This study day, organised by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (IRPA-KIK), the University of Namur, the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Royal Museums for Art and History (MRAH-KMKG), is part of the series of scientific meetings started by the research group AcanthuM (University of Namur) on the theme of construction finishings and fittings. The present meeting will focus on joinery elements in architecture from the Middle Ages and modern period that contribute to the organization of the interior workings of a building and division of space through the layout of doorways and window openings, as well as playing a part in the interior decoration.

Argument

This study day, organised by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (IRPA-KIK), the University of Namur, the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Royal Museums for Art and History (MRAH-KMKG), is part of the series of scientific meetings started by the research group AcanthuM (University of Namur) on the theme of construction finishings and fittings. The present meeting will focus on joinery elements in architecture from the Middle Ages and modern period that contribute to the organization of the interior workings of a building and division of space through the layout of doorways and window openings, as well as playing a part in the interior decoration. Wooden floors and ceilings, shutters and frames, doors and panelling will be the subject of an interdisciplinary session combining archaeology, art history, the history of techniques and engineering, economic, social and environmental history and archaeometry.

With the study of historical buildings’ joinery elements as a starting point, this study day aims to stimulate a wider reflection on the evolution of architecture or on the life of interior spaces in relation to the functions and challenges that are assigned to them, depending on the period or on technical, social or economic stimuli, etc.

The material and technical challenges inferred from the conception of these ‘building joineries’ will be considered by examining the supply strategies of the construction site and the evolution of the traditional techniques applied. The choice of wood types and knowledge of their mechanical and aesthetic qualities seems fundamental to this approach, as is the art of engineering, inextricable from the conception of structures such as wooden floors, ceilings or other elements used to divide space.

We will also take into consideration the statutes and working practices of the different métiers in a given historical context. The division of work between the carpenter and the joiner will be reassessed, according to region and period, by comparing known documents with archaeological analysis, set in a broader epistemological perspective free of the sometimes disputable categories of “structure” and “finishings and fittings” of a building.

The study day will finally be an occasion to take stock of the – all too rare – studies dedicated to joinery in architecture by underlining major recent methodological progress on an international scale, by reassessing the traditional typologies and by giving special attention to archaeological studies, enriched by the methodological progress in archaeometry and, notably, dendrochronology.

Submission guidelines

Abstracts :

• Deadline : 20th April 2013

• Length : 450 words

Call for papers : carpentrytojoinery.abstracts@gmail.com

Acceptance for abstracts : 20th May 2013

• Language : English (French/Dutch possible if necessary)
• Date : 29th November 2013
• Location : IRPA-KIK (Parc du Cinquantenaire 1 – 1000 Brussels)
• 12 presentations of 20 min.

Organising committee

• Sarah Crémer, Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (IRPA-KIK)
• Pascale Fraiture (IRPA-KIK)
• Patrice Gautier, Royal Museums of Art and History (MRAH)
• Mathieu Piavaux, University of Namur (UNamur)
• Philippe Sosnowska, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
• Michel de Waha (ULB)

Scientific committe

• Anna Bergmans, University of Gent
• Sarah Crémer (IRPA-KIK)
• Pascale Fraiture (IRPA-KIK)
• Patrice Gautier (MRAH)
• Patrick Hoffsummer, University of Liège
• Charles Indekeu, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
• Isabelle Parmentier (UNamur)
• Mathieu Piavaux (UNamur)
• Philippe Sosnowska (ULB)