Timberframing can use a lot less wood than conventional framing depending on what the infill is (ie bales, light clay) and the timber can be obtained from more sustainable sources than what the building supply stores provide. We have a wealth of waste-wood here on the coast from neighbors, to slash piles and the seashore. Plus when we obtain the wood from these local sources we become connected to the materials and their story becomes part of the story of our houses and in turn our story. Timberframes are strong, last hundreds of years (if done right) and have a beautiful feel to them. I like them because they have the potential to really celebrate the trees and show them off in the house (as well as all those sweet joints cut with care) while proving that we don’t need metals fasteners to hold our houses together. timberframing is one of humanity’s greatest achievements in architecture and I support any means of spreading it’s use!

Thanks for passing in this great info. Does the Tadelakt hold up well? This is a great
alternative to the accepted conventional method of tiling with lots of glue, grout and plastic stuff. Did you need to use quicklime? Does it just keep getting harder? What about outdoor applications prone to weather exposure? Great work, I hope to check it out soon, Mike

It certainly makes for more than a little bit of sadness and worry about this new chapter in the financial story at OUR. but I am holding lots of hope that it will become a springboard for even better things to come, and just one more marker on this incredible road to building better, and more conscious communities.

in support,
Mark