‘Siniweln’ (log carpentry). Knowledge surrounding log construction using the sinking model
Traditional craftsmanship in Carinthia, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Vorarlberg, inscribed 2024
In the Alpine region, wall structures encompass various forms of stone masonry as well as block constructions made of softwood. Farmers and woodcutters use the straightest possible, debarked ‘round’ logs of the same diameter to build cattle sheds, mountain huts, and woodsheds. Using a plumb line, semi-circular notches are chiselled out at the corners to create a tight joint, so that water cannot penetrate into the timber lags. This craft technique has been practised by mountain farmers and woodworkers for many generations.
The craft of ‘Rundholz-Blockbau’ (log construction) can be traced back to the High Middle Ages in Austria. It was only possible for humans to settle in the Alpine valleys once they had mastered the technique of block construction. This settlement led to the emergence of the professions of woodcutters and carpenters. Log carpentry is known as ‘siniweln’ (Gröbming, Obertraun), ‘aufminern’ (Gosau), and ‘beniweln’ (Bad Mitterndorf). Today, this practice is widely used for structurally simple buildings (e.g., hay barns, mountain barns, and fodder barns).
A plumb line (a small metal cone attached to a thin cord on the chopping tool) is used for the basic chiselling of the semi-circular notches in the logs, which gives this craft technique its unique character. This distinctive handicraft has several advantages: use of native softwoods as a natural and environmentally friendly construction material, impressive buildings, low construction costs, long service life, simple production in the forest (no sawmills and minimal transport routes required), and profitability for forest farmers, forest enterprises, and Alpine communities. This ecological construction method faces the tough competition of industrial prefabrication and the time-saving Canadian log carpentry technique. In an effort to address this, the ‘Förderaktion Holzbauten für oö Almen’ is an existing programme which aims to promote the safeguarding of wooden buildings for Upper Austrian Alpine pastures.
The younger generation learns about this practice by working together with experts in the Alpine community as well as being taught skills as part of the Austrian Alpine Association's mountain forest projects. The founding of the ‘FOKUS - Forst- und Kultur-Service’ (Forestry and Culture Service) association has also led to the provision of certified training courses to further support the safeguarding of the heritage of forestry architecture.
Contact
Downloads
- Application form (German only) 8 MB (pdf)
- Expertise Pöttler (German only) 526 KB (pdf)
- Expertise Unterberger (German only) 188 KB (pdf)
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© Siegfried Ellmaurer
