“America is built on light wood framing. It is the most common construction method for the most common building type in the US. This video explores how and why light wood framing came to become such an American standard. By comparing it to the rise of the hamburger, we trace the parallels of convenience and ubiquity that hamburgers and wood framing share. The video also explores an exhibition called ‘American Framing’ at Wrightwood 659 to see models and 2x4 constructions up close and personal.”
Essential Craftsman recently posted a video on the merits of stick based construction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU8xsjhMVz4 While it lacks a hamburger analogy I think the point it makes about different building methods being more or less appropriate for the environment where a structure is built is worthwhile to consider.
oh yeah, I forgot I watched about half of that video last week. He is really thoroughly knowledgeable and I enjoy his videos a lot, but it felt like a bit of a litany of arguments which is why I quit watching. However, the seismic argument is huge to me. Saying ‘Masonry houses can kill you here’ is a pretty strong argument in my book, especially when dealing with the realities of economics and what’s actually affordable/what’s cheapest.