Vernacular Buildings and Urban Social Practice: Wood and People in Early Modern Swedish Society

During the early modern era, wooden buildings were the primary housing option for Swedish urban populations, but many have been lost due to fire, demolition, and modernization. This study highlights the significance of wooden houses in forming urban Sweden and Swedish history, emphasizing their role in mass production, relocation, and the realization of ideal town plans. The study compares archaeological remains and preserved buildings and reveals the use of log construction, timber framing, and post and plank buildings across different locations and social strata. Timber-framing was more prevalent than previously thought, contributing to the evolution of the multiple unit structure and providing affordable warm housing.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 14 January 2021
\n Publisher: Archaeopress
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During the early modern era, wooden buildings played a significant role in housing the majority of Swedish urban populations. However, a significant number of these buildings have since been lost due to fires, demolitions, and modernizations. These structures were constructed during periods of urban transformation, often being viewed as rural and posing a fire hazard. Despite these drawbacks, they were valued for their warmth, affordability, and mobility. This study aims to uncover the fundamental role that wooden houses played in shaping urban Sweden and Swedish history.

Wooden buildings were particularly well-suited for mass production and relocation, contributing to the realization of ideal town plans in the transformation of Swedish urban spaces. Early modern wooden houses are now more commonly found as archaeological remains rather than preserved buildings, making it essential to examine and compare these two distinct datasets alongside historical records. The author delves into the usage of log construction, timber framing, and post and plank buildings across central and peripheral locations, encompassing all strata of society. They develop new strategies to create affordable and warm housing, while also documenting changes and continuities in layout patterns. Surprisingly, this study reveals that timber-framing was more prevalent geographically and functionally than previously believed.

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the role of wooden buildings in the formation of urban Sweden and Swedish history. It highlights their suitability for mass production, relocation, and the realization of ideal town plans. It also sheds light on the development of new strategies for affordable warm housing and the evolution of the multiple unit structure. By examining the historical records and archaeological remains of wooden buildings, we can better understand the rich tapestry of urban development in Sweden and its impact on the country's history.

\n Weight: 1194g\n
Dimension: 205 x 289 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781789696776\n \n