The American College of the Building Arts

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Architectural Carpentry

Carpentry is one of the two wood specializations. It is combined with Timber Framing for the first two years and branches off during the third and fourth years. Most people are familiar with carpentry, but our focus is on the architectural aspects of it. So rather than the stuff inside a house, we focus on the house itself. This means: doors, sashes, windows, moldings, cabinetry, etc rather than furniture. However we do offer some furniture electives and many of our students opt into making a piece of furniture as their final project.


Blacksmithing

Everyone has seen Forged in Fire or some crazy person on Youtube making battle-axes. We wish we could say we're more serious than those crazies, but blacksmithing seems to be the provence of mad scientists. If you are looking for the island of misfit toys, look no further! If you want to get covered in soot, make crazy contraptions, have tons of creativity, and enjoy working in the shop more than leisure time, this is the place for you. For every kid whose made a backyard forge with a weber grill and a hair-dryer, you will have finally found your people.

Jeremiah Price, Sophomore
Bryson Keefer, Senior
Work by Ryan Woodall, Senior
Work by Bryson Keefer and Ryan Woodall

Classical Architecture and Design

The Classical Architectural Design program at the American College of the Building Arts is educating and training the next design leaders in our modern world. The architecture faculty at ACBA encourages students to develop critical approaches to design that will result in a more beautiful and sustainable environment. Through study and research of the Classical tradition, professional externships, and critique from practicing architects and design professionals our students will go on to be the new thought leaders in architecture and urban design.

Work by Madisyn Hostetler, Sophomore.
Work by Prof. Andy Taylor
Classical Architecture Studio
Classical Architecture Studio

Heritage Masonry and Stonecarving

Stone architecture and sculpture continues to astound and delight people today, as it has for centuries. From restoration to new construction, our program will guide students through all aspects of the stone industry. While visiting older cities, if you’ve wondered how gargoyles, ornately-carved door surrounds or statues are made, this is the place to learn how it’s done. Our course work will walk a student through every stage including the introduction of quarrying techniques, or splitting large slabs of stone, to carving the most intricate details by hammer and chisel, or even learning of robotic tool trends. Essentially, our degree program will focus on the skills required in decorative carving, letter cutting, and architectural banker masonry but also provide a few fundamentals in masonry construction and restoration techniques. Ultimately the architectural stone carving and masonry program will provide a comprehensive approach to successfully compete within the current construction market, while developing a student’s core strengths to become a thoughtful and proficient artisan.


Plaster

Plaster is one of those things that once people see it in person, they fall in love with it, but if they never see it, they could go their whole lives missing out. For all of those kids who are artistically inclined but don't know what to do, they just want to make finely detailed beautiful pieces, come check out plaster! It doesn't have HGTV shows like many of the other trades, but the stuff you can make is truly extraordinary.


Timber Framing

Timber Framing is one of the two wood specializations. It is combined with Architectural Carpentry for the first two years and branches off during the third and fourth years. Timber Framing refers to complex systems of joinery that typically involve large beams of timber. These are typically huge projects that involve complicated interlocking systems of joinery the result of which lasts hundreds of years compared to modern stick frame construction that is lucky to last a day past the mortgage expires.