It is crucial to preserve old buildings because it is impossible to recreate them. We can make a copy of an old building but we cannot recreate old material. When we leave an old building and let it rot then it will be gone forever. Therefore we need to preserve and restore the old buildings as much as we can. This course gives a step-by-step overview of a restoration project of a wooden veranda where old material has been preserved and conserved as much as possible. Every old building is unique with various damages. This set of films will not teach you how to restore all wooden verandas but it will give you an overview about all the necessary tasks and stages of the work, what materials to use etc – we give you one example of many possibilities. The set of films starts with an overview of the original condition of the building, and how to assess the condition of the constructions. We will also see which parts were replaced, how to restore windows and inside doors. There are films about how to apply a seamed roof and what techniques to use to restore foundation. We also look at how to apply cellulose wool insulation and what interior works are necessary in restoration. Before making the decision to tear an old building down, think twice and knock it down only in case the restoration is impossible.

The course is made of two great parts, both explaining building methods of roofing. Furthermore even the raw building material is something that clearly connects the two, being rye straw in both cases. 

The first 6 modules (Module 1-6) show the works required for the complete replacement of an old trodden straw roofing, a technology which is very rarely used nowadays, but the knowledge of this building methodology is still highly important so to be able to authetically restore a number of monument buildings of vernacular architecture. The structure of this first part is the following: Module 1 depicts the demolishment of the old trodden straw roof, how the old material can be removed from the roof structure gradually. Modules 2-5 then explain how the trodden straw roof is built on the different levels of the roof using more and more platforms till the level of the ridge so that the raw material can reach the place of working. The way of developing the trodden roof is shown in details in these modules from the soaking of the straw and the handing over process of the material through all platforms through the treading down process and adjustments of the straw bundles till the required further aligments like the paddling, the raking of the fibres on the surface and the trimming of the edge lines. Module 6 shows the placement of the weightening poles onto the top of the ridge so to protect the roof structure from stormy weather conditions. 

The second half of the course (Module 7-10) is about the repair works of a thatched roof made of rye-straw. The thatching technology used in the roof in need for repairs was a tied one resulting in a plain surface on the top in contrary to some other traditional solutions with characteristics of a stepped surface. Module 7 shows the removal of the old and damaged parts which do not provide the required protection for the building anymore, while contributing to the further deterioration of the roof. This module also explains a few preparational works for the later repairs like the creation of the fascicles used for the roof and for building the ridge part in later modules. Module 2 shows the common tying of the straw fascicles, filling the holes that remained after the removal of the damaged parts. Finally Module 9 and 10 explains in detail the tying of the ridge composition and the fastening of the fixing rods at the leg of the ridge construction. 

The tile stove not only radiates heat, but is also an impressive detail of the home interior, a real center of attraction. The first tile stoves in Europe were created in the 13th century, and they were built in Lithuanian manors from the 14th century. For a long time, luxuriously decorated tile stoves not only heated the homes of nobles, but were also an important symbol of wealth and status. Today it costs thousands of euros to build a new and good tile stove. However, a greater value is to restore tile stoves that have been around for decades or centuries. It requires a lot of specific knowledge, meticulous and long work, but the house will be decorated with a real interior gem that perfectly performs its heating function. Tile stoves are becoming more and more popular, more precisely - going back to fashion and surviving the second golden age. When restoring or even recreating them, it is important to preserve old traditions, follow the requirements of traditional craft heritage, and nurture the quality of materials and processes, thus ensuring the longevity and beauty of the tile stove.

As stained glass has endured a revival at the end of the 19th Century, its manufacturing process has remained largely unchanged until the present day. Stained-glass restoration uses the same techniques as did 19th Century stained-glass production, but they are completed by specific steps, like researching and surveying. This course focuses on the restoration of the stained-glass windows of the Roman-Catholic church in Târgu-Secuiesc, a complex process, beginning on-site and mainly completed in the workshop.

THE COURSE IN BRIEF In this course you will learn about harvesting birch bark. In the first and last film the use of birch bark for roof covering is shown. The other six films show how the criteria for choosing the right tree and when and how you harvest. ARGUMENT Birch bark have been used as a waterproofing layer under various surface materials. Turf or different kinds of wood was common. With maintenance, the roofing can last for 70-90 years. Since the harvesting is not damaging the tree it is a sustainable building method. Most of the buildings in Sweden were covered with birch bark up until about the 1850-ies and therefore it is an important knowledge in building conservation. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE No previous knowledge is needed. DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT In this course you can watch and learn from eight films in total. The first film is an introduction on how the birch bark is used as a waterproofing layer and the method for laying the sheets of bark and the cover with turf. The roof covering is finished in the last film. Technical solutions in the constructions and laying techniques differ throughout the country. The films in between are from a course in birch bark harvesting in the month of June in Lillhärdal in the north of Sweden. It is the outer layer of the birch bark that is used and that has to be harvested in the sap period, that differs from different regions. The films show the criteria for a good tree to harvest, which part of the stem you should choose and what to avoid. They also show the technique for cutting and how to release the outer layer of the bark. Finally the storage of the bark sheets is shown. During the middle of the 19th century, this material was gradually replaced with other materials as waterproofing layers that could be manufactured more mechanically, such as thin wood shingles and eventually roofing felt. The surface materials were also changed. COURSE DESCRIPTION: HARVESTING BIRCH BARK FOR TRADITIONAL ROOF COVERING 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND HOW TO STUDY After completing the course, you should be able to: - harvest the outer layer of birch bark for sheets that are suitable for roof covering - understand and explain how the sheets are laid on a roof and covered with turf Craft knowledge are sometimes considered as simple or not advanced. Don ́t bother about that. There are always difficult parts in all knowledge and learning. You must do things wrong or less good to learn what is the right and good way. You have to use your senses to hear, smell and for example in this course feel the resistance in the material and be aware of when you have to be more careful when you try to loosen the outer layer of the bark. Make your own discoveries while training. Always try to find the best material, tools and working methods for you.THE COURSE IN BRIEF In this course you will learn about harvesting birch bark. In the first and last film the use of birch bark for roof covering is shown. The other six films show how the criteria for choosing the right tree and when and how you harvest. ARGUMENT Birch bark have been used as a waterproofing layer under various surface materials. Turf or different kinds of wood was common. With maintenance, the roofing can last for 70-90 years. Since the harvesting is not damaging the tree it is a sustainable building method. Most of the buildings in Sweden were covered with birch bark up until about the 1850-ies and therefore it is an important knowledge in building conservation. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE No previous knowledge is needed. DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT In this course you can watch and learn from eight films in total. The first film is an introduction on how the birch bark is used as a waterproofing layer and the method for laying the sheets of bark and the cover with turf. The roof covering is finished in the last film. Technical solutions in the constructions and laying techniques differ throughout the country. The films in between are from a course in birch bark harvesting in the month of June in Lillhärdal in the north of Sweden. It is the outer layer of the birch bark that is used and that has to be harvested in the sap period, that differs from different regions. The films show the criteria for a good tree to harvest, which part of the stem you should choose and what to avoid. They also show the technique for cutting and how to release the outer layer of the bark. Finally the storage of the bark sheets is shown. During the middle of the 19th century, this material was gradually replaced with other materials as waterproofing layers that could be manufactured more mechanically, such as thin wood shingles and eventually roofing felt. The surface materials were also changed. COURSE DESCRIPTION: HARVESTING BIRCH BARK FOR TRADITIONAL ROOF COVERING 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND HOW TO STUDY After completing the course, you should be able to: - harvest the outer layer of birch bark for sheets that are suitable for roof covering - understand and explain how the sheets are laid on a roof and covered with turf Craft knowledge are sometimes considered as simple or not advanced. Don't bother about that. There are always difficult parts in all knowledge and learning. You must do things wrong or less good to learn what is the right and good way. You have to use your senses to hear, smell and for example in this course feel the resistance in the material and be aware of when you have to be more careful when you try to loosen the outer layer of the bark. Make your own discoveries while training. Always try to find the best material, tools and working methods for you.