Course detail

Crafts Techniques

FA-RET-NEAcad. year: 2023/2024

Basic knowledge of crafts techniques, used materials, and methods in joinery production represent essential knowledge for architects when they create interior and exterior furniture elements from solid wood and other wood-based products. The use of theoretical knowledge is practically demonstrated in the lessons and each student actively participates in the production of structural connections and final furniture element. Practical lessons of crafts techniques introduce students to operation of joiner´s workshop, occupational safety, used materials, technologies, as well as to the design and production of a furniture element which is designed for a particular architectural space.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jiří Tauber, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Spatial Design (UPT)

Entry knowledge

Not applicable.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

To be awarded the credit, students have to:
  • participate actively in all practicals in the workshops, and complete all the assigned tasks.
  • submit a furniture element as assigned (a signature design furniture piece – stool, coffee table, chair, coat stand, lamp, interior accessory etc.).

Students have to participate in the practicals in the workshops, with a possibility to compensate during the exam period. During the practicals, students are instructed in occupational safety and health protection, and work safety with technical equipment. Students are required to participate in at least ten practicals and the introductory lecture/instruction on OSH, which is a condition for the following participation in practicals.

Aims

The course Crafts Techniques introduces the students of bachelor study programme to the basics of joinery production. Students are instructed in occupational safety and health protection when working with hand tools and machines in a specialized woodworking workshop, so that the students were able to work individually on their creative project in the workshop, and in the following courses and design studios.
  • Students will gain basic knowledge about hand work of joinery timber and will learn working with common woodworking hand tools.
  • Students will gain basic knowledge about machine work with joinery timber and will learn working with basic machinery and electric woodworking hand tools.
  • Students will gain knowledge about the production and use of basic joinery connections.
  • Students will acquire the basic characteristics of wood-based materials.
  • Students will be able to select an appropriate structure and materials.
  • Students will be familiar with the principles of occupational safety.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

FORRESTER, Paul a Michelle PICKERING. The woodworker's technique bible: the essential illustrated reference. Ontario: Firefly Books, 2009. ISBN 1554074886. (EN)
LANG, Robert W. Great book of shop drawings for craftsman furniture: authentic and fully detailed plans for projects you can build. Revised & expanded second edition. East Petersburg, PA: Fox Chapel Publishing, 2017. ISBN 978-1565239180. (EN)
KORN, Peter. Woodworking basics: mastering the essentials of craftsmanship. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, c2003. ISBN 978-1561586202. (EN)
FLEXNER, Bob. Understanding wood finishing: how to select and apply the right finish. 3rd revised edition. Mount Joy, PA: Fox Chapel Publishing, 2021. ISBN 978-1497101470. (EN)
HOADLEY, R. Bruce. Understanding wood: a craftsman's guide to wood technology. [Emeryville, CA]: Publishers Group West [distributor], c2000. ISBN 978-1561583584. (EN)
PEKOVICH, Michael. Foundations of woodworking. Newtown, CT: The Taunton, Press, 2021. ISBN 978-1641551625. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BE_A+U Bachelor's, 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jiří Tauber, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Semester block schedule:
  1. Introduction and Occupational Safety and Health instruction (1 × 1 hour lecture):
    • course requirements, hand tools and machines in the workshop
    • safety and health instruction for working in woodworking workshop
  2. Practicals in workshops (12 × two-hour practical):
    • hand tools and machine working of product components, production of joinery connections
    • materials used for production and their characteristics
    • completion and assembly of the product, finishing and surface finish
    • practical production of a particular product