Two-Week Design Build

Duration: Two Weeks
Tuition:
Single $3,000.00
Couple $5,500.00


Building or renovating a home involves so many decisions, what to do?

Don't do anything until after you've taken the Shelter Institute Design Build course. Over 20,000 women and men have taken this continually evolving course. Customized green homes, building careers, and personal competence have been spawned by the exciting teaching of this three-college-credit program, called Thomas Jefferson's "prayer for schooling" by renowned educator John Taylor Gatto. Taylor also suggested that Shelter's techniques be used as a standard for education. Time Magazine noted, "They take the mystery out of building."

This class is carefully crafted to teach building concepts from site planning through foundations, alternative energy, value, framing, wiring, plumbing, insulation, weatherization, roofing, and more to foster the ability to make wise judgements about the myriad alternatives facing prospective home owners today. Timber frame? Straw bale? Truss? Air concrete? Foam? Stone? Steel? Photovoltaics? Stick frame? Which one, where and why? What works, what makes it work better, where does the truth lie? Slightly leaning toward personal involvment, the course creates the competence to assess the quality of hired work while attending to long-term building goals.

What else do you get to experience? An enjoyable time on the Maine coast, campfire socials, weekend estuarine canoeing, evening comraderie, and learning to drive a 15-ton excavator!

For over 30 years, the Hennin Family has refined and perfected the art of teaching house construction to owner-builders from all walks of life. In two weeks, students learn to build a house in this intensive seminar based on our fifteen-lecture core series (see syllabus). Shelter Institute's housebuilding class has inspired thousands to build their own home, and you can too! You will come away with an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of a modern house as well as the detailed Shelter Institute reference guide and your own class notes.

The non-refundable registration fee holds a place for one student in the class. The remaining balance of tuition is due the first day of class. Once you register, we send you our housing list so you can make appropriate arrangements for your stay.

The non-refundable registration deposit is $600, which is added to your cart online. The tuition balance is due the first day of class. This registration fee can be transferred once at no charge. A second request for transfer will incur a $100 transfer fee and a third request for transfer will result in the loss of deposit. All deposits on tuition and tuition payments are non-refundable. If you cancel within three weeks of the start of any class you will forfeit your complete deposit.

It is strongly suggested that you register at least 5 weeks before the class begins. Shelter reserves the right to cancel this class if it does not meet the minimum enrollment of 16 people. If you are registering 2 or more people, please include their names, phone numbers, e-mail & mailing addresses (if different from yours) in the Notes section as you checkout.

  • Pete Neidhardt
    After taking their Design & Build course, I had the confidence to build this timber frame house, from a version of their stock plans. And you will too.
    Pete Neidhardt
  • Chasen Gillies
    We drove thirteen hours through a blizzard to take the timber framing course and it was worth it. You can tell this family has been teaching people since the 70's. 70's?! These guys are great. I hope to be back to learn but just saying "HI" would be a win. They've probably mapped out every minute of the week for the students but it still feels relaxed. Best of all, I can say with confidence, I can build a house. A timber structure. And I will
    Chasen Gillies
  • Matt Anglin
    Excellent course on house building. Teaches about every aspect of house including good design principles.
    Matt Anglin
  • Laurie Palagyi
    Shelter is a phenomenal resource of skill, intelligence, and good people. I took the two week design/build course and it was wonderful. I left with the confidence to assess my own home and any future home that I may build or purchase. Shelter is the real deal.
    Laurie Palagyi
  • David H T Kane
    Instructors make sure their lectures are clear and understandable to the students. Great follow through.
    David H T Kane
  • Deborah Caldwell
    Nothing can beat the hands-on experience that my daughter and I enjoyed for three weeks at the shelter institute. I have kept in touch ever since. I am disappointed that I cannot leave a comment on Pats chainsaw videos. The system does not seem to acknowledge our presence.
    Deborah Caldwell
  • Enzo Talladira
    As a second generation carpenter/joiner Shelter Institute's online course is a must for all who are interested in Timber Framing and the enjoyment of life.

    I have found the team to be responsive, caring and helpful. A pleasure to deal with.
    Enzo Talladira
  • Kristina Rae Bolduc
    So far our online courses are phenomenal!!! We love Pat, Gaius, and Blueberry! Gabe is pretty awesome too!!
    Kristina Rae Bolduc
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