by craftsmen to their apprentices:
This is an image of the Golden Hall (679AD) and the Pagoda (693AD) at the Horyu-Ji Temple Complex outside of Nara, Japan These are the oldest surviving wooden structures in the world!
This frickin’ 5-story Pagoda has stood in a region heavily prone to earthquakes for over 13 centuries!!
Love the detail carved into the timbers, shows that the craftsman had mastered purely resolving the structure and moved into adornment of their buildings
China also experiences a lot of earthquakes
They developed the DUOGONG which is the iconic bracket system designed to support heavy roof systems Large overhangs + dense timber rafters + clay tiles = heavy!
Also the small, interlocking pieces, when under the weight of the roof, won’t come apart in a seismic event and the small pieces are less susceptible to breaking under stress
Another cool fact about most traditional asian architecture is the building’s columns sit on top of massive stone plinths, they are not very well connected to the earth, which allows them to wiggle more in an earthquake.
The timber joinery keeps the ‘box’ rigid and prevents it from collapsing while allowing the whole building to shift
So we’ve seen some of the large civic structures built from timber in Asia, let’s hop back over to Europe, first to Scandinavia There are large evergreen forests in Scandinavia, which means lots of wood for building stuff.
The Norsemen, and later the Vikings used their ample forest resources to build everything, their homes, barns, their boats, and here we see their churches
These are known as Stave Churches
Once between 700-1000 in existence, today about 25 remain standing and are anther example of some of the world’s oldest wooden buildings
Strong wooden building tradition = master craftsmen = again we see the development of ornamentation incorporated into the timber structure Evergreen forests can replenish themselves after being harvested relatively quickly
Moving south, there was also a strong wooden building tradition
In lower parts of Europe they have hardwood forests that were harvested to build the GREAT CATHEDRALS and PALACES, also SHIPS
Timber framed roof systems offered the ability to create large, open, awe-inspiring spaces
Notre Dame has been in the news lately, for the tragic fire that destroyed the roof system and spire
1,300 trees were used, roof system is known as THE FOREST for how large and how densley it was framed
Fortunate to visit Notre Dame in 2016, the stained glass was cool, but the timber framing had me super geeked, magnificent craftsmanship
Rebuilding is contentious, but the timber work was truly one of the world’s great artifacts and in my mind should be rebuilt paying homage to the original craftsman
Over the centuries as the forests were being depleted (hardwoods don’t grow as quickly as softwoods), people had to start using smaller timbers, which is reflected in the architectural vernacular.
This picture shows a CRUCK FRAME, found mostly in England, used for country homes and barns Here’s another house showing the use of smaller timbers
And we start to see some PLASTER for you lime nerds out there…
Wattle-and-Daub infill = sticks woven through essentially a stud infill wall and plastered w/ mud and lime.
Another example of smaller timbers w/ plaster infill
In parts of Europe the temperature variance is not as great, so these buildings last longer and didn’t have as many complaints about comfort Tudor Era = See again the theme of craftsmen moving from pure structural concerns to ornamentation
Still a strong apprenticeship system throughout Europe Zimmermans in Germany
Compagnions in France Carpenter’s Fellowship in England
We just saw this house from the Tudor period
about that same time North America was settled by European colonists
Brought with them their Old World building traditions, including TIMBER FRAMING Virgin Forests = larger timbers = bigger buildings
This is the Fairbanks House in New England, built in 1637 Oldest Wood-Frame building in North America
As the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ramped up, SAWMILLS became improved more plentiful= standardized lumber. Access to this material as well as MASS PRODUCTION of METAL FASTENERS led to the rise of STUD / BALLOON FRAMING
EXPANSION to the AMERICAN WEST required settlements to be built quickly and with a less-skilled workforce The population of Cripple Creek, CO grew from 15k to over 50k in 8 years.
That brings us to our modern history of timber framing…
About 15 years before this guy was routing away in his bike shorts, a few carpenters in the North East began a movement to bring timber framing back as a valid method of construction
The TFG was founded in 1985 to tout the merits of timber frame construction and to educate a new generation of carpenters. That’s why I’m presenting here today, as a part of that movement to educate others about Timber Framing The TFG was founded in 1985 to tout the merits of timber frame construction and to educate a new generation of carpenters.
The Guild does some really cool things: first-and-foremost it is a platform for all those interested to share experiences, much like the NBA. I will talk a little more about the Guild at the end.
There are now hundreds of companies across the US and thousands worldwide dedicated to this type of construction. That’s why I’m presenting here today, as a part of that movement to educate others about Timber Framing
