Norwegian Wood

Jerri Holan, Rizzoli, 1990, New York, NY

A Tradition of Building

Using archival and contemporary photographs, plans, and drawings, Jerri Holan wrote this book as a result of postgraduate Fulbright and American-Scandinavian grants. The book explores the vernacular form of a unique “wood” culture:  Norway’s buildings reflect how life is lived in an agrarian country in which forests are abundant and climatic conditions are harsh. From Medieval stave churches to eighteenth-century farmhouses, Norway’s traditional buildings represent a small but rich manifestation of the art and craft of wooden architecture.

The book elevated the study of vernacular building within the context of European wooden and stone traditions. It is the only English-language publication about the important Norwegian traditions that heavily influenced wooden construction techniques in Europe and America for hundreds of years. Kenneth Frampton called the book,
“A beautifully-illustrated study of Norwegian vernacular.”