Architectural Timber Joinery – What is it?

Is it simply a specialised aspect of carpentry and joinery or is it something more? The key to understanding and appreciating what a prestige joinery company would call architectural timber joinery lies in the first word of the phrase: ‘architectural.’

Throughout history, an architect’s job has been to go beyond what has been done before and design what might better be called functional works of art than buildings. To this end, they call on the skills of master craftsmen to turn their visions into reality. When an architect envisions an exposed timber construction or fine timber detailing, they call on an architectural timber joinery company like Allkind Joinery in Brisbane, Queensland.

What is the Difference between Ordinary Joinery and Architectural Timber Joinery?

There are hundreds, if not thousands of joineries in Australia. The bread and butter of most of them is a standard product made to standard dimensions to fit into a standard construction. Some are better than others, but very few of them are able to meet an architect’s exacting demands for custom work using fine Australian or exotic timbers. Of those few, even fewer can do so cost-effectively. How do those very few do it?

Fine architectural timber joinery begins with a plan. A master cabinet maker has years of experience working in conjunction with an architect or designer to bring complex plans to fruition. In the past, this involved long hours of consultation followed by the painstaking construction of working templates. Finally, the construction process could begin, but this, too, was a slow and laborious process, since fine craftsmanship requires equally fine attention to detail.

All the skills of master carpenters and cabinet makers are still required today: without them, the craftsman will not have an aesthetic appreciation for what the architect or discerning client is trying to achieve or the technical skills to accomplish the task. However, today’s craftsman requires another skill: the ability to work with modern computers and equipment, some of which may be automated or semi-automated. This combination of old world craftsmanship with new world technology distinguishes an ordinary joinery from the modern architectural timber joinery.

The Role of Automation in the Modern Architectural Timber Joinery

Modern technology is the key to producing fine timber products cost-effectively. Using CAD programs, the cabinet maker in charge of the project can communicate with the architect and/or client and modifications, if necessary, can be made quickly and easily, eliminating the need for time wasting and costly meetings. When the plans are finalised, a cutting list can be generated in minutes instead of hours and, if the factory has a computerised panel saw, overhead router or other automated equipment, many of the hundreds of parts that go into a complex construction can be cut and shaped to exact specifications in a fraction of the time it would take a team of cabinet makers to carry out the tasks.

The Role of the Craftsman in the Modern Architectural Timber Joinery

When it comes to constructing, sanding, polishing and fitting a fine example of architectural carpentry or cabinet making, there is nothing that can replace the seasoned hand and eye of a master craftsman. This is why, when you look at the list of team members in a prestige joinery company, they will all be experts at what they do. 

Of course, not every project is commissioned by an architect or architect’s client. In fact, many of a long-established company’s new clients are referrals from earlier satisfied clients. They may come in with a hand drawn sketch, a photograph or even just a dream. This is not a problem for an establishment like Brisbane’s Allkind Joinery, whose company directors and their hand-picked team have decades of experience in carpentry and cabinet making behind them. Find a company like this and you will learn firsthand what architectural timber joinery is and appreciate the difference.

Please call us toll free on 1800 757 949 with any questions you may have on timber joinery products, our friendly staff are always happy to help with any advice you need.

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