Hello,
Yeah, my first thought was also something German, except from the outside and then the more closely I looked the less sure of that idea I was. Not out of any technical considerations but more intuitively I am convinced that it might be worth looking for Scandinavian, specifically Norwegian origins. Someone, sorry I don't remember who, put up here a very nice report on simple Norwegian timber buildings which might reveal some ties.

Oh yea, there are really no ethnic distinctions to be made within Europe except for gypsies, who we all know live in those colorful wooden wagons.

Greetings,

Don Wagstaff