Traditional Estonian Log Building with Hand and Power Tools
Hans-on workshop about traditional log building using both hand and power tools. Over the six-days log building workshop, you’ll learn traditional Estonian log-building by cutting and raising a traditional smoke sauna (suitsusaun), a small log building that is an iconic form in Estonian vernacular architecture. We are practicing log scribing with hand tools like it was done originally in old days, but we also teach to use power tools with nowadays technique. The workshop is 100% practical – working robe and ability to handle woodworking tools is expected.
During the course you join the process of building 3 x 5 m sauna with dove tail joints. Cutting up sauna takes usually 5-6 weeks, during the course the wall rise few rows, but all the stages of log house building will be covered.
It was decided to add smoke sauna tradition to UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. You’ll definitely have a chance to get part of the traditional sauna culture during your stay.
The Dates
The workshop is held full days from April 28 to May 3, 2025. The days start at 9AM and last until 5MP. Full lodging is provided from Sunday April 27 evening to Sunday May 4 morning. On the morning of May 4th there is a big flee market in the Mooste manor yard right in front of the quest house.
The Group
The course is designed for non-Estonian speakers and will be held in English (and French). Space is limited to 12 participants; please register early. During the past years there have been participants from all over the world, from Canada to Australia, and also many English speakers from Estonia!
The Tutors
Margus Palolill, is carpenter and teacher of Estonian traditional log-building. Born and raised in Southeast Estonia where heritage buildings are still amply present, he started with carpentry at the age of 20, first taking interest in shingle roofs and later in various traditional building styles – log-house, timber frame and earth building.
Germain Joyet is a building carpenter and cabinet maker. Originally from France, Germain has lived in Estonia since 2015, after participating in Vanaajamaja’s first international log building course in 2014. With his engineering education, he is skilled in making building drawings, designing furniture, and making windows and doors. But above all, he is passionate about traditional woodworking, such as timber framing and log building.
Training site
The course will be held in the Vanaajamaja Center for Traditional Building. It is located in the small village of Mooste, in southern Estonia. The Center is a renovated old grain dryer next by the grand complex of well-preserved 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. All tools needed during the course and safety equipment for participants are made available on the training site. However, if you have your favorite hand tools you are used to, bring them along without a hesitation.
Accommodation
Accommodations are at the small private Mooste guesthouse (double occupancy), which is a restored building in the historic manor complex. All meals will be provided with an emphasis on local food.
Cost
920 EUR, includes everything in-country: tuition, accommodation, all meals, sauna evening. Full lodging is provided from Sunday April 27 evening to Sunday May 4 morning. Participants are responsible for their own international transport, travel insurance, and extra-curricular costs.
We are expecting the deposit of participation fee (200 eur) to be paid within two weeks after registration to guarantee a spot for the participant. Deposit is not refundable. The rest of the tuition (720 eur) is to be paid by March 1st.
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. Vanaajaamaja has been hosting workshops and organizing training courses for Estonian carpenters since 1998.
More information/questions: info@vanaajamaja.ee; +372 56658117
Photo: Leif Botzojorns at the International competion for handcrafted log house builders in the spring 2024 in Räpina, Estonia. Leif participated our log building course in 2017 and built his own log sauna at his family home in Vermont few years later.
Photo by: Mikk Otsar and Woodhouse Estonia
Video: Building Smoke Sauna with Hand Tools (2019)
Mooste is a unique village in southeast Estonia with an active international community of crafts people, builders, artists and musicians: housed within the historic setting of the local manor. In this short video Mooste is introduced by Germain Joyet. Germain came to know Vanaajamaja and Mooste through several visits to Estonia. After a Vanaajamaja smoke sauna building workshop in April 2014, Germain decided to buy an old house in Mooste and renovate it for himself.
Previous courses:
Koolituse toimumise koht:
Vanaajamaja koolituskeskus
