Our goal was to construct a building that would be structurally sound, efficient to heat, low maintenance, and would withstand the test of time.  We wanted a building that was very functional for our hobbies and one in which we could enjoy our family. In short, we wanted to construct a “legacy building”. Having no grandchildren when we began the project we named it “Great Expectations”.  We believe that we have accomplished our goal! (We even have a granddaughter now.) The first step in the process was learning about timber frame construction and meeting with Clark Bremer at Northern Lights Timber Framing.  We contacted several other “timber framers” but none of them had the depth of knowledge, the “can do” attitude and the desire to help us with our goal that we found with Clark and his crew.  It was a very easy process to turn our ideas into actual plan drawings and get the project moving.  We are exceptionally pleased with the results. We particularly want to commend Clark and his crew on their professionalism and teamwork.  When a timber frame is being erected it seems to draw a crowd – people are fascinated by the hands-on construction.  How well these men worked together also fascinated them!  There were no arguments, no harsh words, and no standing around wondering what to do next.  They all knew how the frame was to be erected and they simply got it done!

David and Linda

 

We'll be raising a frame in Door County, WI in August.  It's an addition for Good Eggs Restaurant in Ephraim.

For the 6th year in a row, we'll be sponsoring a team at the North Shore Dragon Boat Festival in Grand Marais, July 27-29.

The Timber Framer's Guild completed a project in Duluth the last week of June.  Our owner, Clark Bremer, was one of the team leaders.  See more photos and read the project blog here.

We raised an unusual pergola in Scandia in early June.  It was designed by Architect Dennis Wedlick.  It has four posts, like most pergolas, but these four are all in a line!

Thanks to everyone who came to our shop to see us for Art-A-Whirl - the annual art crawl in the Minneapolis Arts District.  Our shop is in the historic Thorp Building, the birthplace of Art-A-Whirl, in NE Minneapolis.  Here's a photo of our shop taken in 1940:

We led a timber framing workshop at North House Folk School's Spring Gathering, in Plymouth, MN, Saturday, May 12th.

Our owner, Clark Bremer, just lead a pre-conference workshop at the Timber Framers Guild Western Conference on April 26th in Monterey, CA.  More details on our courses page.  The topic was 3D CAD for Timber Framers.  He also led a seminar on modeling advanced joinery (compound roofs).  Clark is a member of the TFG board of directors, and is very active in training the next generation of Timber Framers.

	We had a booth at the Lake Home and Cabin Show Feb 10-12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi.
	We just finished our annual one-week Introduction to Timber Framing class in our Minneapolis shop, Jan 29 - Feb 4, 2012.  Click here for more photos.

	Clark and Mike taught a Sawhorse Class at North House Folk School Jan 20-22 in Grand Marais.  Click here to see more photos.
	We raised a frame in Lakeville, MN, in December.  More photos after it's completed.

We raised a frame in Scandia, MN, in August.  Look for more photos soon.

Northern Lights sponsored a team in the North Shore Dragon Boat Festival in Grand Marais, July 29-30.  This was our fifth year in the festival, and we took first place in our division!  We took 5th overall, out of 18 teams.  Thanks to all our employees, friends and families who paddled and made this a great weekend.  Here are some more pictures.

We raised a frame near Sandstone in May.

Our owner, Clark Bremer, led a pre-conference workshop at the Timber Framers Guild Western Conference in Port Townsend, WA.  More details on our courses page.  The topic was 3D CAD for Timber Framers.

Our Owner, Clark Bremer, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Timber Framer's Guild of North America.

	One of our former students just raised a frame he cut himself after taking our one-week workshop.  Here's his blog.
	One of our frames, the Annandale Tower, was chosen as "Home of the Month" by the Minneapolis StarTribune for the month of August, 2010.
	We held a Service Project here in our Minneapolis shop February 23-27th, 2010.  We helped a group of parishioners from a local church build a Bell tower.  It was even on the local news (Make sure you play the video)!  It's solid white oak, and should last for generations.

One of our frames, the Annandale Tower, was chosen as "Home of the Month" by the Minneapolis StarTribune for the month of August, 2010.

 

One of our frames, The Copper House, was featured in the July Issue of Quality + Design Magazine.  This is a publication from Angies List.