Ancient craft being brought to life
Two English timber framers want to teach people how to craft their own structures from scratch using traditional building techniques.
Timber framing is a building method that uses heavy squared-off and carefully fitted and joined timbers secured by large wooden pegs, called ‘‘mortise and tenon’’.
Carpenter Graeme Scott has recruited the help of another timber framer from Britain, Xavier Carolan, to teach even the most inexperienced woodworkers the basics of the ancient craft in a four-day course.
Scott lives near Collingwood with his wife and two children and has a background in engineering, log homes and eco-building in Britain and Canada.
He said timber framing was a ‘‘beautiful way’’ to connect with history through the ancient craft, as well as installing a sense of resilience for the future.
‘‘When we can’t stick our houses together with metal plates anymore, there’s this method which is much more dynamic, as strong and even more aesthetically pleasing.’’
Timber framing is commonplace in wooden buildings from the 19th century and even earlier, particularly in Europe but also found in old Asian temples.
It is still used overseas today but in the last several generations has vanished from modern New Zealand buildings.
Carolan studied under a master German carpenter and now specialises in timber framing.
He said the style could be combined with modern building techniques or any other type of structure, including straw bale, adobe, external wooden cladding and even bricks and mortar.
‘‘It’s very flexible, versatile and is sustainable, unlike a lot of plastics and metals used in the building industry these days.’’
Liv Scott said the timber framing course was meant to ’’build excitement and start a conversation’’ around alternative and traditional building techniques, but was also a chance for people to increase their skills.
‘‘Mortise and tenon is what they use in a lot of different furniture, so what they use is quite interchangeable,’’ she said.
‘‘You will learn about the tools you need, how to look after and sharpen them.
‘‘As well as covering the basic techniques of timber framing using wooden pegs and some fundamental joints, you will practise to create a complete frame to be erected on the Sunday afternoon.’’
The course is a fundraiser for Scott’s ‘‘Living Wood Fair’’ to be held in East Takaka in April next year, based on European and American fairs.
The two-day showcase will include a programme of workshops, activities, demonstrations and discussions on ‘‘all things wood’’ and will have a strong local and environmental twist.
Mortise and tenon beginners course, October 5-8, with a shorter two-day option available. Email livscott80@yahoo.co.nz or call 0220876396