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Why Timber Frame Construction?

Hand crafted and intricately joined and pegged timber frames represent a level of quality and artistic beauty in buildings that has become nearly extinct in this era of “cheaper, faster and bigger.”  Timber frames offer soaring open space aesthetics, while displaying the soul-stirring beauty and strength of exposed natural timber. 

The natural beauty of wood cannot be matched by any man-made color scheme or design; its use brings the beauty of nature into the interior environment. Timber framing allows the support of the building to be a piece of art and beauty in and of itself rather than just a “structural component” that is hidden behind drywall, filler compound, toxic paint and trim.  The ability to actually view the normally hidden structural design facilitates awareness of, and testimony to, the skill and ingenuity of the designer and builder, making one feel like part of the building. 

We plan to use recycled timber, reclaimed from prairie grain elevator demolition sites, in our buildings.  This old timber is dry, very hard and stable, and beautiful.  Of necessity, we will have to re-mill the timber (learning opportunities for this activity are also available – click here). 

What an interesting and inspiring juxtaposition that the bones of the old prairie landmark grain elevators torn down to make way for new, bigger consolidated concrete grain terminals, owned by multinational companies, will be resurrected in the body of an organic food store that stands against what these chemical-agriculture based companies represent! 

To make this project even more special, the Lord has granted us the willing help of two top-level traditional timber framers from Japan.  Within the world of timber framing, Japanese workmanship is considered the highest calibre in the world.  The timbers are joined with breath-taking precision for a strong, enduring structure, leaving a testament of skill and beauty that can literally last over a thousand years, even in earthquake-prone Japan.

For experienced timber framers who would like an opportunity to work alongside two master carpenters from Japan, we are offering several workshops next summer.  (Translation will be provided to maximize attendee benefit.) For more details, click here.