We are Shelter Institute
Shelter is committed to working with our clients to create effective homes. We have been evolving durable, adaptable, energy-conscious building techniques since 1974. We continue to pursue our philosophy of thinking, building, and living well by engaging a talented and skilled staff.
The staff at Shelter are a unique group of people with a plethora of skills. They each bring their own strengths to our organization, and we are excited to tell you about them.
Our Story
In the late 1960ās our founder Pat Hennin built a passive solar home that garnered much attention across the nation. This resulted in many people writing letters to Pat and his wife Patsy asking if they could build passive solar homes all over America. In the face of quick riches, they declined.
Rather than building people's houses, they started a building school to teach people how to do so themselves. Demystifying building by teaching how to think about building materials, what tools are necessary vs a luxury and how to understand a home even if you did not build it. Shelter Institute was formed in 1974.
For over 50 years, weāve been teaching people how to build, renovate, general contract, or simply how to live well and understand their homes.
We take a common-sense approach toward teaching and building, integrating timeless, traditional techniques and tools with cutting-edge knowledge and technology.
Shelter Courses is a modern day branch of Shelter Institute that covers all things courses. We teach building based on our ongoing experiences building energy efficient timber frame homes across America at Shelter Design Build. We teach what tools work best in specific situations based on our experiences operating a tool store at Shelter Tools. We teach about land, how to choose what works best for your lifestyle and how it may implicate the cost of building down the line from our time at Shelter Realty. Those who teach at Shelter Courses, are doers in their respective fields.Ā
We have grown our online course offerings beyond building. We believe that creating with your hands builds competence and confidence and empowers you. We aim to spread that experience through projects big and small.Ā
Three generations of family now teach at Shelter Courses both in person and online. We look forward to meeting you!
"This class was packed with useful knowledge while still being clear and concise. It uses a very practivally sized example structure and covers the entire process. Well worth the money and time. Very well done for an online version of such a hands on subject."
-Ā Jared Caskey
"This course is the best bang for your buck if your unable to make it to the onsite course. Very informative and a great way to learn."
-Ā Drew Skiff
"These courses are really great. As I have initiated my learning on posts and beams timber framing I can't express enough how I am really enjoying these courses, they are simply awesome."
- Santiago Ventura
Ready toĀ build your own dream home?
Choose from our offerings of in-person and online courses.
OnlineĀ Courses
Timber framing, woodworking and much more at in-person quality, from your own home.
In-Person Courses
Join us in person on our campus in Maine to learn timber framing, buildingĀ science or both.
LearnĀ about our design build work and our full story and everything else that we do.
Hard-to-find tools. Easy to find. Find everything you need for your design build project.