Visible Craftsmanship
Jun 9th, 2008 by rlsorbe
Have you ever thought of your house as being a piece of art? I have found that Timber Frame structures exhibit craftsmanship beyond your average stick frame or log cabin. From the timber source, structure and style of the building - Timber Frame structures are built to last and affords a broad range of flexibility in design and sustainability. Timber Framing allows a very detailed and scientific assemblage of its parts, creating durability through the design processes. From the type of timber, the size and shape of the wedge and unique joints, and formatted pattern of frames - you can find incredible artistic variety in the designs throughout the building process.
Timber structures are articulately planned, as each joint must join with it’s partner timber components. For example, check out this rounded sealing, joint collaborations, framed structure, and completed building images from a ranch in Northern Colorado by Timmerhus. The design and building processes create a durable structure that exhibits rustic appeal and charm and clean edge.
In addition to craftsmanship, Timber Frame structures exhibit elements of green building. From the lifespan of the building (in most cases, their lifespan outlives the time it takes to reproduce the timbers), to the transportation, manufacturing, and construction processes. Furthermore, the timbers provide a thermal mass that can absorb the heat during the day and release it at night, and this action is optimized by the insulation provided by insulated panels. Throughout history, these structures have been used for barns, churches, steeples, houses, bridges and more. Below are some example of Steeple structures that have stood the test of time:
In Middlebury, Vermont, the Congregational Church is an outstanding example of Federal Architecture design using sophisticated timber frame practice:
On February 29, 1852 this church from Syracuse, NY was destroyed by a hurricane which demolished the entire building. Today this church is being restored with Timber Frame, as it was originally constructed:
The original structure of Boulder’s own First Presbyterian Church is a Timber Fame construction:
To read more about other historical examples, visit the Timber Framers Guild - Historic Timber Frame Steeples.
Outside of our national market, South America is known for their timber bridges that predate the 19th Century, and are still being built today. Here they use five basic types: the longitudinal beam, frame, truss, arch and suspension superstructures. Research shows that new bridge designs are being developed using tropical and reforested wood species. This pdf, Timber Bridges in South America, explores these bridge types through pictoral explanations. The most intriguing structure I uncovered is the sawn lumber beam, as it is a longitudinal multi-lattice boarded nailed system.
This bridge (above) is 28 meters long, consists of two longitudinal nailed I beams with diagonally crossed web of Macaranduba specie (built in 1990). The visual work within this bridge is an aesthetic arrangement of timbers that encompasses elements of simplistic complexity.
Timber Frame is a building technique that has been around for centuries, and is still thriving today. Barns, churches, studios, and houses are of the most common. If your interested in learning more about the timber framing culture, check out the Timber Framers Guild, or the Timber Frame Resource Guide. Regarding local Timber Frame inquiries and questions, get in touch with Colorado Timber Frame Company, a Boulder-based company that successfully integrates the design, manufacture, and construction processes of Timber Frame.