2008 Eastern Conference

Pre-Conference Workshops:
Wednesday & Thursday, November 5^th & 6^th, 2008

These workshops are an opportunity to hone your skills in an all-day intensive session with a small group of participants and expert instructors.

A separate registration fee is required. Tuition for all pre-Conference workshops is $175/day ($200/day for non-TFG members), $350/2 days ($400/2 days for non-members) including lunch and breaks; all fees are in U.S. dollars). Note that the Main Conference fee is not included with pre-Conference tuitions. Workshops begin at 8:30 AM unless otherwise stated.

Homeowners, construction/design professionals, and specialty trade contractors will gain valuable insights into environmentally-friendly systems that are designed for comfort and efficiency. Al Wallace teaches practical and theoretical course content using a combination of lectures, discussions, and demonstrations with actual equipment. The course develops a comprehensive understanding of alternative energy systems and heating and ventilating (HVAC) system options. The HVAC systems include air sealing and insulating the building envelope, radiant heating and cooling, geothermal heat pumps, domestic hot water, solar water heating, and energy recovery ventilators. The on-site power systems include solar photovoltaic, wind, and microhydro grid-tied applications.

While the structure of timber frames varies significantly from stick-built homes, the heating, cooling and power systems are identical. A homeowner must understand the capabilities of mainstream sustainable technologies in order to specify or implement systems that are affordable, cost-effective to operate, energy efficient, and provide a healthy indoor air quality. The true beauty of a timber frame home is derived from the pureness of the materials and the created space. Selecting systems that mimic this aesthetic is an imperative.

Attendees to this workshop should have an interest in learning about systems that inherently contribute to environmental sustainability and owner comfort and safety. The energy systems in this category are solar photovoltaic, wind, and micro hydro power generation (wind and hydro will be addressed only cursory to the solar photovoltaic detailed discussion.) The heating and cooling systems are hydronic radiant (floor, wall and ceiling), geothermal heat pumps, solar hot water, and hybrids - combining these technologies as appropriate. While taught at a level assuming no initial knowledge of these technologies, persons that have a comprehensive understanding will learn about procurement and implementation practices to save money and time, as well as best practices to avoid traditional mistakes when selecting or implementing this technology. Therefore, the seminar is appropriate for trade professionals seeking information outside their core expertise, as well as existing or potential homeowners with limited understanding of the building trades.

Because of the volume of information to be covered, and the interrelated considerations of these systems, the seminar is appropriate only as a two-day exercise. Attending only one day is inappropriate in that the attendee would not fully comprehend the related nature of systems. Attendees will receive comprehensive handouts and extensive hands on practice in design and implementation of core components, necessary given the fast pace of this workshop.

The goal is that every attendee would leave this seminar understanding the critical issues to be considered when implementing these technologies in their own home. Similarly, should a tradesperson have prior experience with one or more of the systems, he/she would be able to expand their business offerings relatively easily with a little more professional training and/or hands on experience. The format and presentation content will allow plenty of time for questions and discussions (at any level of detail) related to these systems. After receiving from proposed attendees a pre-workshop questionnaire, the instructor tailors the course content to the skill level and specific interests of the attendees.

About the Instructor

Albert Wallace is President of Energy Environmental Corporation, a firm specializing in the design and installation of energy efficient residential systems. His expertise lies in the integration of these systems in order to reduce building loads as a prerequisite to installing alternative power systems in on-grid applications (solar, wind, and micro-hydro). He consults worldwide with major projects in Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Alaska and South America. Over the past two decades, he has participated in a number of Guild events in the U.S. and in Europe. Al holds a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Master's Degrees in Architecture and Landscape Architecture from the University of Colorado.

One-day Workshops (Thursday, November 6^th)

For most carpenters, the geometry of building is based on straight lines, right triangles and various polygons — generally planes that are readily seen. The history of solving complicated roof problems using knowledge of these basic elements and simple but accurate drafting is well documented. The modern carpenter in the U.S. has become separated from this past as modern building practice placed less and less importance on a traditional training regimen.

In previous "Thinking Tangentially" workshops, Curtis demonstrated basic drafting techniques to develop specific building information into solutions for the unknown intersections contained in a complex roof structure. The purpose was to derive all the proportions, lengths and angles needed to layout most roof systems.

For this course, we will use that information for the regular plan and irregular pitch roof to layout and cut the rafters and purlins. The roof pitches differ, the hip run is not 45 degrees, but the eave intersection is 90 degrees. An example of this would be a hip roof with a ridge.

Attendees should have plenty of roof-cutting experience, some experience with compound roof problems, basic calculator skills and an open mind. The pace will be brisk. For the good of the many, a few may fall behind in this exercise but all will take away something of value. Any study of the topic before attending this seminar would be a good idea (see Will Beemer's articles in Timber Framing, Ed Levin's articles in the TFG Joinery & Design Workbook, Vol. 1, to name just a few sources).

We will not limit this program to any skill level but because this is an advanced offering, results and satisfaction may vary. A short online quiz is available to allow attendees to assess his/her skills before investing in this class.

About the Instructor

Curtis Milton is the owner of Monolithic Building Services in Jackson, New Hampshire. He is a President of the Guild's Board of Directors, and has taught numerous compound joinery workshops and led many Guild projects.

The Symposium brings together the latest research and the brightest minds in the timber frame design world. This is an advanced workshop designed for structural engineers and others who are actively involved in or knowledgeable about the design and engineering of timber framed structures.

It will include talks on these diverse topics:

• Introduction & TFEC Update with Tom Nehil
• Scarf Joints with Ed Levin
• Scarf Joint-Finite Element Study with Denise Weber
• Timber Frame Typology with Jeremy Bonin
• Unbalanced Snow Loading on Timber Structures with Dave Connolly
• Tension Capacity of Mortise and Tenon Joints with Paul Thorley
• Dowel Bearing Strength - Current Research with Dick Schmidt
• Timber Connections with David Moses

About the Presenters

Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP, principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates, is an award-winning architect and the author of Timber Frames: Designing Your Custom Home. Jeremy is a member of the AIA licensed in New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. He is a LEED-accredited professional with a special interest in timber framing and energy efficiency as it relates to green living and sustainable design, renewable energy sources, and environmentally sound material selections. He is currently working on his second book, which focuses on green building and sustainable building practices.

Tom Nehil is Chairman of the Timber Frame Engineering Council (TFEC) and a principal of Nihil-Sivak Consulting Structural Engineers in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a general practice engineering firm with a special interest in timber framing and barn preservation.

Ed Levin designs timber frames through his company, Paradigm Builders, and has provided truss engineering analyses for the Guild's latest publication, Historic American Roof Trusses.

Dave Connolly has 20 years of progressive construction and structural engineering experience and a special interest in traditional timber frame structures. He is the founding principal engineer of ERS Consulting Engineers in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and specializes in resort class residential and commercial structures ranging from single family custom homes to multi-story mixed use projects.

Paul Thorley is a Structural Engineer and Principal at Acute Engineering in Orem, Utah. He received his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University and is licensed in Utah, Nevada and Idaho.

Dick Schmidt is Professor of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming. He also serves as Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the university. He is a structural engineer specializing in numerical methods of analysis and timber structures.

Denise Weber is currently working on her Master's degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Wyoming. She earned her Bachelor's degree in 2007 and expects to complete her graduate studies in May 2009. Her graduate research focuses on kinesthetic learning in lower division engineering science courses, and she does finite element modeling of timber-frame structures just for kicks.

Google SketchUp™ is a powerful yet very simple to use program for sharing ideas in 3D. The basic program is free from Google and offers many tools for the timber framer and designer. The program can be used as a 3D kid of napkin sketching tool as well as a formal presentation tool for communicating concepts to clients and the shop. This pre-conference hands-on workshop will cover the basics of the software and work toward completing a small timber frame design from rough sketch to client presentation.

The class is a great chance for new users to learn the software in the context of a finished project or for experienced 3D and CAD designers to learn and expand their skills with a free and incredibly powerful modeling and presentation tool. The 90-minute breakout during the main Conference will be a whirlwind tour of the features most applicable to timber frame design, with a chance for users to share their experiences, questions, tips and tricks.

Participants should come with a laptop computer with the latest free version of SketchUp loaded, and a mouse with a wheel. Details will be sent upon receipt of your registration.

About the Instructor

Mike Beganyi has wandered through the design, woodworking, and timber framing world for the past 15 years. He has worked as sculptor, carpenter, architecture student, instructor, barn restorer, timber framer, designer, project manager, and mover of heavy objects. He currently lives and works in Vermont pushing pixels as an independent designer and fulltime father.

Pre-Conference Workshop Outline:

• Intro to SketchUp, assessment of participant usage and skill set.
• Intro to the interface, menus, where to find things
• Basic tools and conventions
• Concepts of how SketchUp works (non-computer technical)
• A few images of various projects and samples I've done

• Drawing tools
• Basic tools
• From plan into 3D
• Working directly in 3D
• Push/Pull
• Manipulation of objects
• Create a basic house shape

• Coordinates
• Angles
• Guides

• Understanding lines and surfaces
• Curves and solids and odd shapes

Questions will be answered as they arise, and we will branch out during any of the above to tackle items of special interest to the group's skills or needs.

Bau-Biologie™ Principles in Practice: Going Beyond Green

As timber framers, you are already ecologists in that you are working with natural renewable materials in the most sustainable way. This seminar is about how to extend this ecological understanding and excellence to every facet of the buildings that you so lovingly craft. If you apply the principles of Bau-Biologie™ (building using both biologically compatible and ecologically sound products and processes), then you will be "going beyond green."

Although modern materials and standard building practices proliferate toxins, it is possible to build a healthy home or office in today's world. We will debunk seven myths regarding current construction practices to demonstrate the need for a new approach. Participants will learn what kinds of health hazards a house may contain and how to avoid them during the design and construction phases.

Topics include:

• Bau-Biologie principles and building culture
• Biologically sound building materials and methods
• Pollutant source identification and avoidance -- air, water and electromagnetic fields

This session will include demonstrations and exercises using Bau-Biologie evaluation protocols and scientific instrumentation to assess products and processes. This seminar will benefit home dwellers, architects, builders, crafts persons, interior designers and other building professionals.

Learning Objectives: Topics include

• the history of Building Biology, the myths about how modern housing is failing, and why there is such urgency for healthy homes
• the elements in a home that create a healthy environment and those that don't, focusing on the Building Biology Principles
• the physical energy aspects of pollutant sources, including air and electromagnetic radiation that can interfere with sleep and how to avoid these from a Building Biology perspective

About the Instructors

Paula Baker-Laporte has headed a wide-ranging architectural practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico, since 1986. Since 1992, she has dedicated her practice to the precepts of environmentally sound and health-enhancing architecture. In 2007, Paula was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. She was selected as one of our nation's Top 10 Green Architects in the July/August 2005 edition of Natural Home. Paula graduated from the University of Toronto School of Architecture in 1978 and the International Institute of Bau-Biologie & Ecology in 1995.

Paula has lectured, taught and published extensively on the topic of healthy and ecological design. She is the author of Prescriptions for a Healthy House (2008: 3rd ed., New Society Publishers) and is a contributing author to several other books. Together with her husband, Robert LaPorte, they have developed the EcoNest® home concept and they are the authors of EcoNest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw and Timber (2005: Gibbs Smith).

EcoNest projects have been featured in several books including Designing your Natural Home by David Pearson, Green by Design by Angela Dean, Sustainable Residential Interiors by Associates III, and Space Matters by Katherine Cox, as well as nationally published magazines including Natural Home, Fine Homebuilding, Residential Architect, Organic Style Magazine, Yoga Journal, Inspired House and Ultimate Home.

Vicki Warren is an electrical engineer. For 25 years, she has worked in the power industry as an electrical engineer, teaching courses, testing high voltage equipment, and developing products. Because of her awareness that our buildings are sick, she works with the staff of the International Institute of Bau-Biologie & Ecology (IBE) as the Executive Director and as an Indoor Environmental Consultant.

In addition to her duties with IBE, Vicki is the founder of a local non-profit in Middle Tennessee, Wings of Eagles Healthy Living (WEHL), which is dedicated to educating individuals how to improve the quality of their indoor environments. WEHL conducts seminars, programs, home surveys, and provides low-cost consultation to building healthy.

She is a Council-Certified Indoor Environmentalist by the American Indoor Air Quality Council (AmIAQ), certified by the International Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology (IBE) as a Building Biologist Environmental Consultant, a certified partner with the Environmental Data Resources (EDR), and a Certified Electromagnetic Safety Advisor (CERSA) Consultant with the Science of Public Policy Institute.