Building wisdom 15 Oct 2011

Building wisdom 15 Oct 2011

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

Bending timbers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonsai event

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 24^th Avenue Surrey, BC.

Thanks for all volunteers.