Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd.

COWICHAN VALLEY, BC - Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd. has been recognized for outstanding achievement in historic rehabilitation for its work on the Olson-Long Barn, a large and historically important barn that reportedly dates from 1887.

During the annual awards by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officer Dr. Allyson Brooks said the award acknowledges the meticulous preservation approach used by Macdonald & Lawrence.

Macdonald & Lawrence kept as much of the historic fabric as possible, said Dr. Brooks. Unlike many contractors, they fully documented their work and made recommendations for future preservation efforts.

Gordon Macdonald, managing director of M&L, first inspected the barn in December 2007 and provided options to owner Vonda Long for its preservation. In June 2008, Gordon led the 3-man team that diligently completed the work.

It's an exhilarating process to unravel the story of a historic building and develop a plan to conserve it for future generations, said Gordon. Overall, our work went exceptionally well.

The M&L team rehabilitated the barn using a careful mix of modern technology plus centuries-old craft techniques. The repair work also had to be coordinated with the ranch's need to use the buildings each day.

With new timber frames, most of our work takes place at our Cobble Hill shop before we erect the frame on site; however, when it's an existing structure, the work is often completely site-based, said Gordon. The planning is more complex as we must adapt to situations that present themselves as the work progresses.