Purely Post & Beam - AIA HSW Registered
Earn 13 LU|HSW with Shelter Institute's online Purely Post & Beam course, built for AIA members and design professionals. Over seven on-demand sequential learning modules, you will learn the fundamentals of timber framing: tools, safety, design, structural engineering, material selection, and cutting timber through raising the final structure. Shelter Institute presents this content through the company's framework of self-empowerment, safety, quality, and connection to community and timber.
The course includes recorded video instruction, downloadable PDF cut sheets for a 24' x 24' timber frame in both U.S. and metric, and access to our private alumni-only community.
Course Information
Delivery Method: On-demand e-learning
AIA Credit: 13 LU|HSW
AIA CES Approval Expiration: 09/17/2028. To receive AIA continuing education credit, the course and summative assessment must be completed before this date. Course content remains accessible after this date, but Learning Units cannot be awarded for completions after the approval expires.
Program Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Welcome to our AIA-Registered Purely Post & Beam Course!
Earn 13 LU|HSW Continuing Education Units with Shelter Institute's online Purely Post & Beam course modified especially for the AIA! Over seven on-demand sequential learning modules, students will learn the fundamentals of timber framing from tools, safety, design, engineering, material selection and cutting timber through raising the final structure. Shelter Institute has curated and presents this custom content all through the company’s framework of self-empowerment, safety, quality and connectedness to community and timber.
This course includes recorded video, downloadable PDF Cut Sheets for a 24' x 24' Timber Frame in both U.S. & Metric and access to Private Alumni-Only Facebook Group to share experiences, knowledge and learn about the successes of other students all available at your own pace.
This course is designed to fulfill the eight learning objectives below:
- Participants will learn that timber framing is accessible to all based on Shelter’s 50+ years of teaching thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences who have taken the knowledge and empowered themselves as individuals and communities to build their own homes.
- Participants will learn to both generate and understand timber frame structural drawings and cut sheets to ensure both safe design and critical selection, application and cutting of joinery.
- Participants will learn the intricacies of laying out and cutting joinery to appreciate and critically understand and apply best practices and avoid errors resulting in both short term and long-term timber frame failures.
- Participants will learn safety fundamentals of the required tools from basic hand tool handling and sharpening through power tool basics.
- Participants will learn safety fundamentals of design and structural engineering to make informed decisions about joinery, load transfers, foundations and other elements that will ensure the timber frame structure will withstand habitation for future generations.
- Participants will learn safe construction practices for both individuals and groups raising their own timber frame.
- Participants will learn integrated building systems including foundations, sheathing and moisture considerations to achieve a building envelope that is safe and long-lasting for inhabitants.
- Participants will learn timber framing material and engineering history and terminology in order to best understand building application and decision making.
Enjoy this timber framing course at your own speed and we look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Can you REALLY learn how to timber frame from an online course?
For those who can make it to Maine, our in-person Purely Post and Beam class would be the best way to learn timber framing. But we understand that not everyone has the ability to drop everything for a week to come to our campus in Woolwich, Maine to do so. We fully believe this is the next best thing and that YES, you can truly learn how to timber frame with the help of this online course!
We have worked hard to compile every last bit of content from our Purely Post and Beam course and put it in an easily digestible, video-by-video, online format. And not only that, but we’ve also tried to anticipate every question that you might ask as a student of our online course, since you don’t have the luxury of asking an instructor during class.
Our recommendation is that you first go through the course content from beginning to end before trying your hand at timber framing (rather than watching a singular video and then immediately trying to copy what you just watched). Then, once you acquire some timber framing tools and lumber, continue to use the course as a reference guide, coming back to specific sections to review as you practice your skills and eventually cut and raise your own timber frame structure!
Course Curriculum
Introduction to Purely Post & Beam Course
Essential Timberframing Tools
Tool Sharpening 101
Drafting & Design
How to Read Your Cut Sheets
Cutting Your Timbers To Length
The Layout Process
Cutting & Refining Joinery on a Post
Cutting & Refining Joinery on a Beam
Cutting & Refining Joinery on Joists & Braces
Cutting & Refining Joinery on a Rafter
Finishing Your Timbers
Engineering Theory & Application in Timber Framing
Timber Frame Assembly & House Tour
Laying Out, Cutting, & Refining a Scarf Joint
Summative Assessment
Online Course FAQ
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Shelter Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10125601. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ( [email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.