STR300A24 Stereotomy: Timber Framing Essentials
Timber framing is a time-tested method of building structures of any size — from a backyard pergola to a multi-story home. Long before nail guns (or nails) were ever invented, carpenters were hand-cutting sturdy timbers and interlocking them with pegged mortise and tenon joinery to create open and elegant structures that endured hundreds of years. From Japan to Europe to the Americas, the rich tradition of timber framing spans continents and millennia.
Unlike contemporary “stick built” construction, timber framing employs the much of the same wood joinery as in furniture making. It also allows more flexible design potential, with a strong outer structure that requires fewer interior walls for support.
In this unforgettable learning experience, master carpenter Patrick Moore brings his extensive understanding of heritage carpentry to SWSW for an immersive class in timber framing, as students learn how to build a beautiful outdoor gazebo.
Whether you have any experience with home-building or not, this hands-on workshop will provide you with a solid foundation in structural timber framing.
Patrick will guide you into the classical art of timber framing, starting with layout and joinery, as well as how to plan your design with intuitive, life-sized floor sketches that eliminate the need for complex calculations.
Working collaboratively, students will use their newfound skills to build and assemble an elegant timber-framed gazebo in just five days.
As the gazebo takes shape, you will be able to learn, assimilate, and effectively apply the key skills of timber frame construction. By the time the week draws to a close, you will have the basic knowledge and expertise to succeed in building your own timber-framed structures in the future. You will also take home the construction drawings for the gazebo, so you can replicate it in your own backyard.
Key Points:
- Overview of the design processes
- Traditional joinery techniques and modern alternatives for efficient construction
- Essential tools and equipment for the craft
- Practical, hands-on experience in crafting and erecting timber frames
- Timber selection and preparation for optimal strength and durability
- Sustainability considerations in timber framing
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving in construction scenarios
Please read and understand our Refund and Cancellation policies. By making payment you acknowledge that you have read and understood these policies.
Please note: If you are paying by cash or check, your registration is not complete until payment is received.
Safety
Eye, hearing and dust protection are required in the machine room or when operating machines in the bench room.
Long sleeves and loose-fitting clothing are not allowed around the power equipment. Long hair must be pulled back and secured.
Closed-toe shoes are required. Open-toed shoes or sandals are not allowed.
COVID Policy: Masks are optional, however, if you are exhibiting symptoms of any contagious illness or if you have had a positive test for COVID or influenza within the past 5 days, please notify the school and do not attend class.
Thank you for your understanding.
Meet your Instructor
Canadian woodworker Patrick Moore has developed a passion for historical carpentry and has dedicated himself to reviving the knowledge of Stereotomy, as it was traditionally taught to journeyman carpenters in France, especially at the famed School of Applied Stereotomy founded in 1871 by master craftsman Pierre Francois Guillon. In pursuit of this ambition, Patrick has studied at craft schools throughout Europe as well as the United States and Canada and, in 2013, became the first and only woodworker from the Americas to complete the traditional “Tour-de-France” of carpentry training and to be recognized as a Compagnon Passant Charpentier. Patrick teaches Stereotomy at schools in the United States and Canada, using his own designs to help contemporary woodworkers access these sophisticated techniques.