NORWEGIAN WOOD
Scandinavian Log Building and 'grindbygg' frames
Norwegian Wood is a sustainable building company with a focus on learning. Our ethos is based on the principles of popular education, sustainability, accessibility and physical and mental health. Set up in 2022, our mission is to bridge vernacular building cultures between Norway and the UK. Our courses emphasise pedagogy before production, enabling us to train people from diverse backgrounds and experience levels in a safe and supportive environment.
"Being shown how to use a tool properly makes a huge difference to feeling empowered. I couldn't learn this from a book. I feel I can build a cabin now. I might be 70 before I finish the thing, but hopefully I’ll get a good 10 years enjoyment out of it after that!" Christina, 64, London
"I can use what I've learnt on this course to build my own cabin. I want to get into carpentry as a full time job and this is good addition to my skillset. It is also a potential intro to a specialty in the future."
Rolando, 25, Machynlleth
"I have been a carpenter, joiner and timber framer for 35 years and I got so much out of this course! You never stop learning. Richard's attention to detail and mastery of axe skills makes it easy to pick up from him. Great week, great laugh, great skills. I'd recommend this course to everyone"
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Dominic Brady, Director, The Woodcraft Project
ABOUT US
Natural building, Norway style...
Norwegian Wood is a sustainable building company with a focus on learning. Our ethos is based on the principles of popular education, sustainability, accessibility and physical and mental health. Set up by Richard Andersen in 2022, our mission is to bridge vernacular building cultures between Norway and the UK. Our courses emphasise pedagogy before production, enabling us to train people from diverse backgrounds and experience levels in a safe and supportive environment.
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We currently teach log building and the 'grindbygg' style of timber framing.
Log building is a system whereby horisontal logs are stacked on top of each other scribed along their length and notched in the corners using a saddle noch, or as we like to refer to it, the 'glorified half-lap'. We teach both wall- and roof construction.
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Grindbygg (literal translation: frame building) is an acient Norwegian style of timber framing. It is a much simpler system than standard British timber framing. It is developed by and for farmers on the windswept west coast of Norway, and is an incredibly fast structure to erect. These buildings were traditionally used for barns and outhouses. In the UK they are becoming increasingly popular as outdoor kitchens and event spaces on land based community projects.
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Richard currently divides his time between the UK and Norway, learning and teaching in both countries and commuting between them by sail and trading in reindeer furs. We are always looking for more land based projects to partner with and build for, so please don't hesitate to get in touch with us with any questions or comments you may have.
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Looking forward to hearing from you!
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Love and logs,
Richard Andersen & Norwegian Wood