Yestermorrow Design/Build School inspires people to create a better, more sustainable world by providing hands-on education that integrates design and craft as a creative, interactive process.
REGISTRATION
Online registration is available at yestermorrow. org/courses. A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space in a class. Meal plans and lodging options will be available to select at the time of registration.Registration balances must be paid in full 30 days before the start of your course.
COURSE SP OTLIGHT: YESTERMORRO W/UMASS SEMESTER IN DESIGN/BUILD
The Semester in Design/Build is an ongoing partnership between Yestermorrow Design/Build School (Waitsfield, VT) and UMass Amherst’s Department of Architecture (Amherst, MA). Operating annually from mid-August to midDecember, the Semester Program takes up to 15 students from a variety of backgrounds through an architectural design process to the substantial completion of a year-round structure.
Students receive instruction in design, assembly and detailing, and building performance while exploring group process and definitions of sustainability. This full-immersion, credit-bearing semester in building and design complements architecture, building science, engineering, and environmental design majors and has wide application in liberal arts curricula.
A great study abroad alternative, nowhere else can liberal arts students get this level of intensive, hands-on instruction for college credit from professional designers and builders who are leaders in the field.
www.yestermorrow.org/semester
JOINERY & BOX MAKING
$1250 / MATERIALS: $75
OCT 28NOV 1
Learn to hand-cut and machine miters, rabbets, dadoes, box joints, coopering and more! WOODWORKING CERTIFICATE
$1,250
JAN 27APR 18, 2025
$10,500 / MATERIALS: $300 Our professional woodworking program provides a foundation for amateurs and aspiring professionals to develop their skills under the guidance of talented craftspeople.
GREEN HOME DESIGN & DETAILS
JUNE 526
$400 Wednesdays, 79 pm EST
This course covers a range of topics that inform the design of a healthy, green home.
INTRO TO REVIT ARCHITECTURE OCTOBER 110
$800 Tues & Thurs, 48 pm EST Take your designs from napkin sketches to construction drawings with this powerful, PC-based building modeling software.
TINY HOUSE DESIGN OCT 1NOV 19
$800 Tuesdays, 79 pm EST Learn to live with less and design a smaller footprint with this imaginative, interactive studio course. GREEN PRESERVATION OCT 2NOV 6
$600 Wednesdays, 79 pm EST
Learn to assess current conditions, identify features to be preserved, and evaluate appropriate alterations of the structure to improve performance, durability and sustainability.
GREEN REHAB & DEEP ENERGY RETROFITS
OCTOBER 1430
$600 Mon & Wed, 68 pm EST
This course is a “soup-to-nuts” approach to green remodeling, covering all of the essential principles of building science on projects ranging from weatherization to gut rehab to deep energy retrofits.
GENERAL CONTRACTING YOUR OWN HOME
$500
BASIC CARPENTRY
OCTOBER 611
CABINETS & BUILT-INS
$1,250
JUNE 1014 NOVEMBER 1822
Build sturdy plywood cabinetry with solid wood face frames, doors and drawers using the tips and techniques of professional makers.
LGBTQ+ INTRO TO THE WOODSHOP
JUNE 1516 $500 / MATERIALS: $90
Familiarize yourself with the shop while building a solid pine, Shaker-style bench.
FINE WOODWORKING: BUILD A
MAPLE TABLE
JUNE 2428 $1250 / MATERIALS: $150
Learn to edge, join, and glue boards; lay out joints; cut tapered legs; and join rails to legs with mortise and tenon joinery.
FURNITURE MAKING RESIDENCY
JULY 819 $1800 + MATERIALS
Through drawing, model making and full-scale construction, each student will develop a design of their choosing, taking it from concept to finished project. Learn basic design as well as a variety of construction techniques, that can be applied to any project.
ARCHITECTURAL STAINED GLASS
JULY 1314 NOVEMBER 1011 $500 / MATERIALS: $110
Learn basic tools and techniques for laying out, cutting, shaping, and connecting stained glass using the copper foil method by building a panel.
CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS
JULY 2021 $600
Create a custom, single-plane concrete piece while learning the process of forming, mixing, sealing and more.
BOX MAKING
JULY 2022 $700 / MATERIALS: $40
Design and build beautiful wooden boxes, learning skills that will transfer to larger projects
BUILD YOUR OWN SKIN-ON-FRAME CANOE AUGUST 1217 $1000 / MATERIALS: $800
Build and take home your own canoe while learning traditional building methods that have endured the test of time.
FINE WOODWORKING: BUILD A TRESTLE TABLE
NOVEMBER 514
$1,250 / MATERIALS: $150
AUGUST 1923
Tues & Thurs, 68 pm This workshop will take you through the GC process, and what to expect each step of the way. Learn about scheduling, permits, estimating, design plans, loans, the steps of the building process, how to hire and work with subs, and much more..
Develop woodworking skills that can be translated to a variety of projects while building a hardwood trestle table.
WOMEN’S+ INTRO TO THE WOODSHOP AUGUST 2425 $500 / MATERIALS: $90
SUPER INSULATION FOR ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS DECEMBER 216
Familiarize yourself with the shop while building a solid pine, Shaker-style bench.
FINE WOODWORKING: BUILD A
$300 Mondays, 68 pm EST Learn the basics of design and construction for Zero-Energy Building (ZEB) and Net-Zero for new construction & existing homes.
BOOKCASE WITH HIDDEN JOINERY
SEPTEMBER 913 $1,250 / MATERIALS: $100
Explore advanced router techniques, traditional joinery, and treatment of wood while building a bookcase with sliding dovetail joinery.
COMPOSTING TOILETS DECEMBER 312
$400 Tues & Thurs, 6:308:30 pm EST
Learn about different types of composting toilets, and innovative alternatives to conventional wastewater management. INTRO TO SKETCHUP DECEMBER 319 $900 / SKETCHUP: $55 Tues & Thurs, 47 pm EST A comprehensive introduction to Sketchup Pro, the powerful, easy to use 3D modeling software used by architects and designers. ANATOMY OF A HOUSE DECEMBER 319
$600 Tues & Thurs, 79 pm EST Learn the basics of building science, structural engineering, electrical, plumbing, weatherization and energy retrofits. KITCHEN & BATHROOM DESIGN JANUARY 930, 2025
$450 Thursdays, 6:308:30 pm EST Explore the elements of successful kitchen and bathroom design from drafting to functionality and everything in between.
WHOLE STRUCTURE DESIGN/BUILD
FEBRUARY 2428, 2025
Familiarize yourself with power tools, layout and framing while building a small structure.
SHIPPING CONTAINER CERTIFICATE
JUN 10AUG 2
$7,000
CARPENTRY FUNDAMENTALS
Eight-week intensive program converting a 40’ container into a high-performance building.
JANUARY 1819, 2025 $500
Learn the basics of carpentry methods and tools through the completion of a small structure.
$500
TINY HOUSE DESIGN/BUILD CERTIFICATE JAN 27FEB 21, 2025
$4,750 / MATERIALS: $125 Gain hands-on experience designing and drafting your own tiny house on wheels and building a tiny house on wheels for a real client.
WIRE IT UP OCTOBER 2125 $1250 / MATERIALS: $55
This workshop will provide practical hands-on experience with residential wiring HOME DESIGN JAN 2024, 2025 $1,000 / MATERIALS: $55
Explore everything from site planning to materials as you learn the fundamentals required to confidently design a house.
HIGH PERFORMANCE DESIGN/ BUILD CERTIFICATE MARCH 328, 2025 $6000 / MATERIALS: $125 Gain practical, hands-on experience in the design/build process emphasizing high performance, super-insulated residential buildings. BUILD A MASONRY OVEN
JULY 1315
$650
This three-day program will teach all aspects of outdoor oven building from base to dome.
ART OF STONE
AUGUST 49
$1,250
Learn the art of building with natural stone and the intelligence and logic behind it. This course will focus on flatwork and sculptural elements, like walls and archways.
HARVEST & MILL YOUR OWN
LUMBER
AUGUST 2426
$650
An overview of methods and options for small-scale sustainable tree harvesting and wood production.
INTRO TO TADELAKT
SEPTEMBER 2829
$500
In this introductory class, students will learn the basic substrates, materials, tools, and techniques required to create tadelakt finishes.
INTRO TO THE WOODSHOP
$500
SEPTEMBER 2829 $500 / MATERIALS: $90
Familiarize yourself with the shop while building a solid pine, Shaker-style bench.
WOMEN’S+ BEGINNING FURNITURE MAKING OCTOBER 711 JANUARY 1317, 2025 $1,250 / MATERIALS: $75
An introduction to woodworking through the construction of a Shaker-style end table.
ESSENTIAL ROUTER SKILLS
OCTOBER 1920 $450 / MATERIALS: $30
Learn common router uses, plus other tips and techniques, through the creation of a small project.
FINE WOODWORKING: CHAIR
MAKING OCTOBER 2125
$1250 / MATERIALS: $100
Learn chair joinery techniques, especially mortise and tenon, and a variety of seat-making methods through building a chair of your own.
ANATOMY OF A HOUSE
AUGUST 1011
Go “under the hood” of a home, learning the basics of building science, structural engineering, electrical, plumbing, weatherization, energy retrofits, and much more.
SOLAR DESIGN & INSTALLATION
AUGUST 2630
$1250
Make informed decisions regarding the design and installation of a solar electric system, as well as the skills necessary to be actively involved in system implementation. Students will have the opportunity to take the NABCEP exam at the end of the week.
GENERAL CONTRACTING YOUR OWN HOME
JANUARY 2526, 2025
$500
This workshop will take you through the GC process, letting you know what to expect each step of the way. Participants will learn about scheduling, permits, estimating, design plans, loans, the steps of the building process, how to hire and work with subs, and much more.
LGBTQ+ CARPENTRY
FUNDAMENTALS
JUNE 1516
Learn the basics of carpentry methods and tools in a safe, welcoming environment.
WOMEN’S+ BASIC CARPENTRY
JUNE 1621 SEPTEMBER 1520
$1,250
Gain confidence with power tools, layout and framing while building a small structure in a safe, empowering environment.
TIMBER FRAMING CERTIFICATE
JUN 17JUL 12
$4,750 / MATERIALS: $100
The four-week Timber Framing Certificate provides hands-on experience in all aspects of building a timber framed structure.
WOMEN’S+ CARPENTRY FUNDAMENTALS
JULY 1314 $500
Learn the basics of carpentry methods and tools in a safe, welcoming environment.
CERTIFICATE IN RESIDENTIAL
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
JUL 15AUG 9 $4,750 / MATERIALS: $125
MAR 31APR 25, 2025 Learn to design your own home or dwelling while gaining carpentry skills through the construction of a small structure.
TIMBER FRAMING
JULY 2026 $1,650 / MATERIALS: $25
SEPTEMBER 2228 NOVEMBER 410 JAN 1824, 2025 Our classic timber framing offering. Learn traditional mortise and tenon joinery, culminating in a timber frame raising.
TIMBER FRAMING5 DAYS JUL 29AUG 2
$1,250 / MATERIALS: $25
Learn traditional mortise and tenon joinery, culminating in a timber frame raising in a condensed, five-day schedule.
SUSTAINABLE TREEHOUSE
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
AUGUST 39 $1,750 / MATERIALS: $80
Identify sites and design sustainable treehouses, while also gaining basic carpentry skills through the construction of a treehouse platform.
HOME DESIGN/BUILD
AUGUST 1223 $2,550 / MATERIALS: $65 Students will learn home design while gaining carpentry skills through building a small cabin or structure.
COLLABORATIVE DESIGN/BUILD
INTENSIVE AUGUST 1223
$2,000
JANUARY 617, 2025 This intensive course teaches the full design/ build process, from consensus-based design to completion of a structure for a public client.
NATURAL BUILDING CERTIFICATE
AUG 19SEP 27 $6000 / MATERIALS: $40
An opportunity to develop a range of natural building skills for owner-builders and aspiring professional natural builders..
BIPOC CARPENTRY
FUNDAMENTALS
AUGUST 2425 $500
Learn the basics of carpentry methods and tools in a safe, welcoming environment.
YESTERMORROW/UMASS
SEMESTER IN DESIGN/BUILD
AUG 25DEC 3 $12,500 plus credits
An immersive educational experience in the design and build of a small dwelling. Earn 15 credits through the UMass School of Architecture.
INTRO TO TIMBER FRAMING
OCTOBER 56 $450 / MATERIALS: $75
A brief introduction to square rule timber framing. We’ll go over basic layout concepts and terminology and every student will get some hands on experience cutting joinery.
