"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the ornamentation has affinity with the Gothic style, whilst the larger number show traces of the later Renaissance. The most characteristic feature of these buildings is that the storeys are not places perpendicularly one above another, but that each overhangs the one immediately beneath it [shown here]. This overhanging construction gives scope for much external enrichment, and especially for that which forms the perpendicular ornament of these buildings, namely, the carved or fluted brackets which support the walls of the story above, and the spaces between these brackets. The wall space below these is not always fluted or carved, but sometimes covered with a more or less ornamental outer coating of upright or sloping timbers."

Front of a Bay-work House at Halberstadt

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the…

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the ornamentation has affinity with the Gothic style, whilst the larger number show traces of the later Renaissance. The most characteristic feature of these buildings is that the storeys are not places perpendicularly one above another, but that each overhangs the one immediately beneath it. This overhanging construction gives scope for much external enrichment, and especially for that which forms the perpendicular ornament of these buildings, namely, the carved or fluted brackets which support the walls of the story above, and the spaces between these brackets [shown here]. The wall space below these is not always fluted or carved, but sometimes covered with a more or less ornamental outer coating of upright or sloping timbers."

Detail of a Bay-work House at Halberstadt

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the…

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the ornamentation has affinity with the Gothic style, whilst the larger number show traces of the later Renaissance. The most characteristic feature of these buildings is that the storeys are not places perpendicularly one above another, but that each overhangs the one immediately beneath it. This overhanging construction gives scope for much external enrichment, and especially for that which forms the perpendicular ornament of these buildings, namely, the carved or fluted brackets which support the walls of the story above, and the spaces between these brackets [shown here]. The wall space below these is not always fluted or carved, but sometimes covered with a more or less ornamental outer coating of upright or sloping timbers."

Detail of a Bay-work House at Halberstadt

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the…

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the ornamentation has affinity with the Gothic style, whilst the larger number show traces of the later Renaissance. The most characteristic feature of these buildings is that the storeys are not places perpendicularly one above another, but that each overhangs the one immediately beneath it. This overhanging construction gives scope for much external enrichment, and especially for that which forms the perpendicular ornament of these buildings, namely, the carved or fluted brackets which support the walls of the story above, and the spaces between these brackets. The wall space below these is not always fluted or carved, but sometimes covered with a more or less ornamental outer coating of upright or sloping timbers [shown here]."

Portion of a Bay-work House at Halberstadt

"Framed houses are especially numerous in the Harz Mountains in Germany. In the oldest specimens the…

"Although the characteristics of this class of buildings are generally uniform, yet shades of difference occur here or there. These deviations are perceptible in the various countries where wooden houses are met with, and are found even in the different cantons of Switzerland. It would, however, carry us too far to enter more fully into various points of difference. [This image] exhibits a characteristic example of one of these Swiss-cottages or chalets."

Swiss House in the Canton of Berne, Iseltwald

"Although the characteristics of this class of buildings are generally uniform, yet shades of difference…

"The third class of timber buildings which has to be described is the so-called Swiss-Cottage style [shown here]. This class belongs exclusively to the country in contradistinction to the town. It is only lately that its application has been extended to other purposes, as for example, (and in combination with framed half-timbered construction) to railway stations, &c."

Group of Swiss Houses

"The third class of timber buildings which has to be described is the so-called Swiss-Cottage style…

Borgund stave church is a stave church located in Borgund, Lærdal, Norway. It is classified as a triple nave stave church of the so-called Sogn-type. It was probably built in the end of the 12th century, and has not changed structure or had a major reconstruction since that date.The church site shows evidence of a previous building, which can point to an earlier church or perhaps an old pagan temple that had been taken into use as a church. The interior of the church, except for the pulpit and the altarpiece, is mainly free from the post-Reformation decorations seen in most other stave churches. An authentic medieval square-shaped baptismal font made of soapstone is still a part of the interior.Borgund stave church is owned by Fortidsminneforeningen (The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments)."The wood buildings of Norway lay claim to a certain monumental and historical importance, partly because they belong to the oldest class of buildings of this description, and partly owing to the purpose for which they were erected, namely, to serve as churches. The case is different as regards the merit of their artistic construction and beauty of shape, in both of which points the standard attained is not a high one, as shown by [this image]. The details principally show traces of the architectural styles prevalent at the time of their erection, viz., the Romanesque and Byzantine, while the main forms must be considered as the result of a severe climate. The perishable nature of the material employed was also naturally prejudicial to any advanced and regular development of architectural skills. From these causes the whole design assumed a pyramidal shape, whilst the climate necessitated mode of construction which is peculiar to the buildings in question. As a projection against its rigours the structures were surrounded by covered passages ornamented externally with those little arcades which are a distinguishing feature of the Romanesque style, whilst the roofs were necessarily very steep in shape on account of the heavy falls of snow, and were covered with wood shingles, tiles, or slates. The form of construction is rather rough, for the corners are generally formed of rude logs, whilst the walls between merely consist of upright boards jointed to one another. Churches of this description are know in Norway by the name of Fascine Churches. Although the construction is thus artless, yet an effort to enrich the whole by individual details and by employment of painted embellishments is frequently to be noticed. This especially effected by means of arabesque-like carvings on the doorways and gables."

Wood Church at Burgund

Borgund stave church is a stave church located in Borgund, Lærdal, Norway. It is classified as…