Abundance of wood for relaxing effect

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 593, 4 July 1995, Page 13 (Supplement)

Abundance of wood for relaxing effect

Although at first glance it may appear to be a "log building" the spectacular Powderhorn Chateau is unique, representing a combination of different building materials and styles. It has been a long-term project right from the start with much structural work done around the original Carter homestead. An internal structure of steel and concrete (70 tonnes of concrete were poured to ensure the building is solidly anchored), and the additional strength of the wood means the building is now able to withstand a jolt measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale. When asked why they used so much wood instead of steel and concrete, owner Paul Scarf says the atmosphere created by wood is unrivalled by other building materials. "As well as being very strong structurally, wood reallyiielps people to relax. Most of our guests come to escape from the hectic pace of city life, and want to unwind. Being surrounded by all this timber really aids that process." A wide variety of wood has been used in the building, with rimu, macrocarpa, douglas fir, and redwood all being sourced locally. From the raw "To keep costs down we worked with raw materials wherever possible," says Wayne Gunnell who, along with Alastair Grey, was responsible for all the woodwork in the building. "This involved trips to the Erua and Tangiwai forests, where we would select the logs we wanted. The logs would then be handpeeled, planed up, and have any reeesses cut that were necessary. The logs used in the trusses were then bolted together before being lifted into place by crane." Each of the main internal trusses weighs 2.5 tonne, and the 236 chainsaw cuts necessary for each truss meant that one truss took about a week to make. The biggest log used in the building was 4.5 tonne 'Big Bertha' which you can see running out from the ski shop above the carpark.

An engineering surveyor by trade, Wayne Gunnell discovered log building in Canada in 1983, and has been involved in the industry ever since.

"I was on holiday there, and was just having a look around when I saw a log cabin being built. I've always enjoyed working with wood, it's just turned into a

job." The Powderhorn Chateau has taken about four years of planning, designing, and collecting timber, and approximately 18

months to construct. 'The worst time of the whole project was when we

had the roof off the restaurant, and rain came through the tarps. We had to give

diners a glass and tell them that water was free for the night," j'oked Paul.