Timber framing — restoring structure while preserving history

History — Parisian timber framing

Timber framing has ancient constructive roots going back to antiquity. Widely used across European towns for economic and technical reasons, it was nevertheless highly vulnerable to fire.

From the early 17th century, under Henry IV, that vulnerability became a public concern. In a dense urban fabric of narrow streets and frequent minor fires, the 1607 edict began to restrict timber-framed construction in new buildings.

After the Great Fire of London, fear of fire spread across Europe and strongly influenced Louis XIV, who ordered that exposed wooden structures in Paris be progressively covered with plaster—a material valued for its fire resistance. Facades were coated in plaster, gradually transforming the city’s appearance as timber disappeared behind a protective white skin.

The original timber structures remain present beneath these finishes and reappear when facades are reworked, revealing the palimpsest of the city’s successive transformations.

Our method

Our intervention starts with a careful reading of the existing structure. Wood quality is assessed to identify weakened areas, while joints and connections are examined precisely to evaluate their strength and effectiveness. This diagnostic allows us to tailor each intervention, preserving as much sound material as possible and reinforcing or replacing only what is necessary.

For weakened load-bearing members, timber elements are cleaned and consolidated with resin, strengthening the existing material without full replacement. Non‑structural but degraded pieces are renewed to restore a coherent reading of the facade. Finally, the facade is finished with a vapor‑permeable lime‑based plaster chosen for its ability to protect the wood while allowing moisture to escape naturally. This approach preserves the building’s historic character while ensuring longevity.

Particular attention is paid to joints, which are essential to overall stability. When compromised, they are reinforced with coach screws to effectively tie timber elements together. This work requires precise fitting: parts must bear cleanly on one another to ensure correct load transfer. These reinforcements consolidate the structure while retaining as much original material as possible.

The structure regains coherence through a dialogue between contemporary interventions and constructive memory; the project thus reveals a facade both restored and inhabited by its history.

The Blondel project perfectly illustrates our approach: reconciling respect for heritage with contemporary requirements to deliver a thorough, technical restoration. On that facade, the structural diagnosis revealed a condition far more degraded than anticipated. Every frame element was carefully inspected; the most affected pieces were replaced like‑for‑like in oak using traditional techniques to guarantee the building’s stability and longevity.