 F
RENCH SCRIBE
| FRENCH SCRIBE | THE TRAIT DE CHARPENTE
| THE FIVE TRAITS CARRES
| CALCULATING ANGLES | PROCEDURES
| THE REMBAREMENT PROGRAM |
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any methods of timber
framing were developed through the ages. The French Scribe method
was created by the master builders in 11th century France and
perfected throughout the centuries into a system that has proven
its effectiveness. The great halls, cathedrals and other European
buildings of the past 800 years, still standing and in use to
this day, are examples of this. It has proven to be the only
reliable method that would ensure perfect integrity of the project,
its conception, designing, plotting, cutting and assembling
procedures. The results are precision and efficiency.
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T
he Origins of French Scribe
Although evidence of this method of
timber framing has been documented as early as the 11th century,
the guardians of its science and knowledge, known as Les Compagnons,
have institutionalized the trade in France. The original Compagnons
formed an association to pass along knowledge and skills through
teaching and apprenticing, employing traditional methods. The modern
day Association ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir du Tour de
France is highly regarded for its superior training curriculums
and college facilities throughout France.
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Myth has it that a group of French
carpenters and masons, known as Les Compagnons, were organized as
early as 400 BC and participated in the building of the Temple of
Solomon.
The origins of Les Compagnons is steeped
in legend and tells of the disagreement between two master craftsmen,
Maître Jacques and Père Soubise, the former a stone mason and the
latter a master carpenter. Their feuding relationship stemmed from
a dispute over who's trade and knowledge was the finest and most
important. Their stubbornness led to a series of breakups and reconciliations
throughout the ages between the two clans - the masons and the carpenters.
They eventually reconciled, once and for all, and today stand together
as the highest order of the trades.
T
he French Scribe System
Because the French Scribe system was
developed before there were calculators and machinery, it was necessary
for the first Compagnons to perfect a system which would allow 100%
of the calculations to be plotted in the technical drawings. Common
timber framing methods, using trigonometry and computers, although
accurate on paper, do not take into account the shape of each timber.
The French Scribe system acknowledges the uniqueness of each beam
with its twists, cracks and curves. The French Scribe method allows
one to work with any timber, whether perfectly straight and square,
or completely irregular. Given this, it is possible to build
any type of architecture, from traditional to contemporary styles,
towers or octagons, to a basic frame. It also provides for the use
of used or salvaged beams, adding extra character to any design.
The system used today by French traditional
timber framers is based on this same knowledge. It is important
to understand that this method is not dated, but rather, has evolved.
As architecture has changed throughout the centuries, the master
Compagnons have adapted the French Scribe system. The ability to
provide this combination of contemporary knowledge with age-proven
methods makes this a superior system.
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