Timber Framing, What? Why?
The craft of building with wood is very ancient! There are numerous old structures still standing for more than 800 years both in Asia and Northern Europe. Those are examples of mastery, high levels of knowledge and experience in all steps of the craft, from the harvesting of the trees to the finishing details. These structures have stood the test of time without resorting to screws, nails or any other type of metal fastener.
Timber Framing has been used to build from simple farm houses to very complex temples and cathedrals. In common they have the principles of being built with few but heavy and big sized timbers that are interlocked by being fitted together in a puzzle like fashion, using proven and tested joinery techniques. This creates very unique, stout and aesthetically pleasing structures.
This versatile method allows for varied designs, big open spans, multiple wall infill techniques, particularly natural building methods like wattle and daub, strawbales, hempcrete, clay bricks or light- straw-clay.
It is in fact, an essential technology for sustainable building in the future, specially considering its use in combination with the non load bearing natural building techniques just mentioned, since a timber frame structure is unequaled in its resistance and durability
By properly selecting and harvesting a few timbers that will become the home for many generations after being turned from a log to a crafted building, we can in fact contribute to a regenerative forestry practice in contrast with the fast track consumption of low quality and ephemeral wood products.
Full Scale Real Building/Step by Step Learning
Through the course of 10 days, together as a team, we will measure, cut, assemble and raise the frame from a preliminary design. Maybe you heard stories on how it used to be "in the old days", well this is it!
In the beginning we will have our plans, sharp tools and pile of timbers. By the the end a beautiful 6m x 8m Timber Frame.
You'll be guided through demonstration, step by step instructions and real time assistance with emphasis on how to use power and hand tools in a safe and efficient manner. Specifically, framing chisel, mallet, hand plane, hand saws, skill saws, auger bit drilling, chain mortiser and more.
This is a fully hands on workshop!!! You'll take back home a skill set that can jump start your magical journey in the world of crafts and give you the extra confidence to develop personal building projects. A number of people that have joined past workshops have set out to start or continue their journey as craftspeople with a refreshed and more complete approach, including building their own timber frames.
preliminary design
Journey Overview
Dates : 17 to 27th of April
Note: Plan to arrive at the workshop site on the 17th latest around 19:00 when our program starts. Raising day and celebration is on the 27th so plan to leave on the morning of the 28th.
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Location: Motherwood Carpentery Services, Palmela, Portugal
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Accommodation: Participants will be lodged at wonderful Quinta do Vento. A big countryside House with great facilities, open views and quiet location. Find out more here!
Meals : We offer one delicious meal each day at lunch time. (vegetarian and non vegetarian options available). A fully equipped kitchen is available at the accommodation to prepare all the other meals if needed. There are plenty of restaurants, dinners, cafes, in the area with affordable prices and good food as an alternative.
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Main language: is English, with Portuguese and Spanish translation if needed.
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Fees*:
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Single register - 1090 €
Register together with a friend/partner/relative - 990€ each
*Workshop fee includes (10 days of workshop, one full meal at lunch time, 11 nights of accommodation, insurance, workshop handouts).
This workshop is limited to 15 participants
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If you really want to take part and can't afford the workshop, get in touch. We might have a couple of spots open with special fees & conditions
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Important Note: A specific set of personal timber framing tools will be required for this workshop, detailed information will be given to you upon registration.
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Features & Program:
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: Arrival Day/Evening :
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Settling in & Introductions
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: Day 1:
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​Fundamentals of trigonometry and geometry that are essential to understand and develop, sound, functional and beautiful structures.
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The basic principles of timber frame design (names of the components of a frame and fundamental design rules);
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Work site set-up/cribbing
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Selecting & surveying timbers for joinery placement and position in the frame;
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Study of our preliminary design/plan
: Day 2 to 5 :
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Joinery lay out using "Japanese ink-line”/center rule method (useful both for square and round timbers)
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Preparation of timbers for joinery, spot squaring using framing squares and hand plane.
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Accurate laying out and cutting of all the joints necessary to assemble the Timber Frame, using a framing square, sharp knife and pencils. Mostly, it will be mortise and tenon joinery with some variations and options for the connection of specific members (ex: dovetail and scarf joints).
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How to properly and safely use power and hand tools, with an emphasis on learning how to use a sharp framing chisel and mallet.
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: Day 6 :
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Day Off/Free Day/Enjoy the surroundings of Arrábida hills or beaches. Or keep on timber framing if you prefer ; )
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: Day 7 to 9 :
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Joinery pre-fitting & fine tuning
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: Day 10 :
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Group Raising : safety & raising techniques / logistics
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Raising Celebration (please plan to leave on the 28th of April so you don´t miss the party!)
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A variety of concepts, practical, theoretical & empirical knowledge that will shared and distilled to you through the workshop, by the whole group experience and interaction with the facilitators.
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This Timber Framing workshop is designed to be accessible, interesting & challenging for all levels of woodworkers, even the ones with no experience whatsoever.
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Working in groups we will build up individual and collective confidence. The result will be that the participants will go home empowered to engage on a timber frame project of their own. A number of students over the years have left from our workshops to start, or continue with an upgraded level, their professional paths within the woodworking crafts, including timber frame projects of their own.
Most importantly we aim to share a systematic and comprehensive method that has proven to work for a thousand years.
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When all the pieces come together, the joints fit and the frame is up and standing due to the combined efforts of the raising crew, there´s an indescribable feeling of reward, achievement and joy!
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Typical Daily Schedule:
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8.30 - 12:30 - Morning Session
12.30 - 14:00 - Lunch
14:00 - 18:00 - Afternoon Session
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(the last day - raising day - is typically a longer day and it will be probably going until sunset )
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Additional Features & Highlights:
This years workshop is a collaboration with Motherwood Projects. Miguel Teixeira and his team are passionate woodworkers that hold much knowledge and experience. We will be using their facilities and workshop space to create our timber frame. Miguel also selected the logs and supervised the milling of the high quality timbers for our project.
For the duration of the workshop all the tools can be kept safe at their facilities. Lunch will be served there also.
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We are sure the their professional workspace will not only allow for high quality learning but also inspirational knowledge exchange.
Check it out here
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Notes:
It is highly recommended to read at least one of the following books on the subject before engaging the workshop:
A Timber Framer´s Workshop by Steve Chappell – Fox Maple
Building the Timber Framing House by Tedd Benson with James Gruber
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Timber Frame Construction by Jack Sobon
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The Instructor
Ruka F. - Timber Framer & Natural Builder
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For the past 16 years, Ruka has been passionately cultivating many skills and taking part in a diversity of building & restoration projects around several locations on the planet. Working mostly with timber, earth/clay, lime, straw.
This has allowed him to develop a very personal approach to the natural building crafts. Since every building project presents unique challenges, Ruka draws from the vernacular knowledge the base framework for his work and by integrating different techniques and methods he aims to make beautiful buildings that are healthy, functional and long lasting
Timber Framing has come into Ruka´s path as a natural extension of his skills opening up extraordinary possibilities of design flexibility & craftsmanship. He feels very honoured to have learned first hand from extraordinary masters and he´s fully dedicated to share his knowledge and passion.
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Among the people with whom he as worked and learned Timber Framing from, Steve Chappell and the Fox Maple crew have been an incredible inspiration, source of knowledge and experience, that one can only look up too.
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Ruka has facilitated several workshops for a variety of groups, from young children to adults from various cultural backgrounds and nationalities. For him its an intense and rewarding process since he feels that he learns at least as much as any participant and feels compelled to share and receive.
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Away from the tools and job sites, he spends most of his time just above and under water, enjoying Nature or being mesmerised by music.