Category: Shelter

Frost-Protected, Field-Stone Stub Foundation: Material Saving Hybrid

October 4, 2023

Our current building project is exploring how we can create a structure using local materials. We’re currently building the foundation and thinking a lot about how to create a firm, long-lasting platform on which we can build the rest of the structure while using as little time, effort, and materials as possible. Typical Foundation In … More Frost-Protected, Field-Stone Stub Foundation: Material Saving Hybrid

Upcoming Workshop — Build (Timber-Framing) Sawhorses, Apr. 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., $50 ($40 for members)

March 29, 2023

This year we’re building a timber-frame workshop and we’ll have classes almost every weekend, covering this build from start to finish. See our Events page for the complete schedule, which is being finalized at this time. Classes typically run $50 with a cap of $500 for ten or more. See also: Build a Mallet (Mar. … More Upcoming Workshop — Build (Timber-Framing) Sawhorses, Apr. 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., $50 ($40 for members)

Upcoming Workshop — Build a (Timber-Framing) Mallet, Apr. 8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., $50 ($40 for members)

March 28, 2023

This year we’re building a timber-frame workshop and we’ll have classes almost every weekend, covering this build from start to finish. See our Events page for the complete schedule, which is being finalized at this time. Classes typically run $50 with a cap of $500 for ten or more. See also: Sawhorses (Apr. 15), Tool … More Upcoming Workshop — Build a (Timber-Framing) Mallet, Apr. 8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., $50 ($40 for members)

Bringing Old Tools Back to Work, April 9, $20 — at Schumacher Farm

March 11, 2022

Friend of the institute and frequent instructor, Todd Fleming, will be leading a class at Schumacher Farm. Please consider attending if you’re interested in bringing antique tools back into use. We hope to offer this class next year at the institute. Workshop Details See listing at the Schumacher Farm website. This class will be an … More Bringing Old Tools Back to Work, April 9, $20 — at Schumacher Farm

Timber Framing and Thatching — Upcoming Work Days — Saturdays & Sundays June–July, Free (Space is Limited)

May 12, 2021

This year we’ll be building a timber-frame compost and garden hutch, and we’d like to invite you to come join us to get some hands-on experience. Timber framing was the dominant wood-based building method for hundreds of years before modern stick framing was developed to take advantage of smaller, cheaper pieces of wood. Instead of … More Timber Framing and Thatching — Upcoming Work Days — Saturdays & Sundays June–July, Free (Space is Limited)

Firewood: Saw and Axe vs. Chainsaw and Splitter — Low Tech R & D

April 26, 2021

A chainsaw and log splitter can make quick work of a cord of firewood. But they’re dependent on fossil fuels. How do saws and splitting axes stack up? We tested it out this spring as part of our Low Tech R & D series. You can find this and other tests at the project page. … More Firewood: Saw and Axe vs. Chainsaw and Splitter — Low Tech R & D

New Video: No. 23 — Walipini: In-Ground Greenhouse

February 19, 2021

In this video, we put together photos, video, and other information about our in-ground Walipini greenhouse. We started this project in 2017. You can see some blog posts about this topic to read more: Design (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/11/07/walipini-earthbag-greenhouse-design/)Siting (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/10/12/walipini-earth-bag-greenhouse-siting-and-bags/)Foundation (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/11/06/walipini-earthbag-greenhouse-foundation-and-bags/)Update (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2019/12/18/walipini-update/) Please remember to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! You can find all of our videos under … More New Video: No. 23 — Walipini: In-Ground Greenhouse