North House Folk School - Courses, Classes, Workshops

Dovetail Log Sauna or Cabin: Build Your Own

Shelter

Lonnie Dupre

Traditional dovetail log homes, also known as American heritage and Appalachian log homes in the United States, began to emerge in the 1700s as a sturdy abode of our forefathers. The walls were traditionally made of logs hand hewn square into timbers with approximately 6" x 12" profiles and joined at the corners with a weather-resistant half-dovetail notch. This authentic design allows the weight of the building to pull the timbers tightly together for stout, tight joinery. The spaces between the timbers back then were filled with an array of clay, mortar, moss or oakum. Today's construction includes varied thicknesses of foam backing rod and flexible latex chinking. The rustic dovetail joinery and white pine timbers are reflective of the quality construction of those bygone days.

This Build Your Own option allows you and your friends/family the option to build your own 8' x 8' white pine dovetail sauna or writer's cabin, including a 4' porch OR the northwoods retreat cabin, a 10'x16' dovetail cabin. Tuition covers instruction and all materials, including 6"x10" white pine timbers, chinking and use of specialized dovetail framing tools. The shelter may be built by individual students, however, working with multiple partners (up to 6) on the project is welcome and encouraged.

** Sauna or Writer's Cabin: 8' x 8' (with a 4' porch) ’ - $4,070: 4 days
** Northwoods Retreat Cabin: 10' x 16' - $7,250: 6 days

Dates

Thu, Apr 26, 2012 - Tue, May 01, 2012

(Early bird tuition deadline: 03/15/12)

Thu, Oct 25, 2012 - Tue, Oct 30, 2012 Course Full - Please call for wait list

(Early bird tuition deadline: 09/13/12)

Course Details

Length in days:

Hours:

9am-5pm

Tuition:

$4,070.00 per project (Regular rate) per project or higher, depending on size
$4,070.00 per project (Early-bird rate) per project or higher, depending on size

Materials:

Varies By Size

Levels:

Beginner to Advanced

Making it happen:

When should I enroll?
We can't hold classes without students! Decisions regarding course cancellations (as related to minimum enrollment) are made three weeks before the class starts--so if you've got a course in mind, plan ahead and sign up at least three weeks in advance! That way we'll know you're coming, courses are more likely to meet minimum enrollment numbers, and then they'll actually take place.
Also watch for the words "nearly full" next to course dates. When that notation appears it means there are only one or two spots left--so sign up soon!
Do you take last minute registrations?
Of course! Although it's important that courses meet minimum enrollment three weeks before their scheduled start dates, we know that life doesn't always allow for prior planning. As long as there are still spots left in a course we're happy to accept your registration last minute.
When will new course dates be posted?
New course dates are posted both in the spring and fall to coordinate with our course catalog release dates. All the new dates are opened for enrollment on the same day and at the same time, so that everyone gets a fair crack at a spot in the courses they're interested in. As that time rolls around we announce when the new dates will "go live" in our e-newsletter. (sign up here!)

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Sauna and Cabin Options

Dovetail Log Sauna or Cabin: Build Your Own