Handshouse Studio is a non-profit, innovative, educational organization that creates adventurous hands-on projects with communities, institutions, and partners around the world as a way to illuminate history, understand science, and perpetuate the arts.
The Notre-Dame Project is on the Move!
Ethan Higgins of Roof Jumper Timber Frames guides a group of Handshouse participants in walking the lower cord of the reconstructed Notre-Dame de Paris truss #6 through the streets of Washington DC from where it was on display at the National Mall to its exhibition at the National Building museum. This hands-on transport was made possible thanks to Grigg Mullen III’s Precise Solutions’ timber cart. Ethan Higgins will be leading the reassembly of the truss in Ann Arbor on October 17th!
Upcoming Notre-Dame Project Events
Handshouse Studio Notre-Dame Project Rooster Project Leader, Metalsmith Joe Wood reconstruction a 1:1 scale model of the 19th century rooster that perched on the top of the Notre-Dame de Paris spire, until the roof was destroyed by fire on April 15, 2019.
The Rooster Project
As part of the Handshouse Studio: Notre-Dame Project, the full-scale work-in-progress reconstruction of the 19th century Notre-Dame copper rooster is on display at the Paul Revere Heritage Site for the exhibition, “Copper!”. The three-floor exhibit pays homage to Revere’s expertise through historical and contemporary copper artwork modeled after Revere’s copper engraving, hammering, bending and stamping methods.
When: May - Feb 2025, Saturdays: from 11:30AM to 2:30PM
Exhibition Opening: Saturday, November 2nd from 1-3pm
Where: Paul Revere Heritage Site, 2 Rolling Mill Way, Canton, MA
A student assembles the apse—the roof structure of the iconic semicircular end of the Notre-Dame Cathedral—on Handshouse’s La Forêt Model.
La Forêt Model Exhibit at Columbia U.
In collaboration with students from Columbia’s Medieval and Renaissance Studies program, Handshouse Studio’s 1:10 scale white oak model of “La Forêt,” Notre-Dame’s notably intricate roof structure, will be on display at Columbia University St. Pauls Chapel for public viewing in conjunction with a performance of Gregorian Chant and Early Polyphony from Notre Dame de Paris!
When: October 29, 6:30-8:30 pm, Free and open to the public (Click here: Registration is Required).
Where: Columbia University, St. Pauls Chapel, 1160 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
Handshouse Projects are possible from the Support of our community!
Handshouse Studio cofounder, Rick Brown, was invited to TEDx Natick in January 2020
to speak about the unique teaching philosophy—he and Handshouse cofounder, Laura Brown, developed together—that fueled the creation of Handshouse Studio.
Projects in the News/
Timber Framing: Journal of the Timber Framers Guild, June, 2022/ Articles by Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project from participants.
Atlanta Constitution Journal/ The Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project on display at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta, GA April 2022
Smithsonian Magazine/ The Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project at Catholic University campus in Washington, DC August 2021
Georgia Bulletin/ The Notre-Dame Truss Project exhibition at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta, GA until April 25th. Photo by Johnathon Kelso
ABC News Chronicle 5/ The Handshouse Studio team raising our Notre-Dame de Paris truss reconstruction on the National Mall August 5th, 2021
Members of Congress visited the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland/ Viewing our Gwoździec Synagogue reconstruction!
The Mariner/ “La Forêt” Model Workshop, part of the Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project offered Handshouse Studio in Norwell, MA March 2022
Timber Framing: Journal of the Timber Framers Guild, March, 2022/ Articles by Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project from participants
New York Magazine, CURBED/ The Handshouse Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project workshop in Washington, DC. Photo: Greg Kahn/GRAIN
Timber Framing: Journal of the Timber Framers Guild, September, 2021/ Articles by Notre-Dame de Paris Truss Project from participants
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews/
Handshouse Studio’s reconstruction of the Gwoździec Synagogue ceiling painting and timber roof are on display as part of the CORE exhibition at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Warsaw, Poland
The Handshouse Studio Bushnell Turtle Revolutionary War Submarine reconstruction on display in the front lobby of the new International Spy Museum. Check it out!
Washington, DC at L'Enfant Plaza
There’s always room for more hands!
Say hello to our newest team member at Handshouse! We are elated to expand our staff to welcome Eva Carter (they/them) on staff as an Assistant Director for the fall. Eva is joining us to support Marie with the breadth of administrative-organizational work required to orchestrate the unique types of programming Handshouse offers.