Courses

Learn the planning, layout and joinery necessary to construct a traditional timber frame (post and beam) structure, such as North House's blacksmith shop, bread oven shelter, fish house classroom and other structures around campus.  The course begins with the basic mortise and tenon joint, and then expands on these techniques…

Before Sketch Up and other CAD programs, timber framers brought a low-tech but highly skilled approach to layout. Techniques for lay-out varied depending on geography: German methods, French methods, Japanese methods and American methods all differ. Using the method he learned in German trade school, instructor Gerald David will lead…

This course takes us back to a time when the building process was mostly human powered. Starting with a stack of freshly cut logs we will use a combination of felling axes and broad axes to make square timber. For the smaller scantlings (smaller cross sectioned timbers) we will re-saw…

A sturdy, timbered outdoor bench will invite years of use and is perfect for long conversations, a short break from walking or simply watching the world go by. This unique bench design borrows joinery common to timber-frame construction and utilizes rough cut, sustainably harvested white pine timbers. It’s beautiful, comfortable…

The goal for this course is to have the students develop a practical approach to sharpening hand tools (chisels, planes, gouges, knives, axes, drawknives, etc.).  We will examine general approaches to achieving the final goal of a sharp edge for any tool under consideration, and discuss specific steps relative to…

Move the timber frame design out of your head and onto the screen using SketchUp, a 3D computer aided design program very well suited for modeling timber frame designs. This is great for demonstrating designs to clients and for estimating costs, but it is also flexible and accurate enough to…

With a few simple tools, it’s possible to add tasteful details to a project of any size, such as a date, plant leaf or flower, a name, or logo. This class will be especially geared towards timber framers who would like to add a few basic carving techniques to their…

Even the most simple timber frame structures require careful attention to basic engineering principles. Gain insight into how to design like a timber-framer but think like an engineer in this introductory course. Starting with a basic overview of how to determine the forces one can expect a traditional timber frame…

The course focuses on the traits that make engineering of roof framing more challenging. Topics such as mitigating eave thrust as well as unbalanced loading will be covered, culminating in the sizing of members and connections for a king post truss. Investigation of other truss forms will be provided as…

This course offers students the opportunity to immerse fully in the craft of Norwegian timber framing by building a custom-designed structure in the Grindbygg style. Whether creating a woodshed, carport, getaway cabin, woodshop or retirement home, the unique beauty and durability of a Grindbygg structure offers a unique opportunity to…

This course offers students the opportunity to immerse fully in the craft of timber framing by building a larger and/or a custom-designed timber frame structure. Whether creating a getaway cabin, woodshop or retirement home, the beauty and durability of a timber frame structure offers a unique opportunity to literally build…

Tired of unimaginative, small outbuilding kits available from your local lumberyard? Explore all the basic elements of timber frame construction and take home a hand-crafted building. More than 100 timber frame buildings have been built and raised throughout the country by North House students since 1997.  During the first days…

The 2018 TF Gathering will be filled to overflowing with all things timber framing –workshops, storytelling, pre-gathering course offerings and abundant woodchips. The Gathering begins on Friday night, with an Open House, tour of the North House timber framed campus buildings and film screening to kick things off. Saturday will…