nov 23

Nov 23 - 3rd bent is up

So far we've managed to avoid bad weather, andwe're making some progress on getting this frame cut and put together. We're assembling it as we go for various reasons: 1- it's an easy way to organize the pieces (there are well over 100 heavy pieces of wood and over 300 joints). 2- the frame gets to weather over the winter, to be set up on-site in the spring, and 3- having the assembled frame encourages me to keep working and keeps the context intact. My wife just reminded me that this is the 4th timber frame that I've built in our yard this year and I still haven't built myself a barn - hopefully next season. The hallmark people tell me that thanksgiving is this week and I'm thankful to have a good supply of work so far. My son feels that we should boycott the holiday because it celebrates the genocide of the native americans - I try not to think about it. For context, here is a digital model of the completed frame, and a couple of pics from last week with 2 "bents" in place. A bent is a section of frame that can be raised as a unit if one desires it.

Today my brother and I set the third bent (out of 4) and it's started to feel like a building now. After one more bent, which will hopefully go up next weekend, we'll start cutting roof framing. I especially like the way that a traditional timber frame, before it's covered, defines its own space in the world. It might be difficult to understand what that means from the pictures, but it would be obvious if you stood and looked at it in person. As we're cutting the frame, I'm thinking about details of the finished house, the various details, and especially the various mechanical systems. It's exciting for me to design and build homes that produce no carbon, no utility bills, no toxins, and keep their owners safe, happy, and comfortable. This house will be 1100 square and take care of a family of 4 as a weekend and vacation get away.