Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Waitsfield, Vermont offers over 80 hands-on courses per year in design, construction, woodworking, and architectural craft and offers a variety of courses concentrating in sustainable design. Now in its 35th year, Yestermorrow is one of the only design/build schools in the country, teaching both design and construction skills. Our hands-on 1-day to 3-week workshops, certificate programs and semester programs are taught by top architects, builders, and craftspeople from across the country. For people of all ages and experience levels, from novice to professional.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Happy Holidays from all of us at Yestermorrow!

(and Heidi too- missing from this photo)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

On Sale - Meditation Temple to Benefit Scholarship Fund

The meditation temple pictured above is now available for sale at the cost of $1,000 to benefit the Yestermorrow Scholarship Fund. Built from salvaged material, with hundreds of invested hours, this dynamic piece is an excellent example of micro-architecture and as a space can help facilitate quiet reflection.

About the designer/builder:

Aaron Westgate first came to Yestermorrow in 2005, as an enthusiastic intern with a strong sense that the school was doing something unique and essential. Four years and sixteen classes later, he is just as enthusiastic and now completely convinced about the importance of the school’s mission and its ability to influence people to create a better world.

"Yestermorrow taught me about design/build as a curriculum, but also as a philosophy. Think and do, visualize and create; deeply understand context and materials while you explore outside-the-box creativity; let your hands and your head and your heart all mutually reinforce each other. These lessons are by no means confined to architecture and construction. My work is focused on exploring design through the lenses of beauty, functionality, and sustainability. I’m currently building a modern home in Montpelier, and experimenting with salvaged materials to create meditation temples. I'm fascinated by the idea of architecture-for-enlightenment - the concept of designing spaces that facilitate personal peace so that we may engage in the world with more awareness and compassion."

For more information contact Aaron directly at aaron.westgate@gmail.com.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Art Show Preview

These are just a selection of the many amazing handcrafted items that will be on auction this Saturday evening at the 5th Annual Yestermorrow Art Show and Sale. Please join us! Live auction starts at 8:00pm.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

A Time for Giving

Dear friends,

As climate change and its effects become part of our national dialogue, there is great opportunity for Yestermorrow to solidify its position as the leader in green building education.
  • Training for Tomorrow: Yestermorrow is poised to launch innovative new programs to train designers, builders, homeowners and emerging professionals.
  • Leading the Way: Members of our faculty have received national recognition for their leadership in regenerative and high performance design, natural building, and craftsmanship.

  • Walking the Talk: We’re transitioning our campus from oil dependence to renewable energy, installing cutting-edge solar thermal and photovoltaic systems for power and heat.
  • Community Impact: We’re reaching out into the community and partnering with local organizations like the Vermont Foodbank and Housing Vermont to provide expertise and labor for their building projects.

We believe that educating homeowners and professionals about the sustainable design/build process is a critical step in creating strong, healthy, vibrant communities. We are teaching the leaders of tomorrow. But to succeed in this work we need your support.

Your contribution today will finance:

  • The development of a semester-long program in sustainable design/build
  • Campus renovations to improve current facilities and provide additional lodging options
  • Outreach to, and scholarships for, new populations of students currently underserved by our education system

Your contribution is critical to furthering our mission of creating positive change in our community and beyond. A donation to Yestermorrow is a commitment towards creating a more just and sustainable future. Please donate today.


Sincerely,

Kate Stephenson
Executive Director