Traditional Timber Framing in New Zealand
Square-rule Timber Frame Joinery Workshop
in New Zealand
with Benito Steen and Graeme Scott of Elemental Design & Build
Join us for a 6-day hands-on introduction to the historic craft of square-rule timber framing set in the stunning surroundings of Golden Bay, New Zealand. Together, we’ll build and raise a traditional timber frame structure by hand on our friends’ property in Golden Bay.
You’ll gain foundational skills in:
- Laying out timber frame joinery using square rule method, a historical method of early American Timber Framing
- Cutting mortise and tenon joinery by hand
- Tool use and maintenance
- Techniques and logistics of frame-raising
- We will touch on basic lumber selection, milling techniques and French Scribed Timber framing techniques
Each student will cut their own mortise and tenon joint that will make up a timber-frame tiny house, which we will raise during the workshop—a perfect sized structure to apply what you learn. You will leave with the confidence to construct your own timber frame building.
Whether you’re a beginner with little experience, or a builder interested in expanding your skillset, this workshop is designed to be accessible and informative for all levels.
Logistics
Dates: This course begins Sunday 1st of February at 9am, and ends Friday 6th of February, at 5pm. Full day program runs from 9am-5pm each day.
Location: Ben and Eileen’s land in Golden Bay, with easy access to Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.
Accommodations: Camping is available on-site, with outdoor bathroom facilities. Alternatively there are lots of BnBs available in Takaka and Collingwood.
Meals: Homemade lunches will be provided daily. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Students are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and dinners. Mussel Inn (a local favorite) is in walking distance and there are supermarkets 17km away in Takaka.
Cost: The cost of workshop at $1200 NZD includes lunches, camping on-site and a chisel to take home. A $400 NZD deposit (non-refundable) is required to confirm your spot.
TOOL LIST
The price of this class includes a 35mm metal-handled framing chisel (pictured here) to use during the course and to take home with you. If you have your own framing chisels please feel welcome to bring them as well.
Students are required to bring the following tools (in order of priority):
- Mallet: We recommend this rubber dead blow from Bunnings because of the metal handled chisels we are using. If you choose another option, make sure it is dead blow mallet (not a rubber mallet or wood).
- Hand Saw: We recommend this Stanley Jet Cut saw from Mitre10. Or for an affordable option this specific Stanley Universal trade Cut saw from Bunnings will work. We also use Japanese pull saws, another great option for beginners.
- Framing/Rafter square: This is an essential tool for square-rule framing. We recommend this Empire Aluminium Square from Bunnings, if you opt for a different one, make sure it has metric on both sides (not imperial) and all the numbers are legible.
- Tape measure (5m is good)
- Combination square
- A few carpentry pencils
- Eye protection (safety glasses)
- Ear protection (ear plugs or mitts)
Daily Workshop Schedule
- Introduction to timber framing
- How to layout timbers
- Joinery introduction
- Intro to tools
- Sharpening tools
- Intro to cutting tenons
- Start layout & cutting tenons
- Intro to cutting mortises
- Cutting mortises & tenons
- Making a knee brace intro
- Make knee braces and continue posts
- Continue knee braces & posts
- Frame raising day!
Instructors:
BENITO STEEN is a builder and artist, who strives to find the connection between space and beauty, shelter and nature, the hand and materials.
Born and raised in southeastern Arizona where his parents teach natural building, Benito comes from a long lineage of artists and makers and grew up surrounded by people from around the world coming in with new skills and crafts every day. Homeschooled, he gravitated early on as teenager towards the trades and arts such as: plastering, blacksmithing and woodworking.
He has taught natural building and timber framing throughout the US, Latin American, Southeast Asia and New Zealand. Always learning and experimenting he mixes old techniques with the new, to create beautifully sustainable and healthy houses.
He and his brother Kalin also run the successful YouTube channel the Nito Project, inspiring people of all ages, across the world, to learn about Natural Building and crafting with earth
GRAEME SCOTT has been exploring carpentry all his life. He started at his dad’s workshop, and over the last 30 years it has become his life’s passion to craft beautiful spaces combining timber with natural materials. Trained as a Naval Mechanical Engineer, he later studied Log Building with Del Radomski in Canada and worked with traditional timber framers in the UK. Graeme has undertaken diverse building projects from restoring French barns to narrow canal boats and Oak frames in UK and boat house in New York State.
Co-founder of Elemental Design and Build, he and his partners recently completed the stunning Common House for the Takaka Cohousing Community. This is the biggest Timber Frame and Hempcrete building in the Southern Hemisphere at 350sqm. Graeme also Co-Founded of The Living Wood Fair, a festival that brings together Forestry, Building and Crafts for all ages here in Golden Bay. He has also run workshops on Traditional Timber Framing there.
Graeme has been teaching Traditional Timber Framing and Natural Building for more than 15 years. His well-rounded knowledge base adds great depth to what he teaches, enriching the courses far beyond the basics.