Summer of ’24

This summer, we hosted four workshops — two Japanese Carpentry classes, Natural Building Essentials, and Timber Framing. This was the first summer we’ve been able to use the new timber frame pavilion, now that the floor is complete. It’s made a huge difference in how we host classes and the overall feeling during events.

The first proof of that was during our Japanese Carpentry Workshops — no one wanted to quit working on their joinery projects in the evenings. (We had workspaces filling up the entire pavilion.) The calm setting, lighting, and overall good feelings all helped. In fact, we had to set quiet hours so people could sleep because students kept chiseling until 10:30 or later at night – ha! I love people’s energy and enthusiasm.

The Japanese Carpentry Workshops continue to be a source of huge inspiration for many, myself included. Kohei-san and Jon are incredibly generous and humble teachers. My heroes. Next year, we have even more classes in store. Kohei-san is committed to coming back every year. What a privilege. Seriously.

The Timber Frame Workshop was another big summer highlight. From my side of things, the whole event flowed smoothly and right on schedule. Our close friend Blain of Earth-Bound Building returned to help instruct. In seven days, we completed a small 14×16 frame next to the pavilion — a future storehouse. As you might guess, the storehouse is Japanese-inspired with our own spin on things. Currently, it’s getting a reclaimed slate tile roof installed, and next year it will have clay-straw walls and a lime plaster exterior.

Traditional kura are built in such a way to minimize fire risk, hence the fully lime plastered exteriors. Plaster even covers the exposed beams and eaves (if any). I haven’t decided how far up the wall we’ll take the plaster, but this is what we’re looking to for our design inspiration.

Our students continue to be amazing and we’re happy to report we have more returning students than ever before. It’s incredibly validating to have people come back for additional classes. I can no longer easily recall how many people we’ve had back twice, three times, or even four times.

Every season rolls into the next, each year passes far too quickly and it’s time to start planning all over again. Summers are but a blip, despite how much energy we spend talking about and bracing ourselves for the business of the peak season. Our planning window seems to be getting earlier and earlier, as things take that much more thought to organize and account for.

Next year will be one of our biggest, with 6 classes on the books. Our newest addition will be a Japanese Plastering Workshop, something I’ve been hoping to do for more years than I can remember. All good things come in due time. Stay tuned, as I’ll be posting the 2025 schedule this month.