This has been the busiest winter in a long time. It’s all good stuff, but the window of opportunity to appreciate some downtime is narrowing before a busy spring and summer season. Enough of that, though. I’m here to share some details about our upcoming Japanese Carpentry Workshop project.
Pond!
As we speak, a dozer is at our homestead preparing the ground to dig a large pond. Ever since we moved to this land 5 years ago, we’ve dreamed of constructing a pond to catch excess water, provide a place to swim, and create habitat for frogs, fish, and other wildlife. (And maybe some ducks, too. I really miss raising them.)
The landscape we’ve become accustomed to is about to dramatically change, and certainly for the better. I promise to share some pictures as soon as it starts to look like something out there.
Pavilion!
And along with that, our first ever Japanese Carpentry Workshop will be constructing a pond-side pavilion to better appreciate the sounds and sights of the water. Additionally, the pavilion will eventually be partly enclosed and house a sauna with changing room.
Imagine This…
From our house, you walk slightly uphill towards a gorgeous Japanese-style timber frame, where a blazing hot, rejuvenating sauna awaits you. You take a round, and then walk a few short steps along a stone path and dive into the cool water of the pond. You step out of the water and appreciate the view, green mountains in the background, and fruit and nut trees planted at the water’s edge. (Cue frogs croaking.)
Well, that’s the idea. And we’re putting shovel to soil and making that vision a reality right now. The sauna pavilion will be a site for relaxation that all future workshop participants will be able to enjoy once all is said and done. The idea for this sauna is to provide a place of healing and engagement for our wider community, too. This is not merely for us, but a resource for our community to enjoy.
Anyway, enjoy these preliminary sketches of the Japanese timber frame pavilion design. This is what our July participants will learn how to build, using traditional Japanese joinery and tools. If you want to share in this experience, there are still a few spaces remaining.