Over the last two decades, the historic craft of timber framing in residential construction has experienced a revival. Experience the fundamentals of designing and constructing a timber frame using mortise and tenon joinery. Students will learn layout techniques, tool use and sharpening, and joinery cutting methods as we work on a small timber frame project, culminating in a raising on the final day. Evening lectures will address the history of the craft, finishing techniques, and mechanical systems for timber frame houses. We will also cover frame design, joinery choices, and integration of frame and house design. This course will focus on traditional hand-cut joinery and tools and will also demonstrate some of the power tools used by modern timber framers.

Reviews:

"The hands on experience of cutting and raising a frame is invaluable. Being able to ask questions and pick the brains of experienced and professional timber framers is something that a book cannot provide. I only wish there was more time to delve into the subject, from the cutting procedure and joinery choices to closing-in methods"

"What was the most valuable part of the course? "Getting to learn from two masters. I don't think that there is anything that could substitute for the years of experience the two of them have. I think that's why it's so easy to learn from them because they've seen it all and they know how to fix everything and guide you through the hard parts."