"TSIATI" * | Apprenticeship and Hands-on Workshop on Traditional Timber Construction Techniques
Hands-on
*Tsiati means roof in Kudaritika, which is the local sign language of the craftsmen.
The project Tsiati | Apprenticeship and Hands-On Workshop on Traditional Timber Construction highlights traditional and sustainable timber construction techniques, covering the process from raw materials to specialized applications. Through a dual training programme, an apprenticeship and a hands-on workshop, along with a rich public programme, Tsiati undertook the ambitious task of restoring and renovating the timber roof of the former primary school in Frasta, Tzoumerka. Granted to the project by local authorities, the school building has been under sustainable and participatory restoration since 2022 through our educational programmes. Once completed, it will serve as a center for research and training on traditional and sustainable building.
The project
The participatory restoration centered on maintaining and reconstructing a part of the building's timber roof while partially reconfiguring its frame by adding two mezzanines to create essential functional space. A significant challenge was designing and implementing thermal insulation using natural materials such as compressed sawdust, cork, and sheep's wool. Additionally, the project and construction site incorporated practices of selective removal, recycling, and reusing building elements to minimize the environmental footprint of the construction process.
Apprenticeship and Hands-On Workshop
Through the dual training programme a total of twenty-six (26) participants from Greece and abroad, gained hands-on knowledge and experience in the sustainable use of timber in traditional building, and worked under the guidance of Boulouki’s long-time collaborators and tutors, Tryphon Papaioannou and Dominic Taylor.
Lectures
A comprehensive program of lectures complemented the training, featuring scientists, researchers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines. These lectures addressed technical topics such as traditional timber joinery, structural reinforcement of historic structures, and historic methods of conservation and protection. They also explored broader themes, including the material culture of wood, forest management, and the importance of revitalizing the use of wood and non-wood forest products in architecture and other fields.
Public programme
To engage and involve the local community, various public activities were organized, including open construction site days, guided tours, presentations, and lectures. These events focused on topics such as the use of timber, traditional and sustainable construction, the team's work to date, and the Tsiati project itself. Some of these events were part of the European Heritage Days program, held from September 27–29.
Round-table discussion
On September 21, we organized a roundtable discussion at the outdoor area of the old customs house of the Plaka Bridge, which revolved around vocational training in traditional building techniques. Distinguished invited speakers discussed a diversity of related initiatives and case studies from abroad, and explored the prospects of similar educational programs in Greece.
Local ceremony | Europa Nostra Award
On September 21, as part of the public program, a local ceremony was held to celebrate Boulouki’s achievement in receiving the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2024. This significant distinction, awarded to our team for its overall work in the category “Education, Training & Skills Development”, was marked by an evening filled with enthusiasm and pride. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the honorary plaque by Mrs. Lydia Carras, President of the Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET) and Europa Nostra representative in Greece.
location: Frasta, Tzoumerka, Epirus
date: 02/09/2024 - 27/09/2024
co-organisers: Municipality of Central Tzoumerka, Municipality of North Tzoumerka, TCG Epirus Department
aegis: Ministry of Culture
Region of Epirus
support: Ministry of Culture, “Panos & Cressida 4 Life”, Hellenic Parliament, The Technical Chamber of Greece, Non- Profit Civil Company AEGEAS, INTBAU
Sponsorship in-kind: Gutex,
Rothoblaas, Aerismos, Fibran
creation/ facilitation: Grigoris Koutropoulos, Panos Kostoulas, Athena Siafaka
tutors: Trifonas Papaioannou, Dominic Taylor
collaborators: Orestis Apostolatos, Constantina Koutsoupia, Spiros Panagos, Michalis Prodromou, Eleftheria Tsakanika, Dimitra Tsiaouskoglou, Vaso Hita
lecturers: Lena Gerothanasi, Ioannis Kakaras, Sotiris Karastergiou, Grigoris Koutropoulos, Panos Kostoulas, Kostas Latoufis, Giorgos Mantanis, Nikolaos Boukas-Anestis, Ioanna Ntoutsi, Michalis Prodromou, Andreas Sampatakos, Kalliopi Stara, Stergios Tampekis, Giorgos Tzavaras, Eleftheria Tsakanika, Rigas Tsiakiris, Dimitris Tsipotas
round-table speakers: Panos Kostoulas, Elena Mamani, Ioanna Tzavara, Eleftheria Tsakanika
photography: Iason Athanasiadis, Grigoris Koutropoulos
video: Iason Athanasiadis
Handbook on
renovating a traditional
timber roof