Sign up today to learn the skills to build your own home.
Over 50 years ago our founder, Pat Hennin, built a passive solar home during America’s first energy crisis. Hundreds of people reached out asking him to build them a home. He declined. Instead he started a school teaching people about building and how to become can-do people. That same can-do attitude is alive and thriving here in Maine at Shelter Institute today.
Our in-person courses offer a unique opportunity to learn from expert builders, work with fine tools, and connect with fellow passionate students. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced builder, our courses will help you take your skills to the next level and create beautiful, durable structures that stand the test of time.
In-Person Course Offerings
1-Week Purely Post & Beam In-Person Course
In this one-week class we start with raw lumber, and in five days cut and raise a 24'x24' timber frame by hand. The days are spent designing, cutting, and raising a timber frame. You will learn to select, use, and care for a complete set of timber framing tools that you take home with you at the end of the course.
2-Week Design Build Course
Whether you have been dreaming of building a home or are already heavily involved in the building industry; the Design Build course will provide a new understanding of construction and confidence in your ability to complete a project. This is a 70% lecture based, 30% hands on course.
Builders Who Teach
The Very Best Selection of Fine Woodworking Tools
If it's in our tool shack, it's superior quality and don't crack! We aspire to provide excellent quality equipment, tried and tested in our lifetime. With capable hands and proper care it will last you a lifetime. Browse Timber Framing Tools, Hand Saws, Carving Knives, Axes, Work Benches and more.
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"A great location, super-knowledgeable and friendly instructors and staff, and a really nice hands-on supplement to the classroom instruction (Design Build). I learned a great deal and came away with wonderful resources. Also appreciated the school’s philosophy: Think. Build. Live. Well worth the investment!”
- Joe Whalen
"I highly recommend this place if you are looking to advance your skills to the next level then this is the place. I enjoyed the live post and beam course in February 2022. Very knowledgeable team and enjoyed the tool store and all of the valuable information they provided. Friendly staff, I give them a 10/10 and look forward to going back someday"
- Bryce Green
"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."