Hanke Holztechnik & Hanke Bauforschung Portfolio of Selected Works, 1992-2016
A Note on the Portfolio:
The following chronologically arranged diagrams, texts and photographs are representative of my professional and
academic work that commenced when I undertook an apprenticeship in a joiner’s workshop. This stint, which has
happened more than 20 years ago and which lasted three years, was followed by studies at academic institutions in
Germany, Ireland and the UK, earning me a bachelor degree in Architecture from the Fachhochschule Oldenburg, as
well as postgraduate degrees in Conservation Studies and Architectural History from the University of Bamberg and
the University of Edinburgh. Since then I have been building up a body of work that, I believe, is characterised by a
profound analytical focus. It tries to marry the world of the practitioner with that of the scientist, alternating
between the drawing office, the building site, the library and the archive.
Holztechnik (Timber Technology) and Bauforschung (Building Archaeology) thus represent the two poles that define
most of my professional work during the past two decades. It is concerned with the development and application of
sophisticated spatial and technical solutions for ‘everyday’ design problems, and, on the other hand, an
archaeological approach that tries to pin down the personality and value of spatial and structural objects, be it the
fabric of extant buildings, fitments, settlements or landscapes. Background to my deep interest in the archaeology of
items is my firm belief that good architecture always has to enter into a dialog with its surrounding, thus it follows
that any designer is required to possess a sound knowledge of the quantities and qualities of space and objects.
Archaeological data-gathering helps to achieve that premise.
All of the depicted furniture was constructed in a workshop that was founded by my father some 40 years ago, and
that is being managed by me since 2009. Some of the architectural projects emerged in the context of academic
studies, others were commissioned by either private clients or architectural firms both in Germany and the UK. Most
of the academic writing was done for Kirkdale Archaeology, an Edinburgh-based archaeological firm, with which I
cooperate since 2006.
Art Gallery in Dublin, 1992 Project at the Dublin Institute of Technology, February 1992
Laubenhaus Zulawki, Polen, 1995 Laubenhaus Zulawki. Survey, historical analysis and assessment of the physical condition of a farmstead in the North of Poland, 1995
Laubenhaus Zulawki
A project on the history and evolution of a farmstead in the North of Poland
Laubenhaus Zulawki, Polen, 1995 Laubenhaus Zulawki. Survey, historical analysis and assessment of the physical condition of a farmstead in the North of Poland, 1995
Zulawki (1995)
Plan of village, scale 1:5000
Pre-1803 Pre-1945 Post-1945
Condition of house and barn pre-1945, View from North
Laubenhaus Zulawki, Polen, 1995 Laubenhaus Zulawki. Survey, historical analysis and assessment of the physical condition of a farmstead in the North of Poland, 1995
Laubenhaus Zulawki (1995)
Plan of ground floor and first floor, section, isometry, scale 1:20
Timber stair, 1997 Design and detailing by Thorsten Hanke. Making by Thorsten Hanke in collaboration with Heinrich Hanke
Analysis of a medieval church in Hohen Pritz, 1998 Dorfkirche Hohen-Pritz. Survey, historical analysis and assessment of the physical condition in collaboration with T. Herzog and C. Weber
Showroom and workshop for a motorbike and car-retailer, 1998 Autohaus Lubzyk. Feasibility study and detailed proposal
Stair at Hövenstraße 17, 33818 Leopoldshöhe, 1998 Design and making by Thorsten Hanke and Heinrich Hanke, beechwood, 14 steps, 21,8 x 24,4 cm
Conservation scheme for a listed monument, 2001 Tropfhaus Sassanfahrt. Conservation scheme for the existing dwelling house and design of an adjacent structure
Die bauhistorische Bedeutung der Sassanfahrter Tropfhäuser
Die ca. 20 km südlich von Bamberg gelegene oberfränkische Gemeinde Sassanfahrt wird
kommunalpolitisch vom Markt Hirschaid verwaltet. Sie bildet eine eigenständige
Dorfstruktur, die in vier Entwicklungsphasen im Verlauf der vergangenen 250 Jahre
entstand.
Als wesentlich für die Ortsentwicklung erwies sich die Peuplierungspolitik des Grafen Julius
v. Soden (1754-1831), durch die sich die Anzahl der Sassanfahrter Haushalte in den Jahren
zwischen 1784 und 1808 nahezu verzehnfachte.
Julius v. Soden erwarb das Rittergut Sassanfahrt 1784 und übte dort als Vertreter der
‚gutsadeligen Mittelschicht’ die Dorf- und Gemeindeherrschaft aus. Der Ort bestand zu
diesem Zeitpunkt aus „(...) zwei Hausstellen ohne landwirtschaftliche Erwerbsquellen“. Die
Peuplierungspolitik, die faktisch zur wahllosen und massenhaften Ansiedlung kaum
existenzfähiger Familien führte, wurde von Julius v. Soden philantropisch begründet. „Dem
Dürftigen, Heimathlosen, wollte er eine friedliche Hütte, Spielraum für seinen Fleiß
verschaffen, und ihn aus einem schädlichen Gliede der Gesellschaft zum arbeitsamen,
nützlichen Staatsbürger umwandeln“.
Als Standardbehausung der Sassanfahrter Neuansiedler ließ v. Soden zwischen 1791 und
1808 insgesamt 94 sogenannte Tropfhäuser errichten. Der Begriff ‚Tropfhaus’ spielt hierbei
auf die Grundstücksgröße an. Dessen Aussengrenzen wurden durch den vom Dach
hinabfallenden Wassertropfen definiert, die Tropfhäuser waren also mit keinerlei
landwirtschaftlich nutzbarem Grundbesitz ausgestattet. Es handelte sich bei diesen äußerst
bescheidenen Gebäuden um einstöckige, nicht unterkellerte, Anlagen von ca. 35 bis 50 m²
Grundfläche, auf denen sich im Parterre zwei oder drei Stuben und unter dem Dach eine
Kammer befand. Diese Gebäude waren zum Teil mit zwei oder mehr Familien belegt.
Als einzig unverändert erhalten verbliebenes Sassanfahrter Tropfhaus liegt der Denkmalwert
des Gebäudes Pfarrer-Hopfenmüller-Str. 7 in dessen Bedeutung als Dokument einer
wichtigen Phase der Ortsgeschichte und in seiner volkskundlichen Bedeutung als Beispiel für
die Lebensverhältnisse der Korbmacher, Maurer, Witwen, Glaser, Tagelöhner,
Eisenbahnwärter, Korbhändler, Musikanten und Zinnlöter, die im frühen 19. Jahrhundert
einen Großteil der Einwohnerschaft Sassanfahrts ausmachten.
Conservation scheme for a listed monument, 2001 Tropfhaus Sassanfahrt. Conservation scheme for the existing dwelling house and design of an adjacent structure
Sassanfahrt – Ortsentwicklung (Kartierung C. Reichert)
Sassanfahrt – Besitzgrößen (Kartierung C. Reichert)
Conservation scheme for a listed monument, 2001 Tropfhaus Sassanfahrt. Conservation scheme for the existing dwelling house and design of an adjacent structure
Tropfhaus Pfarrer-Hopfenmüller-Str. 7
Das Gebäude ist seit ca. 10 Jahren unbewohnt. Bedingt durch mangelnde Instandhaltung ist
die Bausubstanz in Teilbereichen derartig geschädigt, dass eine Einsturzgefährdung vorliegt.
Als wesentliche Schadensursache hat eindringende Niederschlagsfeuchtigkeit im nördlichen
Traufbereich zum Verlust von Fußpfette, Sparrenfüßen und Dachdeckung geführt. Als
unmittelbare Folge wurde die Aussenwand massiv durchfeuchtet und Frostschäden und
Salzbelastung führten zu zahlreichen, z.T. zentimeterbreiten Rissen. Das
Standsicherheitsproblem wird durch die mangelhafte Gebäudeaussteifung verschärft, da
das Gebäude nur von einer Innenwand ausgesteift wird, und da auch bei der
Holzbalkendecke nicht von einer Scheibe im statischen Sinn gesprochen werden kann.
Die vorgeschlagenen Sanierungsmaßnahmen haben daher die Sicherung des aktuellen
Zustandes zum Ziel. Da der Denkmalwert des Gebäudes sowohl in dessen unveränderter
Struktur wie auch in dessen ‚Armseligkeit’ liegt, verbietet sich ausdrücklich eine
Komfortsteigerung und die Maßnahmen werden im Sinne einer Gebäudekonservierung
durchgeführt. Es bietet sich für das Gebäude insofern eine museale Nutzung an, wobei das
Tropfhaus in seiner Raumstruktur nicht verändert wird. Die notwendigen Zusatzräume
(Heizung, Elektro, WC, Büro) werden in einem Nebengebäude untergebracht, das südlich
des Tropfhauses anstelle des bestehenden Schuppens errichtet wird.
Conservation scheme for a listed monument, 2001 Tropfhaus Sassanfahrt. Conservation scheme for the existing dwelling house and design of an adjacent structure
Gratzenhäusel Ratschings, 2002 Survey, historical analysis and photo-documentation
‘Gratzenhäusel’ Ratschings (Northern Italy, C16)
Fig. 1: S-Elevation
Fig. 2: View from SW
Fig. 3: Plan of Ground Floor with localisation of significant findings
The Development of Roof Carpentry in South East Scotland until 1647, 2005 MPhil Thesis, University of Edinburgh
A large number of historic roofs in both Continental North West Europe
and England have been subjected to historical, technical and
dendrochronological research. Knowledge on Scottish early roof carpentry,
by contrast, relies on few individual studies mainly of the most flamboyant
of Scotland’s extant historic roofs. This focus on a small number of
outstanding examples has conveyed a distorted picture of early Scottish
roof carpentry. Scotland indeed has only recently understood the
particular nature of Scottish rafter single roofs (Ruddock, 1995), and
hitherto has failed to acknowledge their actual ubiquity.
Drawing on English, French, German, Dutch, and Italian literature as well as
on extensive fieldwork, this thesis shows that pre-1647 Scotland
developed a roof carpentry distinctively different from that of
contemporary North West Europe. It argues that this native style reflects
the individuality of Scotland’s historic architecture and is responding in a
logical way to the structural problems posed by this buildings. This thesis
not only offers a view on the highlights of Scottish roof carpentry, but also
discusses relatively humble features. Rather than delving into isolated case
studies, it draws a comprehensive picture depicting the general
development of roof carpentry in feudal Scotland up to 1647. The study is
divided into four parts. The first of these describes and analyses the
prevalent currents of medieval roof carpentry in Scotland, England and
Continental North West Europe. This sketch is followed by a discussion of
the structural problems Scotland’s wrights had to solve, as well as by a
consideration of the cultural issues of the time. The study further analyses
the availability of material and knowledge, and discusses how this has
effected the development of Scotland’s roof architecture. A systematically
compiled catalogue finally lists all features belonging to the period under
consideration and provides a framework for further research.
Design of a one-family dwelling in Leopoldshöhe, 2005 Layout and structural details
Fig. 1 Grundstück
Fig. 2 Beziehung von Wohnraum und Garten
Fig. 3 Energetisches Konzept
Design and making of a bookshelf, 2006 Plywood, 3 x 0,8 cm; 1 x 0,8 cm; red
Contributions to Archaeological Research at Stirling Palace, Scotland, 2007-2010 Archaeological research in the context of the restoration of Stirling Palace
Aspects of Timber in Renaissance- and Post-Renaissance Scotland, 2007-2010, published 2010
An essay that discusses the extant roofs, ceilings and doors at Stirling Palace in its technical and historical context. The research, which feeds into an online-
publication by Historic Scotland on the restoration of Stirling Palace, was commissioned by Kirkdale Archaeology, Edinburgh.
The Construction of the Ceilings over the Royal Bedchambers at Stirling Palace, 2010, published 2010
This project, which was commissioned by Kirkdale Archaeology and published by Historic Scotland, offers a model as to the likely construction of the ceilings
over the King’s and Queen’s Bedchambers at Stirling Palace, suggesting the application of suspended structures.
Stirling Palace, U20, 2009
This short analytical text elaborates on the function of a relieving arch in room U20 at Stirling Palace. The project was done for Kirkdale Archaeology and
remains unpublished.
Stirling Palace, V21, 2010
This short analytical text explains the function of a shaft in room V21 at Stirling Palace. The project was commissioned by Kirkdale Archaeology and remains
unpublished.
Stirling Palace, King’s and Queen’s Bedchambers, conjectural reconstruction of the making of the ceiling
Post-medieval roof structure at Newark Castle, 2007 Survey and assessment of the roof over the north range at Newark Castle, Scotland
Extension of a warehouse in Leopoldshöhe, Germany, 2007 Design, calling for tenders and supervision of construction
Timber Architecture in Europe and Japan: a comparative analysis, 2007 A proposal for the Canon Foundation in Europe Fellowships by Thorsten Hanke, MPhil
Misawa House (Nagano Prefecture, mid-C19) and ‘Gratzenhäusel’ Ratschings (Northern Italy, C16)
Nikolaus Pevsner in his Outline of European Architecture once famously insisted that “(…) a bicycle shed is a building but
Lincoln Cathedral is a piece of architecture”. This sentence suggests that it is highly questionable to explain the shape of
buildings – and thus also of its components – exclusively on the basis of utilitarian considerations. Architectural
elements bear in many cases an artistic quality that goes beyond mere functional requirements, a fact that has marked
the creation of artefacts since the times of the cave-painters of Lascaux. Unlike other art disciplines, such as painting,
sculpture and music, architecture combines a firm desire of embellishment with the necessity to cope with the forces of
gravity and nature. This multidimensional nature of architecture forms the basis of the proposed research project.
This 4-month project is intended to compare historic timber architecture in North Europe and Japan through the
observation of historic roof structures. Roofs are architectural elements that most obviously combine complex structural,
functional and aesthetic requirements. They not only function as a protection against rain, snow and wind, but also
often enhance the structural rigidity of the building and embody the artistic ambitions of patrons and designers. Not
surprisingly, the wide field of roof architecture has led to significantly different solutions in Europe and East Asia. While
pre-modern European architecture generally refrained from the “expressionistic” interpretation of the roof as a
sculpture, did the architecture of East Asian roofs in many cases markedly determine the external appearance of
pagodas, shrines and temples. China, Japan and Korea have established their own architectural languages distinctively
different from that of Europe, a point which requires further consideration in terms of the functional, natural and cultural
implications on architectural design in the respective regions.
I intend to make sound architectural surveys in the Kansai (e.g. Kyoto and Nara) and Chubu (e.g. Gifu) regions, by
applying the methodology of historical building research – a combination of accurate survey, written and photographic
documentation and thorough archival research – so as to depict and analyse the original roofs of important Japanese
buildings. Surveying selected roofs on a 1:25 and 1:10 scale, the project will not confine itself to a small-scale typological
catalogue, but will also offer a collection and classification of construction details. As a result, the project will create a
stock of primary data, which will provide the basis for further discussion. In a second step, it attempts to make a detailed
comparison of selected aspects of Japanese and North European timber architecture. My previous research experience
on historic roof carpentry of Germany, Scotland, Poland and North Italy would be useful for the enrichment of my
Japanese project.
The proposed project will be undertaken at the Institute for Art Anthropology, Tama Art University, under the
supervision of Professor Mayumi Tsuruoka, a pioneer in the field of interdisciplinary research in art and architecture in
Japan. This academic environment is essential to cultivate my knowledge of Japanese art and culture, as well as to
exchange ideas with leading scholars in Tokyo before and after fieldwork on site. By looking at particular features in
Japanese roof architecture, this project is intended to observe the similarities and differences in Europe and Japan. Thus
it offers an excellent opportunity to understand the natural and material causes that always form the basis for cultural
and artistic interpretations of architectural elements.
It is hoped that, with the generous support of the Canon Foundation in Europe and the host institution in Japan, this
project will achieve successful results and promote a mutual understanding of art and culture in Europe and Japan.
Stair at ‘Brauerei Berliner Bürgerbräu‘, Berlin-Friedrichshain, 2011 For: Büro für analytische Baukonservatorik, Kollwitzstraße 12, 10405 Berlin
Dining Table, 2012 A dining table for Hans-Jörg and Sabine Hartmann, Lage-Heiden, Germany
Tantallon Castle, 2012 Survey, historical analysis and photo-documentation
Plan and Cross-Sections of the Midtower at Tantallon Castle
Bed, 2014 A bed for Ruxandra and Eugene Stoica, Edinburgh, Scotland
Linlithgow Palace, 2015 A hypothetical interpretation of the SW-corner of Linlithgow Palace, Scotland
Linlithgow Palace was created in a sequence of building operations that
took place over a period of roughly two hundred years between c.1420
and c.1620. While currant scholarship widely accepts that an L-shaped
southwestern edifice is incorporated into the currently existing
quadrangular structure, the original appearance of this ‘Proto-Palace’
remains unclear. Structural evidence suggests the early existence of a
timber lean-to attached to the s-range, as well as three double-pitched
roofs of different heights. It is equally unclear whether the ‘L’ was created
in one single building operation, or whether it emerged in separate
stages, possibly initially leaving the corner open and concentrating on
finishing weathertight – and thus useable – double-pitched hall ranges.
The hypothetical interpretation of the SW-corner of Linlithgow Palace on
the left explores this possibility, arguing that such a practice was widely
employed in European architecture during the Middle Ages.
Edinburgh Castle, The Clocktower, 2016 An Inventory of Levels 4 and 5, Component 001
Contact:
Thorsten Hanke
38/3 Shore Road
South Queensferry, EH30 9SG
UK
0131 331 5117
http://hankebauforschung.wordpress.com