I posted a short note on my Blogger site, I have been in and out of using Blogger for years, and added many new titles, but never kept them up, mostly because of work presure, but now I am free of all that, I have made a new site, copied all the blogs over and slowly I will delete the names till only “Frog Up or Down” remains, as my comments blog, like YouTubes Shorts a place for quick short comments not articles. so please head over there and see my little posts. This substack page is my longer article repository.

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But today, I want to expand on Shadow, I used to work freelance, and a long post I got was for the then New Birmingham Airport. The Archites Paul Beeny, wanted to have a band of ribbed panels that played with the light, This was my first exposure to shadow, and it has stayed with me ever since.

I love to watch a building facade change as light sweeps across the face of the building, changing as it his stone, or brick, and the contrast between solid and Glass.

And its here I think I want to concentrate this article, looking at light from the sun in contrast to reflected light from a window.

I must admit, this is something I had not picked up on till this short little YouTube video, looked at the subject, and made me drop everything and concentrate on researching this extraordinary effect.

I suppose my first port of call, as always these days was to open a long conversation with Gemini, I say long, because Gemini strayed away from the subject, and although it was interesting, I had to dig it back to the main theme, but it was an interesting discussion, so perhaps this should also be your first port of call, with your choice of AI.

My next path will take several days and I must admit to several hours just watching a building, I want to see how the sun realy affects a building, and I am going to choose carefully, the building I want to watch. I am planning on visiting an older building that used to be a Lloyds bank building on New Street, Birmingham City Center, its opposite the ramp to New Street station, and the alterations to the roof includes a stainless steel mansard, roof, that reflects light back onto the surrounding buildings, its a little bit more extreme than I might normally looked at, but its going to be fun.

Now I have made my choice, I will do what I always teach , thats to do my desk top survey, and plan out what where and how.

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What, is already desided, How, is to sit and watch, when, is to be desided, I want a sunny day, as this is the real focus, that means I choose on the day. not always easy.

But first the desktop survey care of Google Maps, I like the satalite maps and the so usefull Street View.

From the map I can see that the part of the building I want to observe, is North facing, so to get the real light working on the buildings I need to attend first or last thing just after sun rise or just before sun set to get the effects I an looking for.

https://youtube.com/shorts/tP23XvP3YCk?si=ISk-iamp8L4xHilv

Its been a while since I last walked past this building and a lot has changed, mostly with the installation of the Tram Tracks, very interesting., but the light on this street view taken in August 2022, show a very interesting light and shadow contrast on the Stevenson Place facade of my building and just a climpce of light hitting the stainless Steel mansard behind. It looks like an early morning shot given this shot is south west ish. I tried to follow the Street round but there is no continuity between the timing of shots, the street view from Stevenson St I wanted was June 2022, and no shadow, something I now need to consider in my time there.

Well Plans are made, and all I need is the sunny day.

But this will not stop my research on Shadow , I went to YouTube and made a simple search, Architecture and Shadow, my first video was with is Dami Lee a licensed architect in Canada, who uses her expertise to show may aspects of Architecture, something I think is lacking in the teaching of Technologists, and probably why an Architects course is 7 years or more not the three for technologists. Something I need to address in future Articles.

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But I think for now I will create a new section in my CPD, spreadsheet, yes I still keep a list of my CPD, I may be retired but these every day things never go away.

But back to the video, Dami talks of the reflection pool, or is it a mote, with incredible shots of light reflecting on a plain wall, and into a low cncrete ceiling,

She quotes Jun’iChiro Tanizaki “Were it not for Shadows, there would be no Beauty” I must admit to asking Gemini about Jun’iChiro Tanizaki and suddenly realised I had a copy of his book, but rather than alter Geminis text, read below

:

Gemini:

That is a beautiful and profound quote, and you have the person and the source exactly right!

The quote is by the great Japanese novelist and essayist Jun’ichirō Tanizaki.

The quote comes from his most famous and influential essay:

* Title: In Praise of Shadows (陰翳礼讃, In’ei Raisan)

* Published: 1933

I have a more recent copy translated into English

The line cited is often found in the following, slightly longer passage from the essay, which elegantly summarises its core aesthetic argument:

“We find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates. Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.“

In Praise of Shadows is a poetic exploration of traditional Japanese aesthetics, particularly in contrast to the glaring brilliance and relentless light of the modern West (as it was perceived in the 1930s).

Tanizaki argues that Japanese beauty is found in the dimness, the patina of age, the subtlety, and the shadows that hide and enhance objects, especially in architecture, lacquerware, and Noh theatre. It is a love letter to:

* Architecture: Deep eaves and dark wood that create pools of shadow.

* Lacquerware: Bowls and utensils that are most beautiful when seen dimly, with a soft, smoky luster rather than a brilliant polish.

* Aesthetics: The idea that true beauty is not in the object itself, but in the mystery and nuance created by its surrounding darkness.

Given my interest in Construction, materials, and draughtsmanship, I found the essay’s discussions on traditional Japanese architectural design, the use of natural materials, and the way light is intentionally managed to be fascinating.

Something I plan on exploring more.

Finaly my sub title is to remind you all, that the real New Year on the 21st Dec here in the UK, is fast approaching, the exact time is 15:03 GMT so I have made a note in my diary I might try to be online on my TikTok account, if I can make it work !

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#article

#Future

#Suncatcher

The future is on the mind of many a writer, all those new year lists, the year just past, whats coming in 2026, there are so many variables, it hard to see what coming or whats heading the pack of a very mixed year to come.

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I make no firm forecasts, more I try to list things I thing will effect me, given a load of items, events, thoughts, yes thoughts, people, buildings, my partner, our dog, all will have an effect on me in the coming year or years, , I am even adding in the Weather.

So for me, when I say I see many events and people who I think will make a difference, in a number of key areas, I realy mean it.

So my overall list look something like:

* Internet & Technology

* Building Technology

* Search

* Transport

* Entertainment

* Thoughts

* Science & Maths

* Health

* Politics

* Business

* Books

* Travel

* Computers

* People

* Weather

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Internet & Technology

Its the state of the internet and AI, the vast number of AI articles all talking about who is best, or who controls what, its a nightmare, the power needed to run the system how do we supply more, google “suncatcher “ satellite that has vast solar panels powering a super computer in a geosynchronous orbit and a laser link to earth, all possible and worthy of many more column inches, but in 2026, I wonder, perhaps not.

The internet we have now will take a lot to keep running in the next year or two, but I just watched a program on the comparison of the brain to any of the AI’s and I suddenly realised that AI’s can’t do what I consider fundamental to every day life, I see, smell, hear, feel remeber, and forget, I have intuition, in that I get strange feelings on right or wrong, people, I attach myself to, my pet dog, I hate some foods and love spicy things, oh and put a bowl of olives in front of me with a deep rich red wine and all meetings other than a simple conversation are off limits.

My brain needs very little, less than a lightbulb to keep going, I store all I know not in files but so many connections, a simple smell can trigger so many things, even a todo list, why, I have no idea, but it happens all done on less power than a 2AA battery.

So if you want my forecast for 2026, it will be an AI running on my iPhone, taking no more that a glance at my battery, have a direct link to all my files, Apple Notes, the odd idea jotted in a pages file, or numbers spreadsheet, know all my diary appointments and listen to my conversations and add diary notes ready for me.

This is what I see once Apple makes a deal with google, suddenly all will change, and I will be happy, not because I got it right, but because my world will be simpler.

My watch will not just vibrate to give directions, it will be so much more, it will listen to me, play music into my almost constant earbuds, and not worry when I swap then for a new pair whilst they charge, and oh charging will be a simple method odfwalking, yes its not new, but it will happen, and so quickly.

But some how I think there will be trade offs, I know my Apple 15 is not going to make it happen. but Google can., see the section on my iPhone below.

Building Technology

We have a robust set of regulations, and they are available in pdf format, are easy to download, and realy well written and illustrated, but are in no way lined to the digital world of CAD, this needs to change and I strongly believe AI , via the government, if not doing it now, will have a product ready in 2026 , I wonder how long the PDF will last in its present form, I’m sure AI needs more to interact with CAD. See below for more on this.

Search

Its quite obvious, search is changing, I rarley use the seach bar on Safari, I just go straight to Google Gemini, and start a conversation, its quicker and easier, plus I get a link to the conversation its in simple English so I can copy and paste, and I have a citable reference.

AI as I stated above is the game changer for 20126, and beyond, and it wil change the way I use it.

Search within my Apple Notes plus all my files, the Keynote slides, articles, ePub books I have written and half written, plus a stack of pdf files, are all searchable, On a Mac its via Spotlight, for Windows and Linux I have no idea, for Chrome is just the same as a Mac the general search looks everywhere. I am hoping that AI will not need to search, it will just show as we converse.

Below in books I have a little moan about my book reading and how markups in a digital book, should be linked to Apple Notes. I see no reason why this should not be, after all its, already there, but not linked, although I do copy and paste into Apple notes as I read and markup, its just,,,,, well time saving for me.

Transport

I shudder at the very idea of swapping my Audi A4 Avant, for some sort of EV, my Audi does 70+ to the gallon of diesel it is repairable, and so comfortable, I open the bonnet and recognise most of the component, yes it might be a little better if I update the rather scrappy, badley designed central screen to a more useful display, but if Apple gets their finger out, then I might see improvements on that, but as long as I can talk to it via my iPhone then Im going to be happy especially on a planed trip to Scotland.

I shall not be swapping over just yet, I have another 100,000 miles to do before that decision is made. But will I take a taxi ride with no driver, of course, why not.

My MacBook Air is in need of replacement, according to Apple, they say I need the update to run their version of AI, yet Google Gemini runs happly on a pixel 3, ? and an old Asus laptop.

I sit on a knife edge between Apple and Google, and Google and Gemini is becoming the easier to use.

I used to like Google Docs but swapped over to Apple Pages as I retired, a far better writing experience, but only just, Docs does it all and has a direct link to Gemini.

Apple Notes is the best there is for note taking, its so linked to Safari, to record links, I can scan from my iPhone and transcribe so easily from the recording button.

Its highly likely I buy the Pixel 10 I have been there before and liked the experience, but it meand loosing a link to Apple, is that so bad, Apple Notes is the one thing thats stopping me revert back to Google full time, I sit on a knife edge as I blogged about recently, it works, but if Apple takes to long sorting out AI, I will move over.

At that point, the thought that Apple can catch up will suddenly becoming, a fading possability, AI is far to important and fast moving to ignore and take time sorting, the usual Apple way.

Entertainment

We were forced to swap from Sky satalite to the Internet, due to trees blocking our signal, but the experience was not a happy one, we ditched it for EE and their offering, which is better, but an 11 year old could design a better interface.

Then out of nowhere, Google introduces Google TV, with links to all my channels and film stations, Netflix, Disney etc: and Apple, its what apple should have been, but is not, so I am so tempted, we will see, but I have films on AppleTV so need to solve an import or transfer before I move, or perhaps a deal to access my films, its on a knife edge.

Don’t get me wrong, EE, the internet side of BT, is very good, the installation was great, and the speed is as promised, its just their system to record and show tv and film channels that sucks, but I live with it,,,, oh Google just make your dongle cheaper and I’m in.

Thoughts

I list so many thoughts in Apple Notes, its more like a diary, a dumping ground for things that pass me by, I use both my iPhone app for text notes and also record many thoughts, as they enter my head. They are important, as I see and feel ideas they need to be recored, otherwise they are lost.

Science & Maths

Its obvious there will be some major breakthoughs in Science and Maths as the power of AI and computing in general breaks so many barriers, Watching the news shows how far we are going in Quantum Science, and the speed at which old barriers to knowledge are being broken and explored., I have started to subscribe to several AI and knowledge based news letter, just to try and keep up, my old favourites Wired Magazine remains, but others are just packed with gosip and often bad comment.

But the disturbing amount of disinformation continues to grow, I spend as much time checking as to believing.

One thing here is the simple concept of counting, does 1+1=2, this needs thinking about, for me, maths is going to be huge in 2026, so will programing.

Health

The older I get, the more health is of interest, my eyesight, my shaking hands, all of my body complaining after a long walk, my eysight fading and the cost of new glasses, all seem to be a continous cycle of replacement or having to take more rest.

I see my watch playing a greater role in monitoring not just my health, but my overall well being, so 2026 will see my Apple watch being upgraded to a model with more health tools, unless I swop to Google Pixel 10, then I need an alternative.

My eyesight will soon need a major repair, I have catoracts and although they are becoming more of a problem, I think I will last the year, but I will take another eye test in the summer and that will be the desision point. I wear glasses, so is it possible 2026 will see glasses with an AI embeded, just to keep my eyes under review, as well as communicating a load of information, my mind seems to forget. mostly people and their names.

Politics

We put people in power to run our country, yet, we never check if they are compitent to run the country in a continouly ever changing landscape, both home and abroad. I see a major change in 2026, in the government, its replacement will be tried and tested, it will have experience, and be able to understand, and its quite possible AI could well be part of this, a little to SciFi for you, think again, you may not know the AI is being consulted, but its quire possible that at least one if not several will be, I can easily see a political AI being delivered.

I can seriously see an end to the EU, its run its course, and each of the member states will eventualy leave, but certain elements will remain, Its central curreny, and the Court system,

Business

So much of business, is gearing up to using AI, if they have not already done so already. But I get the impresion that so many users do not use AI correctly, issuing commands, rather than asking for a conversation, discussing the problem as they might with a human. asking rather than demanding, giving some background, loading up information, exploring how why, where you need help. NotebookLM is an AI that lets you do this. Its not like talking to an AI, more loading up the AI with information, and also giving it a script, given this and that, can you explain this.

This is a new way of using an AI and for some it will be a beautiful way forward.

Books

I am a constant book buyer and reader, currently at my dssk, I have :

* The Soul of a new machine - Tracy Kidder

* An old book, but so interesting as a machine is developed

* Eating the Sun - Oliver Morton

* I have yet to read it, but Gemini sugested it as part of a subject in glass,

* Caesars Last Breth - Sam Keon

* I have yet to read it, but Gemini sugested it as part of a subject in glass,

* The Fourth Intelligence Revolution - Anthony Vince - Kindle

* This is a spy talking, and I am hooked, I have the sample on my Apple books, its far better than Kindle and links are easy to add to Apple Notes

I take notes, lots of notes, but I never mark up a paper book, Its just something I hate, and it makes me mad when I see someone reading a rather expensive book and folding corners, or marking in ink, or underlining in ink, UUUUg, but marking an electronic book is almost required,

So Apple, can we have a new section in Apple notes, to handle this please, currently its a little messed up, if I can I buy Apple Books, and mark up there, but sometimes its kindle, so please sort out a link to my book reading.

Travel

Travel is going to be big in 2026 and beyond well at least till 2028, Europe is not a good place, the EU is being an arse, and making it difficult, plus they want to charge us,,,, that a stab in the back. Besides, Russia is an unpredictable force, I fear going to close to them.

But Africa is wide open to travel and thats where I think we will concentrate on,

Travel brings on major problem, age, and insurance, the older I get, the more they want, and the more they need to know.

Computer

I need both Google and Apple, its not a problem, I use a Mac but so many services are provided by Google, my web site is Google, my Search is Google, my AI is google, I write in Word, not that I want to but would prefer Apple Pages, but my publisher insists !

I use Apple Numbers and Apple photo, email is Apple, so is my Calendar, although its linked to Google simply because of Google workspace which I need to talk to my editor. Apple just has no similar tool, and although Zoom is fine, Google workspace works better.

Oh I store almost all on my Apple iCloud account, my iPhone is the 15, its ok, it runs Gemini very well, there again I have a Pixel 3 that also runs Gemini with no noticable difference.

My Mac is a MacBook Air its ok, I just miss the second screen but that is my only issue, Mac just works, I run both Safari and Chrome with Safari being the dominant browser.

Let talk iPhone, my last upgrade was to the iPhone 15, at the time 16 was not known, and overall, its just fine, photos are good, and I have full links to the Mac, I run it on the EE network, which is also fine. But the 15 is in need of an upgrade, it will not handle Apples version of AI well. and I think thats going to be a problem soon.

Google Gemini is probably the best AI is have access to, but, and I think its going to happen, that Apple integrates Gemini into its own system, and I am sure it will need to run mostly on the iPhone, I defiantly think I need the 17.

And its here I have a dilema, I although I have many conversations stored into Gemini on google, that I would like to move into Apple, for continuity although all my important conversations are linked back into my Apple Notes, so I will not loose anthing. and all important requests , answers and conversations are copied over as well.

Apple Notes has a text copy, plus a link to the conversation, so all is not lost if Apple either does not transfer, or they decide on an alternative approach, .

What will happen ? For me, my gut is saying drop my iPhone 15 now and upgrade, but to what,

My iPhone 15 is great, it runs Gemini no problem, the Chrome browser is brill on the Mac, I can easily stay as I am, till Apple makes a posative move on AI.

Do I need to update to the Apple 17, I think not, well not at present and that includes the Google Pixel 10.

But updating the MacBook Air for a Mac Mini, in 2026 after the normal Apple show in the spring, will be a good update, my Mackbook Air is an M1 machine and if I stay with Apple then needed,

I think by then Apple Inteligence will have a formal path, if its Gemini, all well and good, but it needs to work with Apples walled privacy, and in general I am in favour of that, after all its part of why I stick to Apple, that and the general Apple way of life.

I have tried Google, and its not Apple,, but the more I use it now the more I can live with it, I have even moved several items back, simply because its easier to load up the the web site, and Gemini can read them.

Did I say, I live on a knife edge, balanced between Google and Apple, Google is slowly pulling me back, cloud based computing, and a possible answer to the power problems, plus well I like Gemini winning me over.

And chrome books are not that bad, I can do all I want and the machines are a lot cheaper.

All I have to do is sort out my knowledge base, Apple Notes is possibley the best there is, Keep is not in the same league, but is still very usable, oh dessions.

On reflection I see me staying on a mac, but being more Google ,,,,,,,,, is that possible?

AI

How could I not consider AI as both a player in 2025, and how the future will look in 2026 for AI and me. The rapid,,,,, no Stella climb of AI in the past year 2025 is the true game changer, and 2026 is going to be one hell of a ride, there is no other way to even think of describing how AI will change life, research, new materials, cars, transport, food, even war.

Sci Fi has tried to consider the many variables, but I doubt it could have anticipaed the impact in just one year, I have tried many of them, Apple as always, has lagged behind with the almost useless Siri, although its pretty good at simple stuff, Google Gemini, ChatGTP, Claude, Pi, Perplexity, and of course, Grok, breaking the sound barrier with almost weekly improvements.

I must admit to liking both Gemini, and ChatGTP, I already pay for Google so Gemini comes as part of that subscription, ChatGTP has the need to be paid for, and there is a gut feeling not to trust it, plus without warning is sudenly says I have used up all my available tokens,,,,,, come back later. No

Gemini on the other hand has the google Doc links and all that brings with it, plus it keeps working and the new audio conversation works very well. Plus they publish research, and that means a lot to me.

But we need to take a look at the climb and speed AI is taking .The timeline is already climbing fast and as new versions of each AI push the others, I can only see the curve going almost verticle.

For us in the AEC industry we need to understand the different areas AI will influence, and how. This is going to need a much larger, article but I think we need to understand the different segments: AEC, (Architect, Engineer, Contractor ) industry ie the design side, and as a separate area, the manufacturing element, and the the Client.

Each will use AI in a slightly different way, but all need to gell and understand each other.

Plus the idea of an AI being not part o the team is a vast mistake, and training on AI use may well be need. I have written on this before, urging a conversation not instructional approach.

I am going to include glasses into this section, I wear glasses, and if Apple or Google brings out a wearable pair linked to my phone, then thats it I’m in as long as the price is good.

Till now I have just considered AI as a general product to talk to or as a link to check say a CAD model, Now I want to add a replacement for the Stalink Satalite Dish a product made by Amazon, that will deliver gigabit speed up or down. Amazons delivery bots are a sign, we need to take this rumour a little seriously.

People

There are many people who I think are worthy of some form of following, just because they are interesting, they may wel have done something interesting, or have made a point I agree with.

* Elon Musk - A load of companies, he can be a complete ass, but he is obviously very clever, and now has the resources to research and turn round an idea instantly.

* Sir Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind Technologies. OK Gemini and all the spin offs are getting very good, Demis and his team need to be followed.

* Leo Laport - Twit. Conversation is important, and the Twit team get the right people to open up,

* Katie Drummond - Global Editor Wired Magazine. If there is one magazine I will happily pay for its wired, there articles are always cutting edge

* Fidj Simo - OpenAI CEO. Given the staus of OpenAI and the current links with Apple and Siri, its an obvios person to follow. Simo is not your normal top exec, ignore her and beware.

* Marques Brownlee - You need to listen to the guy, simple, no argument, he tests, comments observes, and he says it as it is.

I have another list of idiots in power, people who I think need to be followed simply because they undermine democracy, and good will. Sir Keir Stamer, for no other reason than how not to run a government, Borris, For all his faults, I like him. both ae on my naughty list.

Thats it, a strange Prediction, but AI will be at the top of my list, The weather, I have not mentioned here, but have aired it well on other papers, Mitchells Construction, look out for it at the end of the year. ok Im going to list the Weather !

Weather

I see the weather as a major force, literally, on my coming year or more, I no longer crave Heat, more, I look for fair weather, Rain is not a problem, clouds are not a problem, but excessive heat is. so my year ahead is going to be away from hot areas. I will be studying Metiorology, in more detail.I want to understand, not just the maps and charts, but some of the formula used in predicting weather. Its so strongly linked to detailing and material choice. Will the inclusion of AI into buildings mean having your own weather service looking after the building.

Conclusion

I see an interesting year ahead, politics is going to be a huge watch area, linked so strongly to some of the people on my list, or more to the point not on my list, like Santa, I have a naughty list.

The weather is going to be a major influence in some building reg changes. I also see the begining of AI being added to our models, via two distinct routes, C# or Python-based .gha files, or dedicated AI modules. a major area to watch, and one I am having a large conversation with Gemini on. Understanding the regs is a huge leap for an AI.

I am watching the madness of the Trump war on words vs the European collection, and I include the UK here, on how to handle Russia, and their expansion I think 2026 will be interesting, and have a major impact on travel as we see areas group together, resticting not just travel, but food, and other supplies, enter Trumps tarifs, a stupid idea. This I think will impact on Solar and other sources of energy. Vertical farming for salad crops and some vegetables will become more interesting. and practices who understand their design will be ££ in.

Please leave a comment, right or wrong I am retired, so all thoughts are mine.

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I need both Google and Apple, its not a problem, I use a Mac but so many services are provided by Google, my web site is Google, my Search is Google, Seach for papers is Google, my AI is google, I write in Word, not that I want to but would prefer Apple Pages, but my publisher insists ! I use both Apple Numbers and Apple photo, but because of my web site I also use Google Docs, slides and photos, email is Apple, so is my Calendar, although its linked to Google simply because of Google workspace which I need to talk to my editor. Apple just has no similar tool, and although Zoom is fine, Google workspace works better.

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Oh I store almost all on my Apple iCloud account, my iPhone is the 15, its ok, it runs Gemini very well, there again I have a Pixel 3 that also runs Gemini with no noticable difference.

My Mac is a MacBook Air its ok, I just miss the second screen but that is my only issue, Mac just works, I run both Safari and Chrome with Safari being the dominant browser. and Apple Notes is still my go to Knowledgebase, its powerfull and keep, the google offering is not even on the same page, plus Obsidian, is just on a different planet, but it needs time and I just don;t have that to spent on maintaining the system, besides Apple notes is so intergrated into my Mac.

Lets talk iPhone, my last upgrade was to the iPhone 15, at the time 16 was not known, and overall, its just fine, photos is good, and I have full links to the Mac, I run it on the EE network, which is also fine. But the 15 is in need of an upgrade, it will not handle Apples version of AI well. from what I read, any AI is in part or mostly going to run on their new chips, and on my phone, and I think thats going to be a problem soon,

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Google Gemini is probably the best AI I have access to and it runs fine on my iphone 15, but, I think its going to happen, that Apple integrates Gemini into its own system.

And its here I have a couple of dilemas.

* Although I have many conversations stored into Gemini on google, that I would like to move into Apple, for continuity although all my important conversations are linked back into my Apple Notes, so I will not loose anthing. and all important requests , answers and conversations are copied over as well.

* Apples well documented need for privacy means the AI, and for now I still think it will be Google Gemini, will need to run fully, or partially on the individual iPhone, it will need the power and additional storage the iPhone 17 and above can offer.

I need an upgrade !

My gut is saying drop my iPhone 15 now and upgrade over to the 17, as the first update, but a quick chat to EE and it looks like there might be a sale in the new year,,,,,,, I can wait, and I w ill think about updating the MacBook Air mid 2026 after the normal Apple show in the spring.

But Apple, Google and me are joined at the hip and it will be so for some time.

Did I mention NotebookLM? thats another story, and one I am saving for another post, probably the end of this week…. Stay tuned

Thats the plan,

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Below is a photo I took of my screen whilst watching Windy.com, ome of the best weather apps available. It shows realtime the state of the planets weather.

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One of the things that surprises people is that Lows presure zone, you know those areas of the weather that sweep up carrying bad weather into the south West of the British Isles, spins to the left, you casn see this on the wind patterns that surround the lows centre. The high is the calm area that tries to block the path of the Lows progression. Between the two you can see contour lines of presure. The closer together the higher the wind and the location of the low to the high, denotes direction of the wind, its complex, but once you get used to looking at the charts, the more it makes sence.

That is till you look at the Northern Hemisphere where the lows spin to the left, and highs spin to the right. In the Southern Hemisphere to complete opposite occurs, the lows spin to the right, and the Hights spin to the left.

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Don’t believe me, take a look at Windy.com and zoom as far out as possible and watch the wind at ground level.

Don’t blame me, its so addictive. Oh is all down to the Coriolis effect, the spin of the earth, the same effect of a child sitting at the centre pole of a spinning top and trying the throw a ball to its friend who is sitting on the edge of the top.

I asked Google Gemini for a simple overview, a 1 paragraph that might help, it came back with this simple view: the full conversation can be seen here: http://bit.ly/48G0zaN

“Think of the Earth as a spinning top: the wide Equator moves much faster (about 1,000 mph) than the narrow Poles just to complete the same daily rotation. When air currents move North or South, they carry that specific momentum with them. In the Northern Hemisphere, air moving toward the poles is ‘faster’ than the ground beneath it, causing it to deflect to the right; this deflection forces air rushing into a Low-pressure center to twist counter-clockwise. In the Southern Hemisphere, the effect is reversed, deflecting air to the left and spinning storms clockwise—exactly like a ball thrown across a spinning merry-go-round appearing to curve because the person catching it has moved.”

It works for me !

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I know I have mentioned NotebookLM before, the spinoff research tool that Google has quietly launched, but its just got a whole lot better.

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Now it so easy to load files into the research area, all from your Google Drive, all seem to be readable, no coversion and certainly no size limitations, that I could find.

As a trial, I loaded up five different presentations on the use of Glass in Architecture, plus a research document, that I had written to combine all my searches and conversations with Google Gemini. Then I just set it going, about 5 mins later I have a Mind Map, of all the data, an audio deep dive podcast, and an Inphographic to boot, oh and an insane video as well.

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This is a great way of using a set of research notes to present to students, and seasoned Technologists.

This is my first real play with this technology, more to come as I add research to Google, and set it going.

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We do need to consider Co2 and all the problems it brings, but I am begining to take a different look at the problem, and ask a few question.

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It all started when I had to rake up, a load of leafs in both my front garden and more so in the rear garden, we have a large Oak tree and apart from the acorns, and this year its been a bumper crop, it has finaly dumped a heap of leafs, that I need to rake up, and compost.

It was whilst I was doing this, and listening to a none descriptor podcast, I suddenly thought about the Oak tree going to sleep, it was then I realised that its contribution to Co2 removal, was about to end, well at least till about April next year, same goes for most trees, they are going to sleep for the next 6 months or so.

No Co2 conversion then I went to Gemini, and explained what I saw as a major problem, what was happening, and the simple reply back was, watch this video from NASA, showing the levels of Co2 rise and fall, as the northern hemisphere went into winter, and come back after 6 months. Its a major loss, but what I did not expect was to find the southern hemisphere was no compensation, simply because the land mass of planet earth is all concentrated in the north, and most of the trees doing all the work are in a belt runing round the world in the north, at about 45 - 60 degrees north. The great Canada, Northern Europe Russia China forests.

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It was an light bulb moment, from say November to April, hardley any trees were doing what I thought was a year round operation, they sleep, and Co2 is unchecked, and this video sequence is at least 9 years old.

There are three great land masses in the southern hemisphere, Africa, India and Australia & NewZealand, only NewZealand has what I call a decent forest, but is small and almost insignificant compared to the Russian and Canada forests.

So is there anything that can be done, well having been recently to Africa I was supprised at the vast open areas, India, much the same, could a program of tree planting in these two areas help, I can see vast problems trying to get this going, but its worth exploring. To be honest, I have no idea as to the answer, I can only think it might help, and to be honest, its a problem I have only just begun to explore,

The vast area of the Southern oceans and the seas absorption of Co2 must have some effect.

I think I have some serious reading to do on this subject, Gemini has suggested several books:

* “The Emerald Planet: How Plants Changed Earth’s History” by David Beerling This is likely the closest match to what you are looking for. While Pearce and Rawlence look at trees geographically, Beerling looks at them chemically.

* The Atmosphere Specialist

“Caesar’s Last Breath” by Sam Kean If you want to understand the air itself, this is the book.

* Why it fits: It is a biography of the atmosphere. It breaks down the gases (Nitrogen, Oxygen, CO2) and explains their cycles in a very storytelling-driven way (similar to how Fred Pearce writes).

* The “Process” Book

“Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet” by Oliver Morton This focuses entirely on photosynthesis.

* I’m goint to add “Blue Machine” by Helen Czerski, a book I read about a year ago and is as the name Indies all about the great ocean belt.

I’m sure there are more, but for the time being, I am going with thses recomendations and have found Ceasars last breath and Eating the sun on Ebay at reasonable prices, should be here ready for the weekend.

.This link takes you to my conversation with Gemini, its worth copying and using as a base for your own research: https://gemini.google.com/share/456949f40bc7

I would love to here your thoughts on this, CO2 is a major green house gas problem and from what I can see, its just continuing to rise, extraction by human efforts has to be a major effort, planting more trees can only help, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. but its not the only answer. or is it?

Our planning might help, just consider planting, and adding trees more, it might help !

Does going EV or changing to an electric vehicle help, I run a diesel Audi, its getting to the point of being changed, do I go EV. or hybrid.

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I have always through there were some classic construction books, Mitchells, McKays, Barry, A history of architecture, Banister Fletcher, Chuddly, perhaps, but there are two new books I want to add to the list, Cassells Building Construction by Prof Henry Adams, and Modern Buildings G. A. T. Middleton.

These two new titles, I knew nothing of, till I found Henry Adams in a book store in Hay on Wye and G.A.T Middleton from a very old friend from CIAT, who was keen to find a home for his grandfathers construction books. And they have changed my views on Teaching Construction & Architecture.

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Let me start with Henry Adams, and just to clarify, not the USA gentleman, if you want to look him up, and what stikes you straight away is the pure quality of the book, its paper, after over 100 years, just feels silky, printed in 1906, this book must have rivalled Mitchells, as its drawings and text are realy very good, but as you flick through the pages you begin to get the feeling, this book was never meant for tradesmen, this was a book aimed at young Architects, as is Banister Fletcher, its just written in another style. Sadley there was no follow up, just a reprint with minor updates, I have a first edition and its section on Foundations is so advanced for ithe time, its not just a simple foundation its all of the leads to setting out, squaring lines levels, drainage connections, shoring, and thats all before any concrete or brickwork, he even goes over the problem of running sand and pilling is dealt with in detail, some 28 pages of explanation plus detailed drawings.

The second book is not just one book, but a set of six, and again its a one off print run, but like Henry Adam’s the “ Modern Buildings Their Planning construction & Equipment “ is a different style to Mitchells. The number of drawings far exceeds the need, and a lot are of not just construction, but the layouts of some pretty famous building all over Europe, and the Commonwealth, a classic is the Houses of Parliament Melbourne, not just pland but sections and Elevations all with a decent scale bar.

Each subject is dealt with in depth & care and again these books were not meant for trades people but Architects. The language and drawing style was meant to teach the classic styles of that period, again 1910 and the height of the empire. Large country houses, majestic public buildings meant to impress and impose the Britanic rule.

I am so glad I have this set, which together with so many other books of this period is becoming a unique collection for studying Architecture and construction of the commonwealth period.

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My collection highlights a fascinating split in the Edwardian architectural mind. On one side, we have Professor Henry Adams, the long-serving Professor of Engineering at the City of London College. His writing is the voice of the University: rigorous, scientific, and obsessed with the ‘why’ of construction & structural failure.

On the other side stands G.A.T. Middleton, ARIBA. He was no ivory-tower academic, but a practicing architect responsible for many London Underground stations and high-end estates. His voice is that of the Architects Studio: concerned with planning, draughtsmanship, and the grand visual styles of the Commonwealth. Together, they cover the two halves of the Architects profession of the day: the science that keeps the building up, and the art that makes it worth building.

A beautiful pen and ink drawing of the Houses of Parliament in Melbourne, Australia

But on another level is Mitchells Barry, McKays, solid construction being taught to site people, Clerk or works in the making, Site formen, and Construction draftsmen, who will become Architectural Technologists in later years.

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As always, This article is a thnk piece, something to stir you into researching some of the points I raise here, to add to your own Knowledge Bank

Windows and doors offer access through an external wall for two distinct reasons, For Windows, it is light, ventilation and the possibility of access; for Doors, it is simple access for people and goods to the interior of the building, with the possibility of light.

Windows

A window’s primary function is to let in not only light, but also ventilation, and sometimes allow access. it’s an opening punched through the external fabric to let in light and often add ventilation; from the internal living room in a domestic house, its a picture frame; in a church, it’s a storyboard; in a bank, is a security problem. in a shop, it’s a display. But for many its a sound problem.

But all have one thing in common, it’s a break in the weather lining that needs to be sealed, and so many times I see it done Badley, often misusing materials that have a short shelf life, and are so often applied or installed wrong.

Windows across the broad spectrum of buildings come in many designs, from stone to timber and recently plastic. The latter trying to replace timber, that needed painting, and servicing, to metal.

Metal can be seen on both domestic, and commercial buildings, the latter as curtain walling, large metal mullions spanning many floors to hold acres of glass into place.

Glass has also undergone a huge evolution, from the bulls eye square glass panes to large triple or quadruple glass panels held in place with metal brackets and cover plate, tinted to reflect solar gain or for Architectural appearance.

Weather proofing for the commercial building is simply the glass and metal, often there is no other material involved but on domestic buildings brickwork and other claddings are involved complicating the detailing.

In recent years timber has undergone a transformation, cheap timber that was never suited to window manufacture, and relied on paint to protect it, and bad detailing of the window interface to the brickwork, released its hold on the market, to UVPC windows, that offered both longevity and easy installation both for new build and the renovation market, offering a no paint solution, and double or triple glasing.

But The clever use of multiple timbers laminiated together with more durable timber to the exterior, and softer often less durable timber in the core away from the weather, and often treated to give a little more protection, are transforming the window market.

Timber can be repaired, but UVPC is almost impossible to repair, yes it offers a thermal performance, but new designs in timber window, now can compete.

Ventilation is one of the endering factors of any window, the ability to poen part of all of the window, to allow fresh air. There are three ways this can be acgieved, opening out, opening in ot sliding.

The opening out detail is predominately the way many English windows work, the natural tendency for the weather to drain down the external surface, and away is protected by overlapping surfaces, but on the European continent windows tend to open inwards, and there is a very good reason for this, the weather is often a lot warmer, and shutters have been the main stay in protecting the interior from the harsh sun, preventing the outward opening of windows, but an inward opening window allowed the shutter to remain closed, and still allow windows to open and ventilate the room.

Sliding sash windows did much the same and were the alternative method of using shutters in the UK, and still allow ventilation. The beauty of the shutter is that the top and bottom panels could be slid open slightly allowing hot air to ventilate at the top, and cool air to flow into the room at the bottom. Control of the flow was a simple opening or closing of the gap offering a lot more control. This is discussed later in this section.

The development of the internal shutter for more grander homes was seen as a more elegant design but defeated the beauty of the external shutter that shaded the heat external not internally where it was too late, the heat already being inside the room.

Which ever design is used, placing the window as near to the external surface helped to keep the weather away from the internal surface, but offered a difficult detail. Older building moved the window back slightly and covered part of the frame with the outer skin of brickwork of a 229 brick, solid wall, not perfect, but far better than the detail to come.

The mass building of houses after the second world war, and the need to simplicity, did away with this and relied on a flush opening, the frame push as far out as possible and sealed with paint or a drip channel in the frame. Not a good detail and open to failure.

The Sash window was and still is the ultimate window design, easy to use and install, easily repaired, and in many cases provided a large opening when the panels were removed to move furniture into the building, even to upper rooms. It utilised the use of the outer skin of brickwork to seal the window and its modular design enabled easy repair.

The cavity wall, and the inclusion of cavity wall insulation and the avoidance of cold bridging, now opens up the ability to return to the use of the eternal skin to become part of the detail once again. By closing the cavity with a insulated cavity barrier, also achieving the required fire seal, and reducing the cold bridge to a minimum.

The cill is a major part of the design of any window, old or new, it sheds water thar will inevitably drain down the impermeable glass, and allow it to drip away from the wall and not cultivate mould or staining of the brickwork or cladding below. The cill should extend either side to form horns, preferably 50mm, to allow water to dissipate correctly and not to collect at the edge and cause a large drip. An alternative is to raise the edge of the cill slightly an prevent this, but it’s not as effective as the use of the cill being extended. The body of the cill should overhang the main wall by 50mm also, to prevent water stain or mold growth.

The use of correctly applied seals and drips to the frame will prevent a major cause of failure, that of capillary action, the ability of water to cling to a surface and travel along that surface, and if it collided with another hard surface, climb upwards and caused havoc. The use of rubber seals set into the frame sealing the gaps between the frames helps the drip, routed into the frame, seal against capillary action and wind blown rain creeping into the building.

The sequence of operations, is a fundamental part of any detail, understanding how a detail is constructed, for a window with a timber cill only, the horns or extensions of the timber cill are slid into a area cut away from the first brick course of the window reviel, and bedded in mortar. If the window is designed to hide behind the outer skin, then it needs to be fed in from the internal side of the wall, taking great car not to disturb the brick or joint.

Fixing should never be left to site, all details need adequate restraint, and for a timber window being installed into a cavity situation, a stainless-steel bracket should be fixed to the timber frame prior to installation together with an expanding seal to prevent water and wind ingress through the joint, set into a small rebate in the timber. The bracket may be fixed in the end of the internal block or taken round to the internal face which ever gives the greatest security or easy of fixing.

As the brickwork will be installed way before any window frame, the window manufacturer will require the structural opening, so the frame may be made slightly smaller to aid installation, the use of spacer blocks or as per the frame detail here, a cranked fixing bracket may be used, with a fixing to the internal face, giving a more flexible alinement when a elongated hole in the bracket is used.

A window is no more than an opening through a wall, behind that simple statement lies a world of technical problems. The creation of an opening in the external wall creates the first of many problem, the first being support of the external material over the opening.

This is done via several methods, the arch, and there are many shapes and styles to choose from, and the flat lintel. But primarily the steel lintel.

Although the window’s primary role might be light, in some buildings such as churches, it was often used as a storyboard and the use of stained glass set into a lead frame to depict passages from the bible, or in a stately home, the union of two heraldic coats of arms.

The next problem is the hole you are making by piercing a hole through the weathering. Creates a problem of continuity, the detail between the window and external skin needs to join the two often different materials together and continue the weather protection, which is not an easy feat and one that often fails.

Detailing the interface between window, or door, requires an understanding of how water, air, dust, insects, and fire can be resisted.

Older Victorian and later Edwardian buildings did this by hiding the window behind the outer external skin of brickwork. Which also solved the problem of securing the window to the brickwork. This worked well to hide the weight chamber of the sash window.

Glass is not porous, its sheds almost as much as the rain that lands upon it; therefore the cill is the next big portion of the detail to be looked at.

Is the cill big enough to shed the water away adequately, is there a sufficiently large drip on the the underside? As stated above the cill should extend 45 - 50mm beyond the face of the wall.

The development of glass, plays an important role in the development of, and use of windows, from castle windows often with no glass, and therefore small, thin openings.

The manufacture of glass was originally a large blob of molten glass on the end of an iron rod, which was spun to produce a disk of glass that could be cut into small squares. the centre was not wasted; it became the bullseye, so often seen in doors and windows with a Edwardian frame.

In hot countries, the window created another problem that of solar gain, and the creation of external shutters, often louvred to allow some ventilation, and a variety of opening methods, In France, the use use of external shutters meant the use of windows that opened internally.

In England, the use of internal shutters gave rise to the sash window and vertical sliding frames, often seen as the perfect means of ventilation control.

In General, Shutters, whether internal or external, increased the security of house windows, A recent development has been the integration of a roller shutter into the steel lintel, opened internally via a winder offering increased security and some form of automation when a small electric motor os fitted with sensors to aid security.

The mass building rise in the UK resulted in the use of window frames with side openings and top-hung frames, the arrow of the dotted line denotes the opening side, although adding a thick line denotes the hinge position.

Timber - UPVC Metal

In this author’s training, timber was the predominant frame material, Metal was used in specific areas, and UPVC was not yet used, but come the late 70’s early 80’s the popularity of UPVC became the main material used, Timber with is poor record of decay, and constant need for painting, plus its leaky nature in terms of wind ingress , allowed UPVC to dominate, no need for paining, a sealed interface between the opening leaf and main frame reducing to almost till the air ingress, and of course noise.

But UPVC is not sustainable, and timber, with better use of laminated timber and better detailing, has made a comeback. With the use of more durable timber to the exterior and cheaper but still durable timber to the interior as a laminate and the use of extruded aluminium is providing secure, stronger more durable windows with low maintenance.

Better-designed hinges that throw the window away from the frame and locks that secure on all four corners.

Open in out or sliding sash

Thought Europe there are roughly three types of window opening direction, In the UK opening out are predominant, with Sliding Sash holding onto a sizeable share , but in Europe windows open predominately into the room, The direction of use is controlled by the use of shutters, to aid in shading the room and still maintain ventilation

Shading

The orientation of a building is fundamental to the path of the sun from sun rise to sun set, for any day of the year never being the same, each day is slightly different from the day before or after. Up until recently, calculating the sun path analysis for and buildng and incorporating the neighbouring buildings into the scenario, was complex and very time consuming, just for one day yet alone a full year, but most CAD programs can do this in a moment, giving the designer not only the external shading, but also how the sun and possibly shading will affect the internal space.

Orientation

The suns path is predictable, its angle from sun rise to sun set is is built in to almost every 3D CAD program, so the orientation of the building to obtain the best solar exposure is not as difficult as it once was.

Its Planning’s job to control how a building looks and it’s fit into the surrounding landscape, but there is a conflict between the correct orientation in relation to the sun, its relation to the other buildings and the energy efficiency to cool or shade the building effectively.

Weathering

Water in the form of rain will travel between the main frame and the hinged opening frame in the form of Capillary Action. To stop this, drips in the form of a small routed grove are placed to break the capillary action, Rubber draught seals are often added to act as seals to the wind blowing through the frame gap.

Around the main frame, a grove is added to take a mastic seal, often a sponge rod that will be squeezed and placed in the external grove of the frame. Often coated in mastic, they try to return to there original size and seal the gap against the frame and structure.

Adding drips to the head and cill frame will shed water away from exposed joints. The cill detail using a drip will make water flowing down the glass drip away from the facing brickwork and help prevent mould.

Fixing doors and windows is so often achieved by three of more fixings through the side mullion into the brickwork or cladding.

So detailing any window requires a detail that shows all the materials that will interact with the window to determine the best fixing and sealing.

It’s not unusual to use brackets to secure the window frame to an inner leaf, either because the outer frame is not sufficiently strong or the window frame detailing or drips do not allow. So a metal bracket is used to secure it to the inner leaf.

The use of a vapour barrier on the internal surface is a detail that needs careful handling to ensure a leak-free seal to the window frame is achieved to prevent vapour from leaking into the cavity insulation.

Securing the Window in place

Often left to the window company fitters, a little time in detailing how and into what will the window be secured. So often the simplest method might be a screw through the jamb into the external skin, but so often this might be that the cavity barrier, a simple alternative is to prefix a securing bracket to the Jamb, facing back into the inside elevation, allowing a fixing to the inner skin or block or timber / Metal stud.

Daylight Factor

A major factor of any window is to admit daylight through the opening, for domestic, the volume of light is controlled by the size, and shape of the opening, together with the type of glass used. In Chapter 19 Glass its history and use, right up to modern day and beyond into the future is discussed.

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If there is a free magazine I will avidly put aside for a quiet day its Roofing Today, I like reading the articles, and I must admit, the company adverts are also interesting, but Its been a while since I was looking after Dow products in the pitched and flat roofing business.

But, I read it through and made notes in Apple Notes. The opening cover has Proctor Group in full colour, very bright and prominent.

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But todays star is the free magazine Traditional Roofing, written by Russell blackaller, When I read through the magazine, I thought there was no digital version, but I did a search and found that there is a website and there is a digital online version, but as of yet no Autumn 2025 pdf. but there are past issues to read, so I will sign up for new issues.

I have also managed to add a cover to a new Flat roof page on my Pinterest site, I am supprised that I have not included one earlier, but now I have, Its going to get some photos added.

But back to the Autumn 2025 issue, its heavy on Thatching, and rightly so, its a very traditional method of roofing, sadley the only example near to Dorridge has just beed reroofed with clay, a sad day when I saw what was happening, The article by Master thatcher Harry Roberts is a classic and should be saved as part of any ones Knowledge Base. I have used the iPhone App on Apple notes to make a pdf copy, till the complete issue is loaded to their site, hosted on the Roofing Today website.

Now something completely different, in the Develop3D magazine. If you want to keep up with the CAD industry then this is the magazine to subscribe to, its free, but does not hold back, on ant cutting edge tech, they deem interesting, and that included anything, from helmet design to Cars, to boats, and some pretty good Smart technology. again the website Develop3D has a downloadable pdf and signup page, well worth the signup. They also have a load more on the site, of interest is the Develp3D live exhibition in March 2026, a must dooo visit and its free.

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My other massive read, is Wired Magazine, its a global read, and one thats taken note of by almost all of the internet, I signed up years ago and keep my subscription, just because its so cutting edge. The site is just packed with article that often that don’t make it into the Magazine, but are just excellent.

The article on 3I/Atlas is excellent, and shows precisely the rout in and out of our solar system. not the crap that many sites try to sell. The internet, computing and AI are probably not every ones cup of tea, but I try to keep up, and Wired is the defacto magazine. Some time back, I purchased the Wired World in 2025, it was billed as a look into whats coming, and mostly is does just that, but I thought lates make a note of the interesting points, and feed that into Google Gemini, to see what it thinks, and I was supprised at the answer. The magazine is split into 10 parts:

* Technology

* Science

* Health

* Environment

* How To

* Politics

* Gear

* Business

* Culture

* Security

All interesting subjects to review, and the list together with my notes and a sort of thought process, provided Gemini with a instruction bace for comments. It was long and thoughtful, with comments often biast to my previous requests for information, its begining to know me ?

One last item and its not a magazine as such but an interesting paper by Google looking at the idea of a satellite that would be powered by solar energy, and take a massive load of AI computing away for earth based centres into these of world satellites, I found the paper via Google Scholar called Suncatcher it makes an interesting read, and the bibliography is well worth following up. You might also search google scholar for general google papers, that can be very interesting and are not behind any paywall.

Well thats it, my magazine pile has gone, I have cliped whats interesting, downloaded the pdf versions of whats interesting, and my desk looks clean,,,, for once. The only thing left is to pass on my wired magazines to my neighbour who will read, and pass on to another friend, who will do the same.

Well thats it, a short little post, but one that hides a lot of learning, and note taking, adding to my eternal Apple Notes. Some of which I have followed up with Google Gemini, and copied the link into my notes.

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#Philibert-de-l’Orme#structure #Friction #Pitched-Roof #sustainability #thinktank #Future

When designing a pitched roof, we have a number of choices, stick built, or truss, are the most common, but both need at some point quite large timber sections, and often long lengths.

I started to write this article as a section for my Future page, and it will remain as that, but I realised that it was more than a future item, it was sustainability, Structure, and a classic alternative thinking process, or an article I could so easily add to my ThinkTank website.

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When facing the high cost and scarcity of massive structural timber in 16th-century France, architect Philibert de l’Orme didn’t seek a bigger budget; he sought a smarter way forward. His masterpiece, the Bois Cintrée system, detailed in his 1561 treatise, “New Inventions for Building Well at Low Cost” is the ultimate challenge to think like an innovative designer. A copy is available on the Internet, in both the original French and as a translated text. a search in Gooogle Scholar will find many different copies, perhaps the best, is an English book, available on Google Books, describing his work, and the discovery of his method, roughly around 1800 not surprising realy as Holland was under French rule at that time and many architects were trained in France.

The Challenge: Resourcefulness Over Raw Power

If you cannot procure large, expensive, old-growth timber beams (Pannes or Cheurons) for a wide-span roof. You are limited to thin, short, common planks (often as short as four feet).

His Goal: Engineer these small, seemingly weak pieces into a single, cohesive, large-span arch capable of bearing the full weight of a roof.. De l’Orme’s Solution was the Engineering Fixation from Scratch looking at the forces he would encounter and relying on first-principles physics and geometry to solve a structural problem:

Instead of relying on the tensile strength of one large beam, De l’Orme realized that a gentle curve offers an immense contact area. His short planks are stacked as a dry laminate, with each laminate offset to its nabour, but adding laminate layers all offset to each other multiplying the surface available for connection.

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Next, instead of gluing or bonding the laminates together or clamping the laminated together with iron bolts he utilised the Power of the Wedge: and used timber connectors replacing the expensive iron fasteners with simple wooden keys (clefz). These keys, when “strongly driven in with large hammer blows” (chaffees à grands coups de marteau) into the connecting ties (Liernes), generate a massive Normal Force (N). The use of continous small purlins as the connectors, with wedges either side of the laminate truss, together with individual conectors, made the errection a simple matter of connection the planks into simple trusses read to be connects together and clamped by the use of wedges hammered into place.

The laminates were now utilising friction to increase the length of available span from one plank length to several, add the shape to the equasion and sudenly you have a curved roof, clamped together with wedges to lock the hundreds of small pieces into a single, monolithic, load-bearing arch. This results in an “incredible force” within the structure, a non-adhesive, reversible mechanical bond.

De l’Orme: Designed the joint not to resist a force, but to generate the necessary fixing force internally through the application of a simple, reversible mechanical principle, Friction. This approach—utilizing ubiquitous, inexpensive materials and maximizing strength through geometric intelligence and physics—is precisely the spirit driving contemporary modular and digital fabrication projects like WikiHouse.

The fact this simple principle was later copied on many French projects, and later spreading into negbouring Belgium and Holland, many of which are still in existinace, and recoreded in a number of Chatue repairs, shows the unique and versatile construction method, and sustainability of this design method.

In my original copy in Apple Notes, I have links to many of the items in my research and thoughts as I progressed through this article, together with conversations links to Google Gemini. I have not included then here, that is for you to do, as you expand this article into your own Knowledge Bank,with reading and downloading many of the papers available via Google Scholar, research reading and conversation are all part of the learning process, so is translating French into English.

My Google Gemini conversations are listed in the sidebar, and in my version of Gemini, I have a 3 button link to allow a URL to be generated, this is the link I use in Apple notes.

Below I have included two original drawings by Philibert de l’Orme, which I think show the method very clearly.

You might also want to watch the nice little video in Google YouTube showing the repair of the magnificent roof at Chateau Purnon France, which also shows the construction clearly.

Not included in my hashtags, but a part of my Apple Notes is a link to some Japanese Carpentry methods, and systemic test showing how their timber structures remained in place when concrete and other ridged structuures did not,Its the comparison to carpentry I saw as a link, again do your own research.

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