[ bs ] Can you share the story behind your company being established and what inspired you to specialise in historic timber framing?
[ SC ] I have always had an interest in timber buildings going back to when I was a child and I was dragged round the Weald and Downland open air museum by my parents. Way back in the 90’s I was living in Kent and working for a general builder. We often carried out works to old buildings around the village. One day we removed some weather board from the side of an old cottage to reveal a timber framed wall replete with mullioned window and wattle and daub panels. I was hooked from then on. After some years in France working on old farm buildings, I returned to the UK and gained employment with the Weald and Downland. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Roger Champion who restored most of the buildings there. He was a mine of information and amusing anecdotes. From there I set up Greenman Carpentry in 2007 with a fellow carpenter Astley, our mission, to merge traditional framing techniques with modern eco building systems. Over the years the historic frame repair side has become the core of our business. It would seem that there are no end of historic buildings rotting away due to poor quality repairs mainly carried out in the 20C. Our knowledge of construction methods using lime and natural insulations has dovetailed well with our primary mission.
[ bs ] Were there early challenges when starting your career?
[ SC ] The challenge early on was finding the work, it’s not an easy industry to get a foothold. I feel that we were lucky in the early days finding clients who put their trust in us and were open to new ideas.
[ bs ] How have people’s attitudes toward heritage conservation and sustainable building practices shifted since you began your work, and how has your business evolved?
[ SC ] Early on it was a challenge convincing people that they had to use certain materials which often come with a higher price tag. Also, some traditional methods can seem labour intensive and therefore expensive. These days clients tend to have a certain amount of insight into the do’s and dont’s of listed properties and are keen to find someone who is experienced in restoration practice.
[ bs ] Could you describe a memorable project that really encapsulates your company’s commitment to preserving historic structures?
[ SC ] We restored a Medieval hall house from 1430 (dendro dated) in Haslemere a few years ago. The building was not listed but was saved from demolition by the local conservation officer. We restored the remains of the timber frame and reversed poor alterations to the roof to return it to its original layout. Alongside the restoration of the frame, we brought the whole structure up to date with insulation, limecrete floor, underfloor heating and heat pump. We went to great lengths to preserving some historic features like a paved floor and internal jetty.
[ bs ] How do you balance maintaining traditional craftsmanship with integrating modern standards into your projects?
[ SC ] When repairing historic timber frames, an understanding of the methods used by the original carpenters is essential. The techniques they employed in the layout and marking up of the timbers transfer really well to carrying out repairs. We obviously have power tools that can speed up certain aspects of the job but it’s the language of the framing that is the key.
The next thing is to choose the correct materials for the job in hand. Once you understand the pitfalls of modern materials like cement and gypsum, it doesn’t take long to realise that the old materials are the best for the job. This approach is compatible with eco building products as the emphasis in both cases is breathability. For example, most eco plasters are lime based and insulation tend to be made from natural fibres. This all helps with the overall ’health’ of the building.
[ bs ] Are there any common misconceptions about restoration that you frequently encounter, and how do you address them with your clients?
[ SC ] The biggest misconception is the fear of the Conservation officer. We find that working with them at every stage pays dividends in the long run. The misconception is that they will stop you from changing anything. The reality is that they want to know that, whatever plans have been drawn up, have been thought through with special regard to the historic integrity and that the person carrying out the work is competent.
[ bs ] What aspect of your work do you enjoy most?
[ SC ] The best bit is when it’s done and you can stand back and admire how it all came together. There is a lot of thought that goes into every aspect of what we do and it feels good when you see the work take shape in the way you imagined.
[ bs ] Looking ahead, what trends do you foresee in the area of heritage restoration and how is your company preparing for these changes?
[ SC ] We are seeing more and more people wanting to save energy. It’s no wonder with the cost of fuel the way it is. It would be interesting to see how conservation meets the needs of the ever changing climate. We feel more can be done to make these old buildings fit for the 21st century whilst maintaining historic fabric. We are currently specifying more thermally efficient products than we ever used to.
Further information on Greenman Carpentry Co. can be found on https://greenmancarpentry.co.uk/