The Craft
Traditional timber framing in a modern world
What is traditional timber framing?
Timber framing is a millennia-old building technique where wooden structures are joined with mortise-and-tenon joints, pegs, and hand-cut connections — entirely without nails or screws. It is building art in its purest form: precision, material understanding, and generations of knowledge united in every joint.
In Denmark, timber framing has been a cornerstone of construction since the medieval period. From farmhouses to churches, town houses to manor estates — timber framing has shaped the Danish landscape. Today, this knowledge is at risk of being forgotten.
The Northmen
Øhavsladen is being constructed in collaboration with The Northmen, an internationally recognised timber framing company led by Tom Schotman. The Northmen bring expertise in historical timber construction from projects across Europe.
Heritage Preservation
Øhavsladen is not just about one building — it is about preserving a living tradition. By creating a place where traditional techniques are practised and taught, we ensure this knowledge survives for future generations. This is heritage preservation through practice, not just documentation.