WELCHES, Ore., March 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Timber frame craftsmen from the U.S., Canada and Europe will meet from April 13-17 at the Resort at the Mountain in Welches, Oregon to examine the history and future of forests and post-and-beam building.
The Timber Framers Guild is an international educational organization of 2,000 members dedicated to preserving and promoting the craft of timber framing, which uses large wood beams connected by wooden, pegged joinery. This 19th annual Western Conference will feature demonstrations by craftsmen from France and Germany; a tour of a home near Corbett noted for "green" building techniques; a Natural Building track; and featured speaker Tedd Benson, author of "Building the Timber Frame Home" and regarded by many as the father of modern timber framing. Thirty other presenters are on the schedule, along with a Trade Fair, Project Exhibition and Book Store.
Sim Van der Ryn, former California State Architect, will lead a Thursday workshop that allows participants to work through their own design projects, and will give a keynote talk titled "Design for Life". International Log Builders Association Executive Director Robert Savignac will also be on the agenda.
The public is invited to attend the event; advance registration and a conference fee are required. For further information, or to register, contact the Timber Framers Guild at 413-623-9926, or visit their website at www.tfguild,org (includes a detailed conference schedule). Membership in the Guild is open to all.
The Timber Framers Guild is a 501(c)3 charitable educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the craft of timber framing. Founded in 1985, it now has almost 2000 members in 16 countries. Besides the numerous workshops, publications and conferences the Guild produces, each year members volunteer for special community service projects, which also serve as training exercises.