ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the choices, in particular, the relationship between the overall scale of a structure and the size and shape of the individual timbers that compose its primary members. To illustrate how the size and shaping of trees relate to structural context, three typical large-scale buildings have been chosen, each representing quite different purposes, socially, aesthetically, and architecturally. If a space is to be spanned by a single beam or roof truss, there is a critical relationship between the usable lengths of available trees and the overall scale of the framing design. Hence, carpentry of light scantling describes a structure whose members are of relatively small cross-sectional dimensions in their ratio to overall length and scale. In relationship to the scale of the roof, with its average base tie of 15 m long, a height of 9.5 m and pitch of ca. 56 degrees, the timber scantlings are exceedingly light.
