2010 Western Conference

24th Annual Western Conference

Join us for our annual gathering in the West. Separate tracks during the main Conference are augmented by four pre-Conference Workshops on Thursday, April 22nd, numerous special events, great food and a spectacular locale. This year, as our featured presenters, we have a very special guest coming all the way from China and also one of the leading authorities on Native American wooden architecture.

Presentations and demonstrations by timber framers from China to Europe will highlight our fun, plus a Joint Busting Contest, Axe Throwing, Children's workshop and much more. JUST ADDED TO OUR PROGRAM: Barr Quarton from Barr Specialty Tools will be making tools on his forge, including drift pins for scribing. ALSO: Higgs Murphy will demonstrate hewing and adzing and other techniques for converting round logs into timber.

Pre-Conference Workshops

Pre-Conference workshops include:

• Restoration Techniques and Practices, with Rick Collins
• Making a Ching Dynasty Dou Gong Bracket Set, with Ma Bing-jian
• Business Boot Camp, sponsored by the Timber Frame Business Council (TFBC)
• Timber Frame Joinery & Shop Drawings with Google SketchUp®, with Clark Bremer
• Plaster Clay Workshop

Featured Presenter: Ma Bing-jian

Our featured presenters include Ma Bing-jian from Beijing, China, who will show us the main characteristics of Chinese timber framing and demonstrate the building and use of Dou Gong bracket sets (see a miniature version in photo) in both a Pre-Conference workshop and a breakout session during the Main Event.

Born in 1947, Mr. Ma is a senior engineer, a registered architect, and a renowned expert in traditional Chinese architecture. Following graduation from high school in 1965, he worked as a carpenter for eight years for the nationally known Traditional Architecture Construction and Restoration Company. In 1974 he began a four-year stint with the Beijing Municipal Housing Affairs Office. Upon returning to his previous employer, he participated in rebuilding Tiananmen Gate, as well as major renovation work at the New Years Hall at Tiantan, and projects at Beihai Park, Zhongnanhai Park, and other Imperial gardens and parks.

In 1984 the Beijing City Government asked Mr. Ma to travel to Washington, D.C., for a preliminary site visit to prepare for construction of a Pailou (a unique Chinese large ceremonial gateway) in Chinatown. Back in Beijing, he spent parts of the next two years on design work, and in 1986 returned to D.C. to oversee construction of this gateway. In 1980 Mr. Ma immersed himself in research and study of the techniques of traditional Chinese architecture and timber construction. In 1983 he and his colleague Tong Ren launched a magazine Traditional Chinese Architecture and Gardens. Mr. Ma has also written The Building Technology of the Timberwork of the Ancient Building in China (Beijing Science Press, 1991) and The Architecture of the Quadrangle in Beijing (Tianjin University Press, 1999).

In 1985 Mr. Ma initiated a university program specializing in traditional architecture and engineering, and he also accepted a teaching position. Since 1990, Mr. Ma has focused on designing and engineering traditional projects. Up to now, he has completed designs for about 100 projects. These include designs for the Beijing Hotel in Moscow and the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddha Cemetery in Beijing; renovation design for Nanshan Temple, Shandong; design for Chinatown in Macau; and renovation plans for the Temple of Past Emperors in Beijing.

Mr. Ma is currently Director of the Beijing Traditional Chinese Architectural Design and Research Institute and Vice Editor-in-Chief of the editorial committee of the journal Traditional Chinese Architecture and Gardens. He is also an academic member of the History of Architecture section of the Society of Chinese Architecture; as well as Director of the Forbidden City Society; Vice-Chairman of the Society of Vernacular Architecture; lead member of experts committee on Customs and Decoration of Chinese vernacular Architecture; and member of the standing committee for traditional architecture and landscape of the Society of Chinese Cultural Relics. Mr. Ma is concurrently professor of the Beijing Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

Featured Speaker: Johnpaul Jones

Our other featured presenter is Johnpaul Jones, FAIA, from Seattle, who has a distinguished 40-year career as an architect and founding partner of Jones & Jones. Earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1967, he notes that his design philosophy emerged from his Cherokee-Choctaw ancestors, which connect him to the natural world, animal world, spirit world, and human world.

Mr. Jones' designs have won widespread acclaim for their reverence for the earth, for paying deep respect to regional architectural traditions and native landscapes, and for heightening understanding of indigenous people and cultures of America. He has led the design of numerous cultural community centers and museums with tribes spanning the North American continent, including his 12-year engagement as overall lead design consultant for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

A Fellow in the American Institute of Architects, Mr. Jones has won a stream of local and national awards for his designs. In 2006, he received the AIA Seattle Medal, conferred by the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He was also the recipient of the 2006 Executive Excellence Award from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). In 2005, Mr. Jones received the University of Oregon Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater for "not just designing buildings, but creating places that incorporate both the practical and the spiritual, and for heightening human sensitivity to cultural and environmental issues."

Details on all of our presentations can be found in the Conference links.

Our Venue

The Coeur d'Alene Resort opened in 1986 on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene to international acclaim. Rising 18 stories high at water's edge, the distinctive towers are designed by architect R.G. Nelson, capped by steep copper roofs and copper-peaked belfries.

The Coeur d'Alene Resort brings five-star luxury to the edge of one of America's most beautiful lakefront communities. With a Gold Medal golf course, a European spa and six restaurants to choose from, the Resort is the perfect place to get away from the world. And when you feel like stepping out, the Resort is right in the heart of downtown Coeur d'Alene's thriving shopping and outdoor recreation.

The Resort offers lakefront and lakeview rooms and suites, designed from the ground up with guest comfort in mind. Each room features sound proofing, individual ventilation units, elevated beds, sofas, spacious bathrooms, oversized TVs, CD players, high-speed Internet access and reading chairs. All maximize the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains, while providing guests with an upscale residential atmosphere. See the Web site for a detailed explanation of room types.

Conference & Travel Arrangements

Room reservations: Lodging is not included in your conference fee and must be booked with the hotel directly. Call the hotel at 800-688-5253 and mention the Timber Framers Guild to get our special rates. Room rates vary by accommodation level:

• Traditional $129 single or double occupancy
• Deluxe $149 single or double occupancy
• Premier $179 single or double occupancy

To the above rates, add state and lodging tax of 8% and surcharge of 5%.

Travel Arrangements: Coeur d'Alene is located in northern Idaho approximately 31 miles east of Spokane, Washington and 100 miles south of the Canadian border along Interstate 90. The Resort overlooks Lake Coeur d'Alene flanked by the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains. The Coeur d'Alene Resort is served by the Spokane International Airport with daily, non-stop, national and international flights with most major airlines. A 45-minute shuttle ride ($59 round trip) puts you at the resort. Make arrangements with their reservations department (800-688-5253) with 24 hours' notice.

Timber Framers Guild member Collin Beggs lives in North Idaho and sends along his amusing guide to the area. You may download it here.

If you want share a ride or a room at Coeur d'Alene (you have a room and want to share the cost, or you don't have a room and want to share one), please let us know.

Education Credits

Continuing Education Units for architects and engineers are available for many of the seminars. Contact our office for details.