APPRENTICESHIP SUMMARY

Under the mentorship of Jason Fox, Zachary Sherman will apprentice in Japanese timber framing through hands-on design-build work. The training will emphasize traditional Japanese joinery, frame design, and layout, with a deliberate focus on increasing speed and accuracy when cutting joinery using both hand and power tools. A core aim of the apprenticeship is to develop professional-level production skills that make large-scale timber framing economically viable. One project will be the design and construction of a new shop structure, supported by Zachary’s experience in place-based architecture. This includes building a to-scale timber-frame model to study the structural design and joinery selection. Zachary will leave his apprenticeship with a solid, practical grounding in Japanese carpentry tools, hand-skills, and design principles, enabling him to lead design-build projects of his own as he works to help places come to life.

MENTOR

Jason Fox (Mercer, Maine)

Jason Fox is a carpenter, timber framer and teacher specializing in Japanese woodworking. After studying carpentry in Japan he began growing his design/build company, Never Stop Building, specializing in traditional Japanese architectural elements, shoji doors, tea rooms, timber frames, and furniture. Founder of the Wabi Sabi School for Japanese Craft, he leads hands-on workshops ranging from beginner tool skills to full timber frame builds focusing on practical craft grounded in natural materials, precision, mindfulness and tradition.

“I chose to take on Zach as an apprentice because not only does he have a commitment to craft and doing good work for it’s own sake, but we genuinely get along together. He is deserving of dedicated training and time to develop his skills as it seems to me he very much wants to integrate this work into a wholistic approach to life and existing within a community.” – Jason Fox

APPRENTICE

Zachary Sherman (Mercer, Maine)

Zachary is a craftsperson dedicating his life to cultivating cultures-of-place through craft, wild-tending, and ritual. After completing a program in Christopher Alexander’s architectural methods, he is now training with Jason in Japanese timber framing. Ultimately he plans to create beautiful buildings and places with friends in the world of wild-tending, craft, and Zen Buddhism

“I took a class this year from Jason and was energized and inspired by the work we did together. There are tons of skills I want to learn, from felling trees to traditional layout techniques, to create beautiful traditional buildings from locally available trees. Jason is one of the few people in this country who is capable of teaching these skills, and is excited to dive deep into the old traditional techniques for the duration of this apprenticeship– a wholly unique opportunity.” – Zachary Sherman