A recent trip down south to Dunedin to immerse ourselves in the Women's World Cup action also saw a visit to Larnach Castle. It was an absolutely stunning day and really captured this magnificent building and grounds in a special way.

As a cabinet making family, all timber, joinery, cabinetry that is encounted on any family adventure is admired, critiqued & scrutinised, often much to the frustration of the mini Podocarp team! Now it is widely know that New Zealand does not home the oldest architecture, however it still captures the essence of ancient crafting & joinery, Larnach Castle being a beautiful example. Larnach Castle itself was built in 1871, so very recent in the realms of history, and took around 12 years to complete the embellishment of the internal interior after completion of the build. 

As well as the lavish timber cornicing, detailed carvings & extravagant furniture, it was the window joinery that really topped the conversation during this outing. You may be able to see in one of the images in this blog, that the joinery at Larnach Castle composes of two single glazed sashes with a large cavity between the two, in some rooms, there was evidence of three sashes (imagine the depth of the total joinery!!). It was at this time, the 19th Century that the history of double glazing dates back too. Double glazing being the technique used in window and door construction that involves creating a sealed space between two layers of glass to enhance insulation and improve energy efficiency. In this early stage of insulation advances, the double glass layer was created simply by inserting two seperate sashes into the frames. The pulleys on these traditional sashes were also chain rather than rope in some cases. A simple but great example of demonstrating the evolution the evolution of a technology that has become a significant contributor to energy conservation and environmental sustainability in the construction industry.

To give a brief history lesson on wider cabinetry whilst we are on the topic; the ancient Egyptians (3000 BCE) were amongst the earliest of civilisations to construct cabinets for storage and decorative purpose. It was then the Chinese around 1000 BCE who started using advanced joinery techniques. The Greeks then pushed the crafting skills further producing cabinets known as 'Klinai' for the housing of scrolls & other important writings. Medieval Europe (5-15th Century CE) brought us the stunning chests and armoires, as well as larger furniture items. They were crafted by skilled guild members. These cabinets were mostly ornate and adorned with religious symbols. It was then the turn of the French & Italian during the Renaissance, with refined finesse & artistry. The 17th Century was the Baroque and Rococo eras, cabinet making reached new heights of opulence and extravagance. Cabinets were heavily ornamented with carved motifs, gilding, and exotic veneers. It was until 19th and 20th centuries that Industrialisation brought significant changes to cabinet making. Mass production techniques made furniture more accessible to a broader population. However, skilled craftsmen continued to create high-quality, handcrafted cabinets for the affluent. Catching up to more present times, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco influences saw a resurgence in cabinetry & furniture. Modernist designers and architects also made significant contributions to the evolution of cabinet making, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and innovative materials.

Today, cabinet making continues to be an important craft, combining traditional techniques with modern technology to create a wide range of functional and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions for homes and businesses. Skilled artisans and cabinetmakers continue to honour the rich history of their craft while incorporating contemporary design sensibilities. Something that we here at Podocarp Cabinetry are proud to be part of.