3.10 Steps & Stairs Workshop – Vermont
Work in a small team to assemble stairs. Come learn design principles for steps, proper base preparation, and how to move and manipulate large stone. Learn, too, how to integrate steps into other hardscape elements.
Workshop Objective:
To provide the basic knowledge required to build steps that are stable, durable, and safe to use.
Learning Outcomes:
- You can discuss how to plan and lay out stairways in an informed manner.
- You can describe how to prepare a solid and well-drained base.
- You can describe ways to move and set large stones.
- You can describe wow to build steps using small stones.
- You can manage your materials and workspace safely and efficiently.
How does step design and construction vary depending on stone size and type? What considerations go into preparing the base depending on drainage and soil type? What tools help ensure that you are building properly to accommodate the forces of friction and gravity? How do you safely move large stones?
Come learn what you need to know to design and build stable, durable, safe steps or stairs. Work with variations in materials and methods. Learn techniques for moving large stones by hand. Consider layout, dimensions, sourcing stones, understanding how to set the elevations with a story pole, shaping the steps, and integrating them into walls and other stonework features.
It is recommended that those registering for this workshop take at least one Level 1.00 or 2.00 course prior to this workshop, but it is not required.
Come learn from certified waller-teachers, most of whom earn their livelihoods as dry stone walling professionals. All Stone Trust instructors have achieved DSWA Level 2 Waller Certification, globally recognized as the professional standard. As Stone Trust-DSWA-certified instructors, all belong to a learning community that seeks to ensure that every one of you learns what you came for and that you enjoy the process. With a student : instructor ratio of 4 : 1, you can count on plenty of direct interaction with your teachers.
PREREQUISITE (any of the following)
1.10 1-Day Intro
1.11 1-Day Women’s Intro
1.20 2-Day Intro
1.21 2-Day Women’s Intro
2.13 1-Day Contractors Intro
2.60 5-Day Contractors Intensive
Training Site
Instructors
Instructor
Michael Weitzner
DSWA-GB Master Craftsman (Level IV)
Instructor
-
Dan Morales-Walsh
-
DSWA-GB Intermediate (Level II)
Sample Workshop Agenda
Hourly Schedule
- 9:00 - 9:30
- Introductions and Overview
- 9:30 - 10:30
- Planning, Materials and Methods, Tools, Techniques for Moving Stone
- 10:30 - 12:30
- Hands-on Practice: Stripping Out, Selecting Stone, Beginning the Build
- 12:30 - 1:00
- Lunch and Conversation
- 1:00 - 4:30
- Hands-on Practice: Building Your Stairs
- 4:30 - 5:00
- Clean-up, Review, Workshop Evaluation
- 5:00
- Thanks for coming! (Certificate of Completion, T-shirts, and walling information)
Please note, instructors use their discretion to organize the day for an optimal learning experience.
Important to Know
- Workshops will run 9:00am-5:00pm with 1/2 hour lunch break.
- Dress in layers. Wear boots and work clothes.
- Bring: gloves, safety glasses, water, and lunch. There is nowhere close enough to buy lunch with in the lunch break.
- Imagine you are preparing someone else’s thirteen-year-old for a day outside building stone walls. Prepare yourself accordingly.
- All tools needed are provided.
Detailed info will be emailed to you once you register including what to bring and directions. You will receive a reminder notice a week or two in advance. Please add the Stone Trust to your contact list to ensure that emails arrive in your inbox.
Licensed Landscape Architects can receive 7.5 LA CES credits for participating in this one-day workshop. You can receive 15 LA CES credits for participating in the two-day version.
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