Pfründnerhäuser, Timber-framed architectural ensemble in Altenhof, Essen, Germany.
The Pfründnerhäuser is an ensemble of timber-framed houses with exposed wooden beams and white-painted walls forming a distinctive pattern. The several connected buildings display the typical construction method of the period with carefully fitted wooden frames.
These houses were built during a time when timber-frame construction was the primary building method for residential structures in this region. They remain from an established building tradition that had proven itself over a long period.
These buildings show craft traditions that were passed down through generations in this neighborhood. They reflect how people once built and lived together in their community.
The location is easily reached by public transportation and the exterior is accessible year-round. Visitors can view the buildings from outside and observe the timber-frame details from the street.
The buildings display carefully crafted wooden joints that reflect characteristic patterns of the local craft tradition. Each connection was made without nails and held together through the precise shaping of the beams.
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