Pärandtehnoloogilised puitõhikud 21. sajandi Eesti arhitektuuris. Kimmid, sindlid ja laastud

Abstract

The article discusses the use of shakes and shingles as heritage craft roof coverings in 21st-century architecture. In modern architecture heritage is mainly used in two ways: 1) by adhering to formal and proportional role models (for example barn-dwelling-type buildings); and 2) by using heritage craft materials in buildings that use modern architectural language. The article focuses on the second case, specifically on the use of surfaces covered with shakes and shingles in modern architecture. The study included 17 buildings and projects that combine modern architectural language and traditional roofing material and were built between 2003 and 2023.

To collect the data, architects, owners, and one master craftsperson were interviewed. The aim was to find out why they had chosen this particular material as roof covering, what specific types of shake or shingle were used, how they were processed, and in which parts of the building they were used. In addition, how such a choice of materials affected the user experience was of interest.

The data shows that the use of shakes and shingles in modern architecture is still in the early stages in Estonia and is mainly limited to smaller buildings such as private houses and outbuildings. The main reasons for this limited spread are supply problems, high cost, and installation problems. Despite the complexities, the use of shakes and shingles in architecture is promising as it combines modern design and traditional construction skills. It is also one way to keep the heritage craft skills related to the material alive. One possible future direction is the use of shakes and shingles primarily as wall cladding, which is not as demanding as the traditional use as roofing material. Although the use of shakes and shingles in modern architecture is still in the process of formation, it plays an important role in the preservation of heritage crafts and in the diversification of the modern architectural landscape.

Keywords: wooden roofs, wood architecture, heritage craft, 21st-century architecture, shingle, shake, shingle roof