2 HSW/LU       Food & Beverage will be provided.

This tour is limited to 35 people.

Since 1994, Vicco von Voss has been living and working on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, using locally salvaged trees to produce one-of-a-kind, contemporary furniture designs. 

Born in Kiel, Germany, von Voss was greatly influenced by both his grandfathers—one a forester and woodcarver, the other an architect who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright in post-war Germany. After graduating from Washington College in 1991 with a degree in fine art, von Voss went on to a formal 3-year carpentry apprenticeship in Hamburg, Germany.

This tour will include the Bolz Workshop and Vicco’s on-site residence, both of which are timber framed structures design and built by Vicco von Voss Furniture Design & Timber Framing LLC.  Passionate about this work, Vicco will describe the harvesting and salvage products, as well as review in depth the variety of wood species native to the Eastern Shore and their potential as building materials. 

Sustainable practices within the workshop and the fabrication process will be featured. He believes in the philosophy of “giving a tree a second life” - - - salvaging it, milling it, letting it dry and then bringing it back home.

The discussion will also dive into the critical differences between conventional construction, and the opportunities and benefits available in timber framing. The art of Lofting, and its use in timber framing, will be explained in the larger context of incorporating custom wood fabrications into architectural drawings and specifications.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of specifying wood species for timber framing and custom millwork to accommodate different uses, responsibly source sustainable materials, and utilize material to its full potential.

2. Learn about ecologically beneficial timber harvesting, wood salvage and processing techniques available for timber structures and custom-build wood furniture, and opportunities for LEED points.

3. Explore alternative building envelope assemblies including use of timber, air gaps, reflective insulation and foil technology, and the thermal, acoustic and radio-frequency blocking benefits.

4. Discuss the challenges and benefits of Lofting- the art of drawing in the field for design of natural timber elements and structural attachments.

HSW Justification:

Health: This program will discuss strategies for designing and building with sustainable, locally sourced materials, with high thermal performance and minimal use of solvent-based and VOC products. The program will cover the added benefits of blocking radio frequencies and health benefits of natural wood materials.

Safety: The benefits of timber buildings will be explained in contrast to the potential dangers of conventional stud framed assemblies, such as off-gassing, trapped moisture and poor acoustic performance. Air quality within the home will be discussed as a key component to the occupant’s wellbeing and long-term health.

Welfare: The presentation and tour will demonstrate to attendees how millwork and structural components can be sourced, processed, and fabricated with a minimal carbon footprint and positive environmental impact. The workshop tour will include use of scrap material to heat the space, low energy air-drying process and the overall emphasis of the human-nature connection possible with natural wood elements.

Location:

Vicco Von Voss Bolz Workshop & Home

145 Island Creek Road

Centreville, MD 21617 

(located on the eastern shore, please be sure to allow enough time for traffic on the Bay Bridge. Carpooling is recommended.)