Hand Hewn

Hand Hewn is a gorgeous celebration of the traditions and artistry of timber-frame building, a 7,000-year-old craft that holds an enduring attraction for its simple elegance, resilience, and the warmth of the wood. Internationally renowned timber-frame architect and craftsman Jack A. Sobon offers a fascinating look at how the natural, organic forms of trees become the framework for a home, with profiles of the classic tools he uses to hand hew and shape each timber and explanations of the clever engineering of the wooden joinery connecting the timbers, without a single nail. Inspiring photos of Sobon's original interior home designs, as well as historical examples of long-lived structures in Europe and North America, make this a compelling tribute to the lasting value of artisanal craftsmanship and a thoughtful, deliberate approach to designing buildings.

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In this gorgeous celebration of the traditional craft of timber framing, an internationally renowned architect and contemporary craftsman explores the history, artistry, tools, and design principles behind timber-frame buildings past and present.

1 The Making of a Timber Framer

2 An Intimacy with Wood

3 History of the Craft in America

4 Reading an Old Building

5 Hand Tools

6 Design, Architecture & Geometry

7 Why Timber Framing Is Still Relevant Today

References & Further Reading

Acknowledgments

Index