Jérémie Abbate - Abbate Charpentier Traditionnel
About
Achievements
Jérémie is a master carpenter from the Rhône-Alpes with 25+ years’ experience. He specialises in heavy timber framing, heritage restoration, bespoke stairwork, and the art of the trait (stéréotomie), blending traditional geometry with contemporary building practice.
Achievements
Achievements
- Restoration: grange Caléchiere (Maison Hurtubise) and the complete restoration of Maison Pierre-Berthelet.
- Public commissions: design and construction of a covered market for Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge.
- International recognition: work exhibited in the “Style Européen” section at the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum (Kobe, Japan).
See his Work
See his Work
Visit Abbate Charpentier for project galleries and contact details (portfolio, restorations, and selected press).
Nathan Gruenwald
About
Achievements
Nathan brings 30+ years of carpentry experience in high-end residential remodeling and custom millwork in San Francisco. His interest in advanced roof framing and curved work began with a recurve roof by Charles Bello in Mendocino. He practices timber framing, participates in community builds with the Timber Framing Guild, and pursues st
Nathan brings 30+ years of carpentry experience in high-end residential remodeling and custom millwork in San Francisco. His interest in advanced roof framing and curved work began with a recurve roof by Charles Bello in Mendocino. He practices timber framing, participates in community builds with the Timber Framing Guild, and pursues stereotomy and L’Art du Trait in both design and execution. blending traditional geometry with contemporary building practice.
Achievements
Achievements
- 2019 scholarship to the Port Townsend School of Woodworking.
- Earned the Advanced Professional Certificate from the Professional School of Practical Stereotomy (June 2022) for a capucine-style groin vault.
- Longstanding record of bespoke curved roofing, timber frames, and finely detailed millwork across the Bay Area.
See his Work
See his Work
Operating as an independent contractor, Nathan continues to take commissions for built-ins, custom furniture, and restorations throughout San Francisco and nearby communities. His work contributes to preserving the region’s architectural character while promoting environmentally responsible building practices.
Patrick Sowers
About
Achievements
Achievements
Pat began his carpentry apprenticeship in Woodstock, Illinois, and has been an active union carpenter since joining United Brotherhood of Carpenters (Local 250) in 1998. He taught at the Mid‑America Carpenters Apprentice & Training Program (full-time instructor from 2014) and, in July 2025, became Training Coordinator for the Chicago-area
Pat began his carpentry apprenticeship in Woodstock, Illinois, and has been an active union carpenter since joining United Brotherhood of Carpenters (Local 250) in 1998. He taught at the Mid‑America Carpenters Apprentice & Training Program (full-time instructor from 2014) and, in July 2025, became Training Coordinator for the Chicago-area campuses, overseeing daily operations and course scheduling.
Achievements
Achievements
Achievements
- Earned Penn State Level III Instructor Certification (Workforce Education & Development). Penn State University
- Received the Professional Certificate in Stereotomy and was admitted as a Fellow (FPSPS) on 17 February 2022. Professional School of Practical Stereotomy
- Integrated stereotomy across the Apprenticeship Program: developed CSAP cou
- Earned Penn State Level III Instructor Certification (Workforce Education & Development). Penn State University
- Received the Professional Certificate in Stereotomy and was admitted as a Fellow (FPSPS) on 17 February 2022. Professional School of Practical Stereotomy
- Integrated stereotomy across the Apprenticeship Program: developed CSAP courses (Stereotomy – Drafting Basics; Stereotomy – Construction Geometry; Heavy Timber Roof Framing) and a Stereotomy Train-the-Trainer module.
See his Work
Achievements
See his Work
Pat teaches and builds from his home shop in Poplar Grove, where he balances instruction, curriculum development, and hands-on projects. For curriculum and program details, see the Apprenticeship Program (mactc.org) or search “Booneframer” on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).
Sim Ayers
About
Achievements
Sim treats stereotomy as a tool for testing and solving complex three-dimensional layout problems on a two-dimensional drawing—an approach he likens to the empirical spirit of Galileo Galilei. Introduced to the field in 2009 in a class with Billy Dillon, he went on to study classic French sources (notably the work of Louis Mazerolle), tra
Sim treats stereotomy as a tool for testing and solving complex three-dimensional layout problems on a two-dimensional drawing—an approach he likens to the empirical spirit of Galileo Galilei. Introduced to the field in 2009 in a class with Billy Dillon, he went on to study classic French sources (notably the work of Louis Mazerolle), translate them into English, and develop practice-led methods for complex forms such as flèche torses and irregular hip roofs. Mentored and supported by Patrick M. Moore, Sim combines scholarship and hands-on problem solving in his work.
Achievements
Achievements
- Translated multiple classic French texts on L’Art du Trait and authored five books on geometry and stereotomy.
- Mastered advanced constructions (e.g., flèche torse and dome-tor drawings) and developed practical techniques for compound and curved roof framing.
- Regularly teaches and publishes methods that make French stereotomy traditions accessible to English-speaking makers.
See his Work
See his Work
Read Sim’s essays and project notes on the SBE Builders blog. Visit SBE Builders Blog and the RafterTools resource page for his publications and instructional materials. RafterTools
Matt Diana
About
Achievements
Matt is the owner of Matt Diana Housewright, a practice in eastern Massachusetts that specialises in historic restoration and timber framing. Trained originally as a mechanical engineer, he retrained at North Bennet's Street School (Preservation Carpentry) and now applies stereotomy regularly in commissions and restorations.
Achievements
Achievements
- Conferred the Professional Certificate in Stereotomy and serves on the School’s Board of Overseers. Professional School of Practical Stereotomy
- Practical conservation impact: used stereotomic layout to reduce rework and preserve original fabric on projects such as the reconstructed waterwheel at Saugus Iron Works National Historical Park.
- Conferred the Professional Certificate in Stereotomy and serves on the School’s Board of Overseers. Professional School of Practical Stereotomy
- Practical conservation impact: used stereotomic layout to reduce rework and preserve original fabric on projects such as the reconstructed waterwheel at Saugus Iron Works National Historical Park.
- Recognition and awards include multiple “Best of the North Shore” restoration builder titles and a Chrysalis award; work has also been featured on This Old House.
See his Work
See his Work
Recent projects span full-frame reproductions, cupolas, gazebos, and large structural restorations for museums and historical societies.