To achieve with the least possible means a home of one’s own: Designing a wood masonry building using offcuts from the sawmill industry

Abstract

Historically, times of crisis and scarcity have forced people to use what materials they have available in the most frugal way and invent ingenious methods of building using previously disregarded materials. Yet amidst today’s climate crisis, when timber is hailed as the key to a more sustainable construction industry, as much as 80% of the timber produced in Sweden is used to make short-lived goods. This is despite the fact that environmental organizations deem it crucial that as much as possible is used in building construction, in order to reap the benefits of the wood’s carbon sequestration properties. This thesis argues that one way to utilize the material more efficiently is to rethink which types and qualities of wood we use for construction, and that historical buildings might provide direction. It focuses on a vernacular building technique which was in use in parts of Sweden and Norway between 1850 and 1950 but has since fallen into obscurity. The technique is a form of masonry using wood, and though there are several known variations across Europe under the umbrella term ‘wood masonry’, this thesis concerns one using short plank offcuts which were laid like bricks in a running bond. Rather than merely trying to revive this forgotten building technique, it is examined from a contemporary perspective, by studying flows of byproducts from today’s timber industry, and relating the design work to architects who have worked with or in relation to vernacular architecture, including Francis Kéré internationally, and Jan Gezelius from Swedish tradition. Writings by Swedish architectural theoretician Finn Werne helped position the thesis design work in relation to the existing cultural heritage of both the technique itself and the geographical region of Bohuslän, which the plank masonry technique specifically had strong ties to. The result is the design of two single-family houses, constructed in the plank masonry technique using offcuts taken from the production of finger joint lumber at a specific sawmill. Finally, a discussion is had that evaluates which measures would be needed for the technique to prove a viable alternative in construction today.