The tradition of wooden constructions in buildings and furniture is very old in the Baltic Sea region. The same constructions are used in both buildings and furniture. This heritage needs maintenance and conservation on different levels. The technical solutions of the past make this work both interesting and challenging.
Wood is a warm material. It is also light and strong. It is easy to work. It emits no harmful particles. It allows diffusion of moisture through the material thus creating a comfortable indoor climate. And above all: it is sustainable in the true sense of the word as it is a natural product, a part of the ecosystem. This, of course, leads to the limitations of the material: it can be destroyed by fungi, insects, UV radiation and fire. Moreover, we have to pay special attention to the fact that it goes on forever reacting to moisture by swelling and shrinking.
The Intensive Course Historical Wooden Constructions at Siger farm in Eksta on Gotland (Sweden) in April 2014 was about conservation of wooden constructions (Sustainable Heritage report No. 7). A windmill and a historical barn were repaired and given a coat of traditional red earth paint.
- Film report of performed work.
- Joosep Metslang: Lecture Historical wooden constructions.
- Niklas Nyman: Lecture.
- Hands–on work in spring 2014.
- The report from this intensive course was concentrated on windmills in the three participating countries (PDF).
