Nelson Mail

Ancient craft being brought to life

- NINA HINDMARSH

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

 ?? NINA HINDMARSH/NELSON MAIL ?? English carpenters Graeme Scott and Xavier Carolan will run a course on traditiona­l timber framing.
NINA HINDMARSH/NELSON MAIL English carpenters Graeme Scott and Xavier Carolan will run a course on traditiona­l timber framing.

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