Wooden Constructions in Pre-modern Society

-  securing and developing knowledge in crafts needed for analysis, interpretation and preservation of historic wooden constructions

This proposal consists of

1)  a programme of 4-6 workshops for craftsmen at wooden building      conservation sites  in each participating country and

2)  a conference focusing on securing and developing knowledge in crafts      related to the interpretation and analysis of the European wooden      building heritage.

The purpose of the programme is to focus on the skills in crafts related to Pre-modern wooden constructions and try to increase the knowledge in this field. The aim of highlighting the questions of traditional wooden craftsmanship to a European level is to

a)  increase the conditions for taking advantage of techniques and      methods representing a living tradition that are still in use in some      regions of Europe

b)  collaborate to develop methods for analysis and interpretation of      wooden constructions, based on knowledge in traditional crafts

c)  circulate knowledge and methods for training developed nationally

Loss of knowledge in crafts related to traditional wooden constructions

The industrialisation of the European society has to a large extent changed the methods of building. The traditional way of building has been replaced by a highly industrialised production system. In Sweden there was a total brake with the traditional way of building and there is no continuos, living tradition in the crafts related to traditional wooden constructions. We think the situation is similar in many other European countries. We have ended up in a situation where there is extremely difficult to find craftsmen skilled in traditional crafts related to traditional or pre-modern ways of building and that are capable of doing conservation work with the same materials, tools and techniques that once was used to erect these historic buildings. The implication of this is that it is very difficult to preserve historic wooden buildings "within its own logic".

The preservation is also depending upon the existence of craftsmen that are capable of making detailed analysis and interpretations of the historical constructions. This loss of accumulated knowledge is a fundamental problem today as the modern, scientific (natural science) paradigm only offers a number of modern skills, materials and methods, very different from the traditional knowledge of the craftsmen and the local community.

This knowledge is relevant to every detail of the preservation of the European wooden building heritage. The pre-modern wooden constructions differs in many details between countries, but the conclusion must be that the pre-modern wooden buildings of Europe shows striking similarities. In any significant dimension, this is a common heritage.

Securing skills in crafts needed for future preservation; 1. Training programme - workshops for craftsmen at wooden building conservation sites

Skills in crafts related to historic wooden buildings is today a scarce resource. We must try save the little remains that still exist of this knowledge. Much is already lost, but we can try to make better conditions for the crafts to survive and develop and we can also put efforts to try to regain lost knowledge. The conclusion must be that the main task is to develop methods for training craftsmen in traditional wooden crafts and involve them in the interpretation of how historical work was executed. In this project we propose workshops where craftsmen from different European countries meet and work together at wooden building conservation sites.

An important thing we must take into account is that skills in crafts represent a system of knowledge different from scientific knowledge. This knowledge can not be fully described and communicated in words and pictures. On the contrary, this knowledge is developed through the practical application of craft and can only be transferred through a working situation where people are participating.

Experienced craftsmen
To make this project work it is very important to understand the exchange situation that will take place during the workshops. Craftsmen is most often very interested in discussions with colleagues at the same level of skill that they themselves represent. They can arrange a balanced exchange of information. They communicate information that they have learned, but they also receive information in return. The information is similar to personal experiences accumulated during many years of work. Because of this, inexperienced people like students can not be sent to these workshops. Students are of course interested of receiving information from experienced craftsmen, but they can only contribute to little extent. They have no experience from the field relevant to the other participating craftsmen. There will be an unbalanced exchange of knowledge within the group, which can make the whole project fail. There must be a fairly equivalent level of skills within the group.

Types of crafts/professionals
It is of course of great importance that craftsmen sent to the workshops represent crafts related to wooden buildings and to the working situation during the workshop. To Swedish conditions this means carpenters. It is not suitable to send craftsmen or professionals with very periphery skills in relation to the workshop situation. Therefore, it is important that participating countries describe the works and the object where the workshop is taken place. We also suggest that each country send one conservation architect to the workshops.

Essential circumstances concerning the restoration-conservation site.
Knowledge of skills can only be exchanged during a working situation. This type of knowledge can not be put into words and books in the same way as academic science. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the workshops are arranged in a way so that practical work can take place without problems. This means for example;

-  that a conservation programme exists and is approved by the authorities

-  there is a responsible architect/conservation officer in charge of the    conservation work

-  that a building contractor responsible for preparation and finishing of    the work is  contracted and that the necessary insurance's, equipment    and supply of materials needed during the workshop are supplied

-  that necessary materials and tools etc must be prepared

-  that the number of working stations is adjusted to the number of    participating craftsmen. The work ;must be executed without    disruptions caused for example by too many people working at each    working station.

-  that there is other similar buildings in the area for comparing studies

-  that there is possibilities to make excursions to study forests and    forestry methods

Each workshop approx. 12 days
Our proposal is that each workshop starts at Monday morning (arrivals the Sunday) and ends on Friday the following week. Work is undertaken every workday and excursions during the weekend in the middle.

Organising the workshops
The way of organising the workshops is depending on the total number of craftsmen participating. Probably, it is necessary to have at least two parallel workshops (restoration sites) running at the same time, preferable within the same area. The number of craftsmen working at the same restoration object must not be too many, because this will disturb the work and the exchange of knowledge. The workshops must be concentrated to practical conservation work, but, at the same time, give time for discussions and demonstrations of various moments. There must be a sufficient number of work stations in relation to the number of participants.

Increased participation of craftsmen in programme work will deepen our knowledge and enhance the quality of conservation work.
The production of a conservation programme is most often undertaken by a conservation architect. The craftsmen are introduced in the conservation process much later, when the practical work is supposed to be executed. We are convinced that more information about the building will be accumulated and that the quality of the analysis of the building will be much higher if craftsmen specialised in building conservation are participating in the programme phase of the process. Buildings will be better understood if people representing the same logic or knowledge system that once built the wooden building are participating to a wider extent in the process. During the workshops, we suggest that methods of involving craftsmen in the analysis phase of the conservation process should be tested.

In order to introduce the craftsmen to the object(s) that hosts the workshop, we suggest that the workshop starts with a presentation of the object and the conservation programme by the responsible architect. After this introduction, we propose that the group is divided into smaller groups of 2-4 people and that they will study all parts of the building that will be subject for conservation and to discuss the proposed measures and maybe suggest alternative solutions (that, according to financing, can or can not be executed during this conservation). Finally, all groups discuss the conservation programme all together. This procedure may take 1-2 days. After this phase, the craftsmen are divided in small groups that will execute the conservation work at different workstations.

Each country in which the workshop is held is responsible for a brief report about what is done and the experiences made. Each workshop will be presented at the Conference.

Swedish participants
Sweden will send carpenters specialised in conservation works at heritage wooden buildings. They work with all kinds of details related to wooden buildings, i.e. frame systems, roof constructions, facade panelling, windows, interior and exterior carpentry, log constructions etc. Our craftsmen do not (with a few exceptions) represent a living tradition concerning traditional skills, but have been specialising towards conservation of wooden buildings during many years. They have developed their practical skills and theoretical knowledge through experiences from many conservation works and through collaboration with conservation officers, architects, conservators etc.

We think we can offer experienced, well organised and highly interested craftsmen with a natural feeling for responsibility of the final result. They have a developed skill for making decisions concerning decisions to make during the running work. They are trained to work independent without a conservation architect present all the time.

In addition to the craftsmen, we would like to send one or two persons skilled in documentation of buildings and/or skilled in documentation of working processes.

Number of people
We hope that it is possible to send 4-8 craftsmen one conservation architect. The number is depending upon the arrangement of the workshops.

To learn outside
The high priority aim is to create a situation where our craftsmen can work on a real conservation site together with highly skilled and experienced craftsmen from other countries, representing similar craft traditions within a common European heritage. Craftsmen from countries with a living tradition is of course very interesting to us in Sweden where there is almost no living tradition within these crafts. We think that the opportunity the craftsmen are given during the workshops to discuss materials, tools, construction details, restoration techniques etc. will be an important influence on preservation of wooden buildings in Sweden.

Time schedule
Our suggestion is that we arrange two workshops each year with start in Sweden early summer 2001 and continue with a second workshop in September-October the same year. The following workshops take place at the same periods during 2002 and 2003, depending on the number of participating countries. The conference can be arranged in 2002.

Additional activity 1
We think it is important to arrange social activities to support the socialisation process within the group of people participating in the workshops. Dinners where everybody is invited is a very good example that are not very difficult to arrange.

Additional activity 2
Arranging excursions in purpose to introduce the participants to the local wooden architecture in the region where the workshops are taking place.

Additional activity 3
We think it is very important to promote this type of activities in our home countries. This is at least necessary in Sweden, where only a small number of managers within the heritage authorities fully has understood what is needed to secure the crafts needed for the future preservation of wooden buildings. We suggest that a "guest programme" can be arranged at each workshop so that the guests can study the training programme and participate in an excursion for let say during three days in total.

Conservation-restoration sites in Sweden suitable to join the project.
Without any problems, Sweden can offer a wide range of wooden objects for the workshops. These are some examples;

-  Wooden bell towers, 17-18th century.

-  Wooden farm houses in the region of Halsingland. Big, panelled log    buildings, 18-19th century. See some pictures at    www.halsingegardar.com

-  Small logbuildings for storing crops etc. 15-18th century

-  Wooden buildings at the island of Gotland. Wooden frame    constructions, 18-19th century.

The choice of worksite(s) in Sweden will be undertaken when the proposal has been discussed among all participating countries.

Support to receive European professionals and to send our professionals
We think there are two alternative ways of financing the project.

1)  The first alternative needs a coordinated application for financial support      from the European Union. Each country contribute with some financial      support, but a substantial amount will hopefully be added from the EU.

     This first alternative exposes the project to a risk, because if the      application will be turned down, the whole project will fail.

2)  The second alternative is based upon the idea that each participating      country finances the costs for its participants taking part in workshops      outside the home country and that each country pays for the costs      related to the arrangement of its own workshop. This means for      example that Sweden will cover all costs for accommodation, meals      and local transportation for every participating guest craftsman during      the workshop in Sweden.

2. Conference: Wooden constructions in Pre-modern Society

Purposes;
-  Highlight and increase the knowledge about Pre-modern, traditional    wooden constructions and techniques needed for a deeper analysis and    interpretation

-  Securing and developing the skills in traditional crafts necessary for    future conservation and preservation of the European wooden heritage.

-  To search for and pay attention to still existing living knowledge in    traditional techniques of wooden constructions

-  To develop models for documentation of crafts and methods for    transmission of skills in traditional techniques of wooden constructions

This is important when the built wooden heritage often belongs to the folk tradition where historical sources often are very few. The building itself becomes a very important source. The craftsman, representing the "knowledge system" that once produced these wooden constructions, is important in the interpretations and understanding of this sources.


Skills in crafts can only to a limited extent be interpreted into words and pictures and differs therefore from "normal" scientific knowledge. This type of knowledge is stored in within the human brain and body and can only be transferred from one person to another during practical work.

The conference will focus on how we can secure and develop knowledge in crafts needed for a deeper analysis and interpretation of Pre-modern wooden buildings. Large parts of this accumulated knowledge has been lost. We must try to find the remains of the skills that once existed and pass it on to a new generation of craftsmen. We must also develop methods for regaining lost knowledge. This can be done through developing models of analysing details in historic wooden buildings and also by developing training methods which make it possible for craftsmen to share their knowledge. For example studies general and special

An important part of the conference must also be to define the conceptions of "traditional" and "Pre-modern" and other words used in this project.