Traditional Timber Framing in New Zealand
Traditional Timber Frame Joinery Workshop in New Zealand
with Benito Steen
This workshop is full, with a waiting list.
A 6-day introduction to the historic art of timber framing, in Kerikeri, New Zealand. Join us build and raise a traditional timber frame structure on our friends property.
You will learn the art of laying out a timber frame structure, cutting mortise and tenons both by hand and power tools, plus a peek into lumber selection and milling. You will gain a good understanding of tools and how to maintain them.
No timberframing experience required: This course is accessible from beginners with little experience, to builders who want to learn the craft of timber framing.
During this workshop, we will be building a small extension building and is a great example of a beginner project.
The cost of workshop at $1200 includes all meals and camping on-site.
A $400 deposit is required to confirm your spot.
Full day program from 9am-5pm each day.
LOCATION
This is an off-site workshop while Benito visits in New Zealand. It will be based at our friends, Barney & Lauren’s building site, where they are in the process of building their natural home, 15 min from Kerikeri. Their family with 4 children are living onsite and will be joining throughout the workshop.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATION
Camping is available on-site, with outdoor bathroom facilities.
Three homemade meals will be provided per day, including coffee and tea. Please bring own plate and silverware. BYO personal beverages and snacks.
Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions. Or if you do want to not be included in the meals/stay.
TOOL LIST
We will only be providing 35mm framing chisels to use during the course. If you have your own framing chisel, please feel welcome to bring one.
Otherwise please bring the following Essential Tools for timber framing, in order of priority:
- Mallet: You can use a wood, urethane or rawhide mallet, and can make your own, too! Mitre10 has a wood option but we would recommend this rubber dead blow from Bunnings because of the metal handled chisels we are using.
- Hand saw: We use either a Japanese pull saw and a standard push saw. For an affordable option this specific Stanley Universal trade Cut saw from Bunnings will work.
- Tape measure (5m is good)
- Combination square
- Framing square
- 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!
INSTRUCTOR: BENITO STEEN
Benito 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 Latin American and Southeast Asia. Always learning and experimenting he mixes old techniques with the new, to create beautifully sustainable and healthy houses.