I have been fascinated by traditional carpentry since exploring the soaring timbers in roofs of medieval tithe barns around my home in Somerset. At the start of my woodworking journey, I soon learnt that building big was good. This led me into restoring ancient barns and roofs, where I learnt many of the skills I still use today. With the help of the books I have listed, I soon turned to building new oak framed buildings. Over the past 35 years I have had the pleasure of making many fabulous structures and working with some great carpenters and apprentices.
I wrote this book to take the reader on a journey through every stage of building an oak framed structure. There are chapters on design and construction, as well as the structural qualities of oak and the building envelope. It is a practical book on the technique of timber-frame construction for carpenters, builders, and self-builders, fully illustrated with three dimensional drawings and colour photographs. From small projects to large buildings, the versatility and durability of oak as a building material are fully explained. It also delves into the cultural and historical significance of oak in architecture, from its use in ancient buildings to its continued relevance in modern design.
This is the first book that inspired me whilst learning the art of timber framing.
It was my constant companion in the early days because of the wealth of information within this small but perfectly formed paperback. It provides details on joints, construction techniques, and different styles of building.
The book is filled with many beautifully hand-drawn illustrations that bring it alive. A must have!
Half-timbered houses, cottages and barnes are a familiar feature of the landscape, but only rarely do we have an opportunity to see below the surface and understand how they were planned and constructed. Timber-framed buildings catch the imagination of those who work with them because of their beauty, their strength and the quality of the material of which they were made: English oak. Many thousands of buildings of all ages still remain to remind us the strength of the tradition. This book looks behind the commong image of 'black and white' houses, showing how timber buildings were built and how…
This is a must-read classic for anyone interested in how to build a complete timber framed house.
Tedd, a master builder, offers a comprehensive guide to designing and building timber frames, emphasizing the importance of traditional craftsmanship and sustainable building practices.
It focuses not only on the techniques of making the frame but also on the rest of the build, such as the walls and foundations, which I found very useful.
The age-old craft of timber framing is making a comeback, and in this book the author shows how to adapt the sturdy elegance of timber-frame construction to the needs of modern living. The guide takes readers through timber frame strategy, engineering, design and frame and floor plans, in order to help explain the fundamentals of the craft and which options are available. Most importantly it gives tips on how timber-frame houses can be designed to accommodate wiring, plumbing and insulation.
This is a beautiful and informative book that provides readers with practical advice on how to incorporate Japanese design principles into their homes.
It provides advice on how to create calm and minimalist living space to transform any building. It is filled with over 120 amazing photographs to inspire you and even has some projects to make. I just love to browse through it!
Filled with elegant designs and clever tips, A Japanese Touch for Your Home offers bold and exciting ideas for remodeling your home or redecorating your apartment. The author, architect Koji Yagi, explains the basic elements of Japanese interior design and shows you how to use them.
Install tatami mats and shoji doors-cardinal elements of Japanese interior design-and see how beautifully they respond to the Western home. Change the size and shape of a room easily and tastefully with bamboo screens and movable partitions. Build a simple Japanese-style alcove, decorate it with something special, and then flaunt it. Try some Japanese…
As an aspiring carpenter, I found this book to be an invaluable resource.
Steve’s expertise and passion for his craft shine through on every page. It is quite technical and really goes into detailed explanations of the techniques involved. Whatever stage of your carpentry journey this is the book for you if you want to expand your timber framing knowledge.
I particularly enjoyed the sections on timber frame engineering and mathematics. Highly recommended!
This revised edition of A Timber Framer s Workshop has over 150 new photos and includes updated engineering specifications for pegged joinery, along with expanded in-depth technical information on the joinery, design and construction of Traditional Timber Frames.
The major portion of A Timber Framer's Workshop was first written back in 1983. Over a period of a number of years several revisions and additions took place, as it was used as the handout workshop manual for Fox Maple Timber Framing Workshops. At last, it was published for general distribution in 1998.
When this book was first published in 1998, scientific…
This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that captures the essence of traditional woodland craftsmanship.
As a carpenter, I was enthralled by Ben’s descriptions of sustainable woodland management practices and his detailed instructions on how to make everything from baskets to pole barns using only the timber from his wood.
His passion for the craft shines through on every page, and if you are into truly hand-made carpentry then this is the book for you.
Accompany woodsman Ben Law as he celebrates the amazing diversity of craft products made from materials sourced directly from the woods. Including brooms, rakes, pegs, spoons, chairs, baskets, fencing, yurts and even a caravan, the items are hewn from freshly cut green wood, shaped by hand and infused with a simple, rustic beauty. Detailed instructions and advice are given for each craft, along with essential knowledge about tools and devices. With fascinating information on the history, language and traditions of the crafts, coppice management and tree species, this book teaches about all aspects of the low-impact woodland way of life.
My book recommendations reflect an abiding passion for Japanese literature, which has unquestionably influenced my own writing. My latest literary interest involves Japanese poetry—I’ve recently started a project that combines haiku and prose narration to describe my experiences as a part-time resident in a 1300-year-old Japanese hot spring town that Bashō helped make famous in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. But as a writer, my main focus remains novels. In late 2023 the second in a planned series of novels set in Ishikawa prefecture will be published. I currently live in Kanazawa, but have also been lucky to call Sapporo, Akita, Tokyo, and Fukui home at different times.
Emmitt’s plans collapse when his wife, Mirai, suddenly backs out of purchasing their dream home. Disappointed, he’s surprised to discover her subtle pursuit of a life and career in Tokyo.
In his search for a meaningful life in Japan, and after quitting his job, he finds himself helping his mother-in-law translate Kanazawa’s most famous author, Izumi Kyoka, into English. He becomes drawn into the mysterious death of a friend of Mirai’s parents, leading him and his father-in-law to climb the mountain where the man died. There, he learns the somber truth and discovers what the future holds for him and his wife.
Packed with subtle literary allusion and closely observed nuance, Kanazawa reflects the mood of Japanese fiction in a fresh, modern incarnation.
In Kanazawa, the first literary novel in English to be set in this storied Japanese city, Emmitt's future plans collapse when his wife, Mirai, suddenly backs out of negotiations to purchase their dream home. Disappointed, he's surprised to discover Mirai's subtle pursuit of a life and career in Tokyo, a city he dislikes.
Harmony is further disrupted when Emmitt's search for a more meaningful life in Japan leads him to quit an unsatisfying job at a local university. In the fallout, he finds himself helping his mother-in-law translate Kanazawa's most famous author, Izumi Kyoka, into English.
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