Discover the strength and simplicity of Grindbygg

Norwegian Timber Framing Courses for Beginners and Intermediate

Grindbygg (literal translation: frame building) is an ancient Norwegian style of timber framing. Developed by and for farmers on the windswept west coast of Norway, this system emerged at least 1,000 years ago as a resilient and incredibly fast structure to erect.

While traditional British timber framing relies on complex joinery, Grindbygg is a much simpler trestle-frame system. Historically used for barns and outhouses, these structures are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as outdoor kitchens, workshops, and event spaces for land-based community projects.

Our Norwegian Timber Framing Courses

Our courses offer a hands-on introduction to this unique vernacular style. Led by expert practitioner Richard Andersen, you will learn to work with timber in its most natural form, moving from basic tool use to the satisfying moment of raising a building by hand.

These courses promote the concept of ‘popular education’—a philosophy where every participant’s prior experience is welcomed, and everyone is viewed as both a learner and a teacher.

Upcoming course dates

If there are no dates listed below, or you are unavailable, please fill in an expression of interest here.

Course formats

Courses are held in Llanbrynmair, Wales. The course fee covers all teaching, materials, handouts and contributes to venue hire. Free on-site camping is available for all participants. A communal dinner is included each day, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect with your fellow builders. There are affordable B&Bs in the village for those who prefer four walls.

We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. Subsidised places are limited and are intended for those who truly cannot afford the standard rate. We don’t ask for any proof, but ask that you use your judgement when purchasing. Similarly, with the sponsored rate – if your place is being covered by your employer or earn above 30k, we ask that you play a higher rate to provide access to those who need.

See full Terms and Conditions here.

6-day SQUARE Wood Norwegian Timber Framing Course FOR BEGINNERS

Using mainly hand tools we will construct a traditional Norwegian ‘Grindbygg’ (trestle frame) with the aim that participants should be able to replicate one at home after the course. We will cover basic tool use, basic structural theory of timber framing, and how to raise a building by hand.
The course is for anyone interested in woodwork, either with some prior skill or a complete beginner. Architects and self builders will also find the course useful to learn about a completely different timber framing system to traditional British timber framing. No prior experience is required although useful. Participants will also need to bring their own chisel and mallet. All other tools are provided but do feel free to bring whatever tools you already own that are suited to this style of building.

Solidarity: £795.00 | Standard: £695.00 | Subsidised: £455.00

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6-day ROUND Wood Norwegian Timber Framing Course FOR INTERMEDIATES

The course will cover basic tool use but is primarily aimed at people who have some prior knowledge of woodwork. You don’t need to be an expert or a professional. The pace of learning will be based on the assumption that people have at least a basic understanding of how to use a saw and a chisel to produce a flat surface on a piece of wood. You will be expected to know how to use a spirit level, tape measure and pencil to mark your wood before cutting it.

Experience in axe work is also very useful but not a prerequisite, as we will be covering this on the course. If you have very little experience with woodworking tools we also run a timber framing course for complete beginners, where basic tool use is given more time.

Solidarity: £795.00 | Standard: £695.00 | Subsidised: £455.00

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4-day ROUND Wood Norwegian Timber Framing Course FOR INTERMEDIATES

Course info coming soon

Solidarity: £595.00 | Standard: £495.00 | Subsidised: £295.00

Meet your teacher: Richard Andersen

Richard hails from the south west coast of Norway where the grindbygg emerged as a building system at least 1,000 years ago. He has worked with both traditional and roundwood timber framing in the UK and spent 2 years in Norway learning log cabin building as well as the grindbygg system from traditional builders. He is a passionate believer in popular education, ie. that everyone is always both a learner and a teacher and has something to offer in every context. Richard also works with other natural materials such as clay, straw and lime, but wood is his primary material. He is also promotes cultural exchange between Norway and the UK, mixing different vernaculars from each of his two homelands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the course cost?

Our prices include tuition, all materials, tools and equipment, a daily communal dinner and refreshments.

Are accommodation and food included?

Free on-site camping is available for all participants. A communal dinner is included each day, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect with your fellow builders.

What are the daily timings for the training?

Practical courses are usually 9am to 5pm. Those not camping on-site should arrive at 8.45 if they want a cuppa beforehand, and we’ll have breaks mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Lunch will be about 12.30 -1.30. Participants need to provide their own lunch, but light refreshments will be provided – tea/coffee/herbals etc. We normally finish at 4pm on the final day in case people have to travel.

Can all physical abilities join this course?

If participants have health needs or injuries, we will do our best to accommodate them, and participants are free to take time out over and above the breaks, mid-morning and afternoon, and at lunchtime, subject to informing the trainer. We ask that participants communicate their health needs to us prior to the course, or to make the trainer aware before the course starts. If you are not able to fully participate in all of the practical work, you will still gain valuable learning from observing and asking questions.

What is your refund policy?

The full terms and conditions of purchasing a SNaB training course can be found here – this includes our refund policy.

How do participants arrive to the training?

The School of Natural Building believes in the urgency of the climate challenge, and our work is fundamentally about supporting a low-carbon future where people live in ways which bring us closer to the earth, back into community with our ecosystem and back to ourselves. For this reason, we urge participants to travel to our course locations via public or shared transport where possible. We’ll connect course participants via an optional WhatsApp group in advance of the course, to facilitate ride-sharing.

Book a private course

All of these course formats are available for groups up to 8. Drop us an email to discuss your needs and potential dates: hello@schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk
Perfect for community groups, students or carpenters embarking on a specific project.

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