Teaching of zimmermeister is our landmark
The First Zimmermeister Guild
("Zimmermeister" means a traditional carpenter in German)
First Carpenters Guild was founded in Germany in 1152. Its purpose was supporting of carpenters, their registration and their professional training. The rank of Zimmermeister was awarded to the one who has learned the profession of a carpenter and made a 'Journey of Zimmermeister’.
Journey of Zimmermeister
That Journey lasted 3 years and one day, and at that time period, the man could not come to his home closer than 50 km. The journey’s objective was visiting different countries to study their methods of construction, as well as familiarity with different cultures. Many apprentices reached, during their travels, even Arab countries.
But the main directions of wandering were Southern and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Norway and Sweden. They did not reach Finland, unfortunately. The reason for that was isolation of Finland, which had prevented apprentices to walk to that northern country. While in Latvia, for example, the traditions of the Carpenters Guild have been observed until now.
During his journey, the apprentice had to keep a diary of his travels – Wanderungbuch. The apprentice wrote in his diary all the places where he had worked. To be recognized, Wanderungbuch should have signatures of all apprentice’s employers.
Dress of Zimmermeister
The apprentice was dressed in traditional dress, which had been preserved to this day. The costume was sewn of velvet, pants had wide trouser legs. His outfit included a wide-brimmed hat and vest with eight buttons, which symbolized the eight hours working day. His jacket had six buttons, which symbolized the six working days a week. A walking stick, which the apprentice had made himself, completed his outfit.
Having made his journey, the apprentice should pass an exam - «Zimmermeister Pr?fung». When he had passed it, he became a Zimmermeister. Zimmermeister was appreciated as an honest professional who had earned his title through his hard work and perseverance, and he was it in reality.
Zimmermeister School
Now, Zimmermeister School includes 3-year vocational school and 5- or 6-year internship. At the end of the training, exam for Zimmermeister Rank should be passed. Even in our days, about 15% of students choose the traditional journey to other countries, lasting 3 years and one day, instead of the home internships. After their journey, they can take an exam for Zimmermeister Rank and receive a diploma. Still, professional carpenters consider only them as real Zimmermeister.
Professional Pride and Traditions
Zimmermeister Guild has a lot of traditions. Making money is not the main purpose Zimmermeister. The desire to be a master, who deserves credit for what he does, is the main thing for him. The existing culture of Zimmermeister Guild proves that experience and new knowledge, which are transmitted from generation to generation, create wonderful professional skills.
Nowadays, the Doctrine of Zimmermeister Guild is implemented in the policy of Lumi Polar Company for construction of Finnish wooden houses. Desire to satisfy our customer’s wishes, is a driving force of our company.
Legacy of Zimmermeister Guild
When constructing the Finnish wooden houses, the German master of the Guild of Zimmermeister taught us many things. They taught Lumi Polar employees different methods of construction and serious attitude to their work, and first of all - professional honor, which should be a base of any business. They taught us to build high quality and reliable wooden houses.
In Germany, only the person, who has passed exam for Zimmermeister Rank, may register a construction company. This ensures certain experience of a construction firm management, and guarantees the quality of the work. Zimmermeister always represents his company, and therefore, construction companies always have the same names as their founders.
Demonstration of Skills
Now, while developing our activities, we use the traditions of Zimmermeister Guild. Competition is not important for the Zimmermeister, demonstration of his skills is more important for him. Lumi Polar Company has recovered professional pride in the building of wooden houses, and we are proud of the high quality of our work.
Construction of wooden houses without patches (all kinds of racks, to cover the gap between the logs) was one of the most important components of our traditions. The customer’s impression of our work is the most important matter for us. During construction of our Finnish wooden houses, we always follow the principles of Zimmermeister Betrieb.