Scribed Timber Framing
Scribed Timber Framing Workshop
We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to learn the essentials of Scribed Timber Framing with carpenter and teacher Adam Miller.
This 6-day intensive course will teach several approaches to joining timbers with scribe techniques, which lend themselves to organic and natural forms. The use of plumb and level as universal references is emphasized through the application of the traditional French scribe, bubble scribing, and other methodologies. Scribing is a powerful method that allows you to build with organic, out of square, or twisted timbers.
Emphasis will be placed on “reading” the materials at hand to mark and create structurally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing joinery. All students will participate hands-on in laying out timbers, marking and cutting joinery, and raising the frame. This is a full-spectrum, start-to-finish project that will involve students in every step of the process.
Through this hands-on practice, students will learn:
- The art of connecting round to square timbers and round to round timbers
- Specific tools and techniques for scribing and efficient timber framing
- Selecting and preparing timbers for construction
- A range of scribing techniques and how to effectively apply each
As a well-established educational center, you will also see many prime examples of earth-building or strawbale infill for timber frames at the Canelo Project.
Although scribed timber framing is a more challenging and advanced method, the instructors are committed to cultivating a safe and welcoming environment for all learners, and will provide one-on-one guidance and support.
LOGISTICS
- Dates: This course begins with orientation and dinner Saturday evening 6pm, April 12, and ends Friday, April 18, at 5pm. Dinner that final evening and breakfast the following morning will be provided.
- Tools: This course will primarily utilize hand tools for both layout and cutting of timber frame joinery. The most frequently used tools will be a pencil, plumb bob, straight edge, hand saw, chisel, gouge, and mallet. A recommended list of tools will be shared with students. Students are not required to bring tools, but are welcome to do so.
- Meals: All meals are included in the workshop price.
- Accommodations: Camping and bunkroom beds are available and included in the worshop. We have a few private rooms available for an extra cost.
- Deposit: A $400 deposit is required to register for this workshop
Read more as you register on our General Workshop Info
Daily Workshop Schedule
- Arrival previous evening, dinner at 7pm, introductions 8pm
- Introduction to scribe timber framing history, practice, and design
- Begin full-scale floor layouts
- Introduction to laying up scribe assemblies and marking
- Intro to tools
- Sharpening tools
- Choosing hand and power tools
- Continue layout and cutting
- Milling demo
- Evening workshop on traditional geometric drawing techniques
- Continue layout and cutting
- Begin secondary assemblies
- Blacksmithing demo
- Complete cutting
- Assemble them to prepare for raising
- Canelo Tour
- Evening discussion of raising day logistics and preparation
- Assembly of the frame and community raising celebration
Instructor
Adam Miller is an independent carpenter and consultant specializing in timber and log framing. His practice ranges from practical, vernacular projects in the New England square-rule tradition to complicated, innovative works that push the boundaries of organic-form scribing. A frequent presenter at conferences of the Timber Framers Guild, Adam has also given presentations for the Carpenter’s Fellowship (UK), Stolpverk Norden (the Scandinavian timber framing association), and the Kominka Collective (Japan). His articles have appeared in Log Building News, The Mortice and Tenon (UK), Northern Woodlands, Scantlings, and Timber Framing, the technical journal of the Timber Framers Guild, for which he has served as editor since 2018.
Adam teaches basic and advanced curricula for the Heartwood School (Washington, Massachusetts, and Alstead, New Hampshire), the Timber Framers Guild Community Building Workshop program, Bard College, and in private instruction. Adam lives in the hills of Vermont, travels widely for interesting projects, and has recently co-founded Kominka North America, dedicated to the adaptive reuse of traditional Japanese timber frames. Adam’s work can be viewed at www.adammillercarpentry.com.