Traditional American timber-framing course
Traditional American timber-framing course
One-Week Timber Framing Intensive. Over the course of six days we will delve into the traditional art of American timber framing. The timber framing traditions brought to America by European settlers evolved quickly in a new setting. Square rule layout was an American innovation which wasn’t adopted in Europe, but which had distinct advantages over the traditional European scribing techniques. It is based on the idea of a theoretical ideal timber inside of the actual, imperfect timber at hand, and allows for the production of interchangeable parts that don’t require scribing and pre-fitting prior to assembly, thereby saving much time and effort. We will use these techniques to draw and cut a small timber frame using a combination of hand and power tools. Topics covered will include frame design considerations, joinery design, layout on twisted and deformed timber, and working with green (unseasoned) wood.
The class frame will be available for purchase after the workshop. All questions to: info@vanaajamaja.ee.
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The Dates
The workshop is held on February 17-22, 2020. Full lodging is provided from Sunday Feb 16 evening to Sunday Feb 23 morning.
February in Estonia is not for weak ones – be prepared that it’s dark, cold and gloomy. But those who dear to risk may experience crisp, snow-white northern winter.
The Group
The course will be held in English. Space is limited to 8 participants; please register early.
The tutor
Raivo Vihman is American-Estonian living in Maine, USA. He spent four years as a journeyman carpenter before founding Haystack Joinery, a design-build studio dedicated to sculptural timber framing and other woodwork, in Maine, USA in 2008. He studied traditional drafting and lofting practices with the French trades guild Les Compagnons du Devoir in Angers, France and continues to use these techniques in his work. He has taught timber framing and related classes at Penland School of Craft (NC), Haystack Mountain School of Craft (ME), Waterfall Arts Center (ME), Viljandi Cultural Academy (Estonia), and Tabonuco (Puerto Rico).
Training site
The course will be held in the Vanaajamaja Center for Traditional Building and Craft. It is located in the small village of Mooste, in southern Estonia. The Center is a renovated old grain dryer surrounded by 16th-century Mooste Manor. The Training Center consists of a broad workshop with enormous two-story heritage protected kiln oven, seminar room with exposition of traditional building materials, a small kitchenette for coffee breaks and a Finish sauna.
Accommodations
are at the Mooste guesthouse, which is a restored building in the historic manor complex. All meals will be provided, with an emphasis on local food. Full lodging is provided from Sunday Feb 16 evening to Sunday Feb 23 morning.
Cost
720 EUR, includes everything in-country: tuition, accommodation, all meals.
Participants are responsible for their transport, travel insurance, and extra-curricular costs.
Organizer
The course will be hosted by Vanaajamaja, an Estonian non-profit organization dedicated to establishing training programs, disseminating information, and generally serving as a center of Estonian traditional building and log house renovation for the professional and general public alike. Vanaajaamaja has been hosting workshops and organizing training courses for Estonian carpenters since 1998.
More information/questions: info@vanaajamaja.ee
Koolituse toimumise koht:
Vanaajamaja koolituskeskus
