Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd.

Mortuary House, UBC Museum of Anthropology

The Mortuary House is one of two buildings created and over seen by Bill Reid and Doug Cranmer in the 1950's and is a permanent exhibit at the MOA. They are surrounded by totems and represent a scene from a Haida village in the 19^th century. The Mortuary House and the larger Haida House are both builtin the Haida style and tradition using Western red cedar for the massive roof purlins, posts and planks that form the structures.

The roof covering of both buildings was of sawn cedar boards laid in board on board fashion and intended to replicate the traditional roof covering of Haida buildings. Over the years since their construction, water ingress had caused serious decay of the roof purlins on both buildings. In 2009 M&L carried out major repairs and replacements to the roof of the Haida House and in 2010 the Museum of Anthropology asked M&L to carry out similar works to the Mortuary House.

The work required stripping off the original roof boards and removing the large purlins, all of which were in need or replacement. Some of the new purlins were sourced by re-sawing the old purlins from the Haida House which are much larger and despite their decayed condition, still contained much good timber. The remainder were sawn from new cedar logs.

Once installed, the purlins were covered by sawn cedar and a plywood deckand water proof membrane. These modern materials were then covered by large, hand split cedar planks laid in traditional fashion with copper flashings.

M&L are very proud to have played a part in conserving these important cultural buildings. The traditional hand split roof boards are a fitting addition to both buildings and significantly enhance the experience of visitors to this exhibit at the museum.