| Fans of fifteenth century French vernacular architecture
will be able to examine and work with traditional methods and materials
used in Normandy as they help restore two structures in Chenedouit.
Built by emerging medieval Yeomanry, buildings of the period are
characterized by stone foundation and walls with heavy wood framing
supporting a thatched roof. Interior floors, called torchi, were
built of compacted earth; some buildings still retain floors from
the 1600s. Severe weather in 2000 caused major damage to a number
of these structures in the region and traditional methods are
being used to restore the medieval buildings.
 This
two-week workshop is a cooperative effort between Heritage Conservation
Network and Jacob Arndt of Northwest
Masonry & Stone. Workshop participants will be working at two
structures in Chenedouit: a vernacular house and a bread oven
which, historically, served a number of houses in the community.
Once restored, the buildings will be used as a school for architectural
students and builders interested in working with traditional materials
and methods. The priority during the workshop is repairing the roof
of the bread oven. Participants will learn to make mortise and tenon
joints in rough oak timbers that will be fitted together and installed.
They will then make and place oak lattice in preparation for the
thatch reed roof. Jacob Arndt will also teach stone cutting
skills using the local granite, and will include lettering technique.
Instruction will be in English and French. All levels of
experience are welcome, and participants will be able to vary their
tasks depending on their specific interests.
This workshop is the first in a series of workshops in Normandy.
Follow-up workshops will focus on lime mortar tuckpointing and repairing
torchi (mud daub) floors in addition to continuing with roofing
and stone work.
The workshop will be two weeks in length and participants may register
for either one or two weeks. The cost is US$950 for one week and
US$1900 for two weeks, which will cover lodging, breakfast and lunch,
insurance and workshop materials. The cost for area residents not
requiring lodging or breakfast is $350 per week. Transportation
will be provided from the Millenium Hotel near the Charles de Galle
Airport to the work site at noon on Sunday, but transportation to
the Millenium Hotel (and any accommodation there) is not included
and is the responsibility of the participant. The return to Paris
from the site at the end of the workshop is again the responsibility
of the participant, and trains allow for an easy trip. Participants
will stay at a local bed and breakfast; daily transportation to
and from the workshop site is provided. The workshop agenda will
be finalized approximately two weeks before the workshop.
During the workshop, evenings and the weekend are free for individual
exploration, shopping, or for informally organized visits to villages
and historic sites. The beaches of Normandy are a 45-minute drive
north. Paris is a 2-hour train journey east.
Normandy has a warm temperate climate, and in September expect
daytime highs in the low 70s F (25C). Participants should bring
attire suitable for the weather that will also be protective while
working. Sturdy shoes, work gloves, water bottles, insect repellant
and sunscreen are recommended. Work done on the roof of the house
must be undertaken with care and only those comfortable with heights
need carry out this part of the work. Please be conscious that safety
is an important issue at any work site.
If you need additional information, please contact us at workshops@heritageconservation.net
or call +1 303-444-0128.
If you find this project intriguing, but are unable to attend,
you can still participate by supporting conservation work at Chenedouit
and at other project sites with a gift to HCN. Donations are tax
deductible and will be used in a variety of ways - to sponsor a
participant, to provide materials needed for conservation work,
or to provide teaching materials for participants, to name just
a few.
We've partnered with Groundspring.org to make it easy and safe
for you to donate online:
If you would prefer to mail in a gift, please use our donation
form. |
