亀の甲より年の功
Romaji—
Kamenokō yori toshinokō
Literally—
From the wisdom of an old turtle.
Meaning—
Years know more than books.
—Japanese proverb
Building wisdom 15 Oct 2011
October 25, 2011 – 4:37 pm
Bending timbers
October 25, 2011 – 4:25 pm
from Daizen News, 15 October 2011
Some clients desire the look of bent timber. To achieve this, we decide first whether the timber is structural or not.
The strength of structural timber depends at a very basic level on the fibre connections in the wood itself. If the fibres are severed by a cut-out curve, the wood can no longer act as a structural member.
Our approach to a structural curve is to start with solid timber sliced into the optimal thickness. The exact thickness depends on the radius of the curve. We then bend the timber (using a vise like the one below) and achieve the desired final thickness by laminating the slices.
For curves, we use Free of Heart Center (FOHC) timbers. The laminations are very hard to spot, since we slice from the same grain. We test this by asking our colleagues to find the individual slices in the final laminated wood. Over 95% of the people we show our solid bent lamination to think it is a natural bend. This bent timber retains the integrity of the wood’s fiber connection. Further, since the wood is sliced longitudinally, it is in fact more stable than solid timber, which can twist and warp. Note the twist in the straight timber below, where the curved timber has no twist.
Remembering this distinction in approach should help in design. If timber is non-structural, a cutout from wide timber should be free of heart center for best appearance. If the timber is to be structural, it will likely require slicing, bending, and relaminating.
Multi-purpose windows
October 21, 2011 – 4:47 pm
from Daizen News, 15 Oct 2011
The jobs of a window are to (1) bring light in, (2) expose a view, or (3) exchange air. A classic picture window accomplishes the first two, usually becoming a focal point in a room as well; all other opening windows (such as hinged casement, horizontal sliding, or double-hung sash) exchange air. They may also bring light in or allow a view, but windows that open rarely accomplish all three goals equally well.
Certainly a uniquely-shaped window can be best at adding light and showing off a view. Integrating an opening mechanism is a challenge for an odd-shaped window, such as the circle in this example. My first thought was to place an electric fan in window frame that works both ways (air in and air out), but the air pressure differential is sufficient on its own to exchange the air.
I prefer a low-tech, non-mechanized solution where possible, so I simply placed ventilation holes in the window frame to fulfill the important third function of exchanging air.
House inspection and repair
October 10, 2011 – 4:22 pm
We got call from lady who own 30 years old famous design Cedar home. She said house is shifting so I went down to inspected. There are few design failure, roof beam were exposed but not serious damage from weather are affected yet. Main issue was that Purlin (roof beam) were spliced in middle that has no compression beam to prevent beam to push towards in middle, also beam were sitting on post with few nails only. Timber were used in green boxed heart so it twisted as much as the beam wanted. Steel plate were added sometime later after its build that is bended. At same time tension rod was place in between the roof beam but it was wrong, it needed compression beam or rod.
We will be placing middle compression beam and push back a roof a bid.
This example shows how important to get the structure engineer and understand how wood react down the road.
Whistler round to square house update
October 10, 2011 – 4:13 pm
While we were at BC wood AGM, BC wood made tour and two out of four were the frame we provided. Round natural log and square timber are for sure good combination for any resort set up and makes one of kind building. This project is build by Craig Ross who is contractor in Whistler, great job in design modification and finishes, we provided timber structure and stairs. Kalwall by the stair tower is insulated and bring very warm light in to the building.
Kinnear Woodland Hills, entrance mill work
October 10, 2011 – 3:58 pm
Here is good example of how 3D computer rendering help for client to see final result and make decisions in color, size and all aspect. Designed by Willms Design Service.
We modified the design a bid and worked out very well.
Chase Joyce Dunn Theater, dome cover added
October 10, 2011 – 3:47 pm
There are many request from musician that they wanted to cover the ring to protect from rain for performance. This was against my design point of view but I also understood their reason so we made dome that will make minimum sound reflect and installed. Main focus for manufacturing was how to be water proof, we made groove in any fitting can be water leak concern and placed Hanno tape, then placed 5 layer of RV repair paint on top that match the color of roof single.
BC Wood GBM Whistler
October 10, 2011 – 3:39 pm
BC Wood GBM in Sep 8th to 10th were successfully done. My presentation to Architect was focused on why and how timber twist, and how we can control. Also Gluelam to kiln dry timber comparison in size and length were made clear what is optimal size to use in design with timber for public building design.
Bonsai event
October 10, 2011 – 3:28 pm
As a part of fund raising for Japan Tsunami Relief, we joined this Bonsai event held in Japanese Bonsai Garden Surrey. Event was very successful, lots of Bonsai lovers got together and great demonstration and Taiko drum performance were truly touched performance. We prepared 6 benches and 8 blocks to donate and all sold in this event. We have three gate left to sale to raise funds, gate are dispalyed at Japanese Bonsai Garden, 16164 24th Avenue Surrey, BC.
Thanks for all volunteers.
Building wisdom 1 Oct 2011
October 2, 2011 – 6:03 am
Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun.
—Frank Lloyd Wright
Project profile: lighthouse cabin
October 2, 2011 – 5:58 am
from Daizen News, 1 Oct 2011
This three-story timber framed getaway, inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry, was designed by Karl Willms (willmsdesign.com), a strategic partner to Daizen.
Inward-leaning corner posts make a very strong structure, especially for a tall building.
In the Japanese model for this building—like a bell housing atop a temple—the four lengthwise planes of the corner posts are not square timbers, but instead intersect in a diamond shape. The diamond angles are carefully calculated so that once the timber ends are leveled horizontally, those ends are square. The horizontal plane is then entirely plumb and square for best connection to intersecting joinery and finish material.
There were no public roads to the site: all materials were transported by boat and raised by human power!
None of the raising team complained about the hard work of a hand raising. We all enjoyed the experience, in part because we could see the results of our work right away.
None of the raising team complained about the hard work of a hand raising. We all enjoyed the experience, in part because we could see the results of our work right away.
Timber and steel–a robust marriage
October 2, 2011 – 5:49 am
from Daizen News 1 Oct 2011
In look, feel, and function, steel and timber
blend very well. Steel is, after all, derived from naturally-occurring
materials. And its strength is a welcome assist to challenging loads. In the
image below, a steel tension rod adds support to a hammer-beam truss.
Where the tension occurs in a joint, steel is
often used to meet the structural load demand. Steel placed to help bear loads
also presents an opportunity to include some unique detail, if desired.
Several tools and materials further support the melding of steel and timber.
CNC technology provides laser cut capabilities to shape the steel plate, with
precise, free-curve cuts that enhance design potential. And giving the
steel a black powder coat results in superior contrast and “finish” to the
ruddy tones of wooden posts and beams.
Incorporating structural steel is not for the faint-hearted, though. Of key importance is the actual steel to wood connection, especially when using a steel tension rod.
It’s not possible to align steel plate holes to the timber holes unless there are tolerances. If the holes don’t line up, the thread on the ready rod may scratch at the edge of the steel hole.
To avoid this, we do a dry fit of the timber to the plate before drilling the holes on the steel plate. This is easily done with a magnet drill.
Since the timber is the more active material (shrinking, etc.), it’s best to get the timber frame fabricator to control these steel plate connections. If you separate these components, the chance of a resulting tolerance issue is very high.
