Hi Jack Constantino,
Welcome to the forum.
Hi Richard,
I tend to live my life in the past mainly because I can. There are a number of really old buildings within walking distance of my home however I once lived on the prairies and that option simply would not have been available to me and so what can a person domiciled in the new world do to learn "how to" timber-frame. My first introduction to the craft of timber-framing was the purchase of Ted Benson's first book in "The Bay" in Edmonton when it was minus 40 degrees outside. I read and re read this book over the winter becoming more aware of the possibilities that timber-framing could afford but at the same time struggled to reconcile what I was seeing in his book with what I had seen and experienced back in England. So started the never ending journey.
The Guild is all about communication be this written, drawn, photographed, demonstrated, practical demonstration, workshops, networking, personal contacts, good works, etc.
There is a real need to join up what The Guild practices and preaches today with discoveries still being made by building researchers in the hope that we can develop a much better understanding of what design aspects and practices form the basis to build buildings today that will hopefully still have a relevance in the built environment in another 700 years time.
A good example of this process is contained in an article by Duncan James on the use of frame saws versus pit (whip) saws as was recently published in Vernacular Architecture - (vol 43 pages 7-18). There is a complete absence of input into this article from acknowleged North American sources and possibly this presents an opportunity for Guild persons such as Jack Sobon and Richard Casselmaine (Northern Hewer) to help join up the dots.
Mike,
You have still not explained the recent move of the Guild HQ to Beckett, Mass.
The Guild currency is knowledge.
Regards
Ken Hume
