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Traditional Building: Grindbygg Construction   

This course focuses on the construction of a traditional Norwegian timber-framed building from the west coast of Norway, known as a grindbygg. The course is led by returning Norwegian instructor Trond Oalaan, who has extensive practical experience as a craftsman and has conducted research into the history and development of this building tradition. The grindbygg, with its distinctive structural logic, has become well known far beyond its original geographical region. In this course, we will focus on the earliest known form of this construction, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. This early variant has only been reconstructed once in modern times, in Norway. Compared with later versions, these buildings are generally more refined and elegant in both design and craftsmanship. Trond participated in building the first modern reconstruction of this early type of grindbygg, offering students a unique opportunity to learn directly from someone involved in reviving this historic tradition. During the course, we will focus on the construction design itself and the methods used to build it. Participants will learn about the historical background while gaining hands-on experience with a range of traditional Norwegian woodworking techniques and tools. This includes hewing timber with a broad axe, splitting timber with an axe, and working with a selection of traditional hand planes.

Required Tools

  • All tools will be provided.

 

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