We’ve had a lot of curious visitors to site this week, with one passer by saying, ‘Wow, it’s like Adult lego!’. Timber frame assembly is a matrix of numbers and unique parts that would be the dream of any puzzle lover. It’s amazing how the systemisation comes together. I was enthusiastic about timber frame before, but now seeing it in action, I’m a total convert. It’s been an absolute joy watching the craftsmen working together the past few of days, showing total commitment. The tool belts were tied on and they’re ready for action, nipping up and down ladders, signalling to the crane driver and slowly and carefully fitting each piece into place. It’s a tidy and efficient site with almost zero waste. Everything brought onto site has a designated role to play. I enjoyed going around the site looking at various parts, trying to figure their place in the design, from the shape and material. It feels like the best way to build for the technology and skills available, even in a rural part of the country. I wondered if the days are numbered for the slow rhythm of the cement mixer on a neighbouring site, where undependable labour comes and goes.
Although the build uses all the modern machinery available from manufacturing technology, cranes to cordless hand tools, there is still hardy experienced bodies, souls and minds using their expertise and skill to get the job done. It has been so interesting to watch all the coordination come together, but also feels like the ultimate luxury to watch our home been built. The work was intense and in full flow from dawn, but the tea break came at 10:40, tools were set-down and bodies were rested and refreshed, a temporary canteen was assembled with metal benches unfolded and pulled together. This is how a hard-working team is sustained. I don’t know if this is the 100th house they’ve made in a long career of making, but we are very grateful for their commitment to making our home, using skill and care. As Adrian our contractor from Irish Ecohomes said ‘We try to do our best for every project.
