Monastery Timber Frame, Day 6-7

The first truss is completed, which makes for quite an informative milestone! Throughout the making of this first truss, we have been deliberating and deciding on how to execute various elements. Drawing, plans, and models serve well as guides for the finished look, but they ought to never replace the assessment gained by simply stepping back and looking at the work. For example, the material at hand isn't true dimensional material. Instead of having 10x10" standard posts, we are working with 9 1/2x9 1/2". Not a terribly big deal, as long the thickness disparities are accounted for. Our material being 1/2" thinner has altered some of the radiuses cut into the braces, which in turn changes the aesthetic. In the design the jambe de force braces didn't overpower the jambe de force and didn't look top heavy, but in the field they did. We stepped back, considered, and found a pleasing resolution.

  I am pleased with where we have landed.