Staircase Carpentry: Climbing Volute
5 Days: Monday - Friday, July 15th - 19th, 2024, 8AM - 5 PM
Tuition: $1000.00
Ages: 16 & Up
Instructor: Josh Fleming
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
Designing and building custom curved staircases offers a unique set of challenges in drafting, woodworking, and the application of trigonometry. In this class, students will focus on one of the most beautiful parts of a curved staircase, the climbing volute and pedestal. The methods learned by this class are among the rarest known in the building trades today.
A climbing volute and matching pedestal are two components of a decorative stairway where the end of the rail descends in a 270 degree spiral at the bottom of the stairs. The word volute is derived from the latin voluta, which describes a spiral or scroll shaped form. Students will draft full scale plan and elevation drawings, carve and shape a solid block of wood into a section of voluted handrail in accordance with a set of design parameters, and carve a spiral shaped pedestal that will accompany the section of rail which follows the radius and pitch change of the volute. These complex forms can be better understood visually by reducing the three dimensions into separate two dimensional planes, and by a theoretical “unraveling” of the ascending spiral shape by considering it as a curved line that wraps around a conical form, starting off level at the base, gradually curving upward until it matches a pitch of around 35 degrees. Students will learn both the theoretical principles and the practical applications of this field of precise mechanical carving.
Josh Fleming is a third generation woodworker and a second generation stair builder. Growing up, he was always helping his dad with house projects and learning what he could about building furniture and carving. It wasn’t until his early 20s that he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and build custom staircases as a career. 8 years later and now 30 years old, he enjoys a life of self-employment and still has decades of study ahead of him.
Learning Objectives:
Draft a full scale plan and elevation drawing of the curved handrail
Carve and shape a solid block of wood into a section of the voluted handrail
Carve a spiral shaped pedestal
Learn proper joining techniques
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Class Size: Maximum 6 students
Click Here to view our Refund, Cancellation, and Complaint Resolution Policies
If you have any questions about this class, please contact the Administrative Office at (517) 759-3070 or email sambeaufordwoodshop@gmail.com.
AIA Advance Learner Preparation: None
AIA Approved Learning Units & Type: 40 Elective
AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: 12/06/2025
Official AIA CES Provider Statement: Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10009739. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.