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Who has the world's largest timber-framed building? A developer in Kentucky claims his organization holds the title. Ken Ham, the president of a religious group called Answers in Genesis, has been constructing a gargantuan replica of Noah's Ark with the goal of opening it as a Christian theme park.
Enter a caption (optional)To be honest, I couldn't confirm that this is the absolute largest timber-framed building in the world, but the AIG organization is vehemently claiming it is. In any case the thing is certainly huge, stretching some 510 feet in length. Take a look at the size of these tenons:
Enter a caption (optional)Here's a flyover and partial fly-through of the nearly-completed construction:
The attraction will be called Ark Encounter and is due to open this July. Things may or may not go smoothly, as the organization is currently drawing fire: They've announced that they will only hire Christians to staff the park, a policy that seems to flout anti-discrimination hiring laws. We won't touch that with a ten-foot pole, since we have no interest in getting into a religious debate.
We are, however, very interested in why unicorns didn't manage to book passage on the fabled Ark. Religious officials and biblical experts have not provided compelling explanations, so following Core77's tradition of excellence in journalism, we have conducted our own research into the matter. Below are the results of our investigation, providing two plausible theories:
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I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
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The World's Largest Timber-Framed Building is Almost Complete—and It's a Replica of Noah's Ark
Another plausible theory, from the Irish Rovers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EPsuOEH1fY
"replica of Noah's Ark" How do they know?
In Buenos Aires we have the rare distinction of having the first "Biblical amusement park". A bizarre recreation of Middle East in South America, complete with animatronics of the creation and other bible passages, Argentine barbecue and twice a day crucifixion and resurrection. Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b-qbbZ-QtM
One has to congratulate Ham & Co on a massive effort, but it is a theme park like any other. From the other videos they have it seems that the Ark is really just a building with half an Ark in front of it. Unlike the Dutch version mentioned below, this one could not float in a puddle much less a flood.
Well if it starts raining real bad, Noah could build six arks at once inside the Tillamook Air Museum here on the Orygun coast.
Wow, that looks like a giant waste of money, think of all the products that could have been designed to help people in need instead. WOW, shocking how blinded by religion some people can be.
An ark by definition is a chest as was the ark of the covenant. It was to float with the "kinds" on board and didn't need a bow as depicted. Genesis us quite clear as with the very first prophecy at Gen 3:15.
"gargantuan replica of Noah's Ark"... would imply they know what the original (!?) looked like.
The bible left some pretty clear dimensions (Genesis 6:14-16), then I guess he just blagged the rest of the design