half-timbering
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half-timbering
A construction method in which the supporting frame of a building consists of wooden beams and the spaces between them are filled with a clay-straw mixture, bricks, or other materials.
Viele Altstädte in Deutschland sind für ihre gut erhaltenen Häuser mit malerischem Fachwerk bekannt.
Many old towns in Germany are known for their well-preserved houses with picturesque half-timbering.
The word is made up of 'Fach' and 'Werk'. Here, 'Fach' refers to the space between the wooden beams ('das Gefach'), and 'Werk' means a construction. So it is literally a 'construction made of compartments'.
Das Fachwerk des alten Rathauses ist wunderschön.
The half-timbering of the old town hall is beautiful.
The word is very often used in the compound 'Fachwerkhaus' (half-timbered house). Other typical combinations are 'altes Fachwerk sanieren' (to renovate old half-timbering) or 'freigelegtes Fachwerk' (exposed half-timbering).
In der Altstadt stehen viele alte Fachwerkhäuser.
There are many old half-timbered houses in the old town.
Fachwerk (half-timbering) is a typical feature of traditional architecture in Germany. Many historic town centers are famous for their half-timbered houses and popular with tourists.
Unsere Ferienwohnung befindet sich in einem Haus mit historischem Fachwerk.
Our vacation apartment is in a house with historic half-timbering.
scaffolding / framework
'das Gerüst' and 'das Fachwerk' can both have to do with a load-bearing structure on a building. However, 'Gerüst' is usually only temporary and is put up on the outside so that people can work on the building. 'Fachwerk' is part of the building itself: it is a construction method with wooden beams and filled-in spaces between them. The words can be confused because in half-timbering, a framework of beams is also visible. The important point is: a 'Gerüst' is taken down again after the work is finished, while 'Fachwerk' remains as the house's construction style.
In der Altstadt haben viele Häuser schönes Fachwerk aus dunklen Holzbalken.
In the old town, many houses have beautiful half-timbering made of dark wooden beams.
Nach der Renovierung wurde das Gerüst vor der Fassade wieder abgebaut.
After the renovation, the scaffolding in front of the facade was taken down again.