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…

Since at least 300 AD, the birch bark and sod roof has been the most important roof type in Scandinavia for heated homes. The sod both insulates and protects the waterproof bark layer from sunlight and wind. This combination can last 50-70 years before the birch bark needs replacing. The…

The Norwegian countryside is scattered with eye-catching wooden structures with sod roofs, steeped in the history of families making their living in the beautiful but harsh landscape. Reaching back centuries, each structure was designed and constructed for a specific purpose: storing grain, livestock, textiles, or even serving as the wedding…

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 some timbers…

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…

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…

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, or structure for your community or organization, the beauty and durability of a timber frame structure…

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…