Product Description

Half-timbered houses, cottages and barnes are a familiar feature of the landscape, but only rarely do we have an opportunity to see below the surface and understand how they were planned and constructed. Timber-framed buildings catch the imagination of those who work with them because of their beauty, their strength and the quality of the material of which they were made: English oak. Many thousands of buildings of all ages still remain to remind us the strength of the tradition. This book looks behind the commong image of 'black and white' houses, showing how timber buildings were built and how they vary from region to region.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30398 in Books
• Published on: 1993-06-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Review
'... the best general book on (England's) timber-framed buildings. Written and beautifully illustrated by Richard Harris, the book is not just essential for those interested in the subject, but because of the detail of the drawings, is invaluable for any architect involved in repairing or moving a timber-framed building.' Architects Journal 'Richard Harris has made a masterly job of his contributionto the series. The book should be purchased by every student of local history.' Bulletin of Local History.

About the Author
Richard Harris spent his first day as an architectural assistant surveying a medieval timber-framed building and has been fascinated ever since. After training at the Architectural Association in London, he worked on research and reconstruction projects at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings and since 1975 he has been based at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, West Sussex, where he is Director.

Customer Reviews

Great little introduction to old British timber buildings
This is the perfect introduction for older children or interested adults to the timber framed buildings of England and Wales. It's enough to make a visit to somewhere like Rufford far more interesting, yet simple enough for anyone to pick up and read in one sitting.

A little thicker than the usual Shire books, but still keeping to their usual format of small, lightweight books that offer a neat introduction to a subject.

Great little guide
A tiny pocketbook, clearly illustrated. Why are there so few publications on our own timber-frame heritage?

Nice little find
I discovered this little book in Oxfam and it is absolutely superb! lots of simple sketches, photos and diagrams of buildings and details with ample annotations.