There are many reasons to live small. This course aims to inspire and educate students in the process of building their own economical and environmentally sustainable simple starter home or guesthouse.

This class will include instruction on framing up and finishing out an 8’ x 16’ cabin. The house will be a built using locally milled beams and butt and pass construction techniques. Features include windows, a custom built door, a kitchen counter, wood floors and a metal roof. The structure will be built indoors at North House Folk School by the owner and other students under the guidance of two skilled instructors. The course will cover how to use power tools safely and effectively (circular saw, table saw, bandsaw, miter saw, drills). The finished house will rest on a pair of skids, and can be transported via trailer. Participant will be responsible for arranging transportation for the tiny house; local options and contacts available upon request.

The tiny house will be built to function both on or off-grid. This course will focus on the technical details of construction: design concepts, alternative building materials. In addition, the course will include discussions about living a low-impact lifestyle: alternatives for toilets and bathing, solar electric set-up, rainwater collection, etc. Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own plans, dreams, ideas and visions.

Cancellation Policy
Given the unique nature and small size of this course, please note that North House uses separate tuition payment & cancellation policies for managing this course. The intent of these policies is to ensure that all students can be confident that the course will occur as planned once adequate enrollment is achieved.

Specifics of these policies are as follows: upon enrollment a registration deposit of at least 1/3 of the course tuition is required, more than sixty (60) days prior to the course all but $50 of the registration deposit is refundable, sixty (60) to thirty (30) days prior to the course the entire registration is nonrefundable, at thirty (30) days prior to the course the balance of the tuition payment is due all of which is nonrefundable. Should North House be required to cancel the course, all tuition payments will be refunded.

Building community is integral to the learning process at North House Folk School.  Although you have registered to build your own project, there will be other students assisting in the construction process of your project during this course as a way to share the learning journey as a community of learners. If you have specific concerns regarding the process of construction, please notify North House Folk School.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• tool belt [pouch]
• hammer
• 20 foot tape measure
• carpenter pencil
• utility knife
• dust masks (respirator)

• speed square
• framing square
• chalk line
• cordless drill
• palm sander
• block plane

Feel free to bring your favorite tools and whatever materials you might feel appropriate for this course.