Scan Magazine | Special Theme | The Best of Norwegian Leisure Homes
The quintessential log cabin maker When imagining a quintessential cabin, images of cosy log cabins burrowed in picturesque winter landscapes are sure to come to mind. Where better to find one of the best timber cabin builders than in the forested and mountainous valleys of Valdres, a region in the heart of southern Norway? By Maria Lanza Knudsen | Photos: G. Thue Håndlafting og Sagbruk
With access to quality wood in beautiful natural surroundings, it is no wonder G. Thue Håndlafting og Sagbruk, a timber and sawmill company, is outstanding in timberwork and carpentry. G. Thue has produced log cabins, houses and other buildings for over 30 years, since Gunnar Thue established the company in 1983. Its head office and production facility is located at Heggenes, in Valdres, and has a display cabin at Norsk Hyttesenter, a cabin exhibition centre, near Lillestrøm. Today, with its ten employees and a network of sub-contractors, G. Thue delivers projects across Norway.
A building technique in renaissance Lafte, as it is called in Norwegian, is a building technique where a carpentry 68 | Issue 83 | December 2015
turers, and we abide by all of the Norsk Laft quality control standards.” All Norsk Laft standard projects are inspected after completion and G. Thue has received central approval from the Norwegian Building Authority.
joint is formed by two crossed structural timbers, each of which has a notch at the place where they cross. This technique is over a thousand years old and part of the Norwegian cultural heritage. It has, in the past few years, experienced a renaissance.
Timber buildings do have a certain sense of soul with their monumental exterior and harmonious interaction with the natural surroundings. For G. Thue, it is important to create a space of wellbeing in both the interior and the exterior of the building.
The construction styles, decoration and actual use have of course changed over the years. As a result of its recent popularity, new techniques continue to be developed to adapt to the needs of today. Over time, it is said that over 400 different lafte techniques have been developed across Norway. “At G. Thue, we use a technique called ‘Ekkoff laft’,” Gunnar Thue, the owner, explains. “We are a founding member of Norsk Laft, the industry association for timber manufac-
Delivering tailor-made buildings With their expertise in various types of traditional timberwork, including the carpentry techniques of cogging and notching, G. Thue has built up an impressive portfolio of constructed log cabins, homes and other wooden buildings. From dog houses to cabins and residential houses, the end results represent a range of structurally stable buildings with unique woodwork characteristics and functions. Most constructed build-