Hosted by the ICAA Southeast Chapter
This 1½-day workshop explores classical methods for resolving two celebrated stair problems: balancing a quarter-turn stair (producing elegantly proportioned dancing winders) and designing a curved, Fibonacci staircase. We begin by laying out stringers, and treads using classical geometry (compass, straightedge, ruler and scaled drawings). Once the geometry is established, we introduce elements of stereotomy — three-dimensional cutting and template-development techniques — to convert the drawing into precise, shop-ready templates for material layout and cutting.
Instructor:
Patrick M. Moore is an internationally acclaimed carpenter, construction manager, and educator whose career spans multimillion-dollar projects and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship. With a distinguished background that includes leading mega projects for a top construction firm and earning global renown for his expertise in stereotomy, Patrick has become a celebrated authority in historic joinery and the French heritage technique known as L’Art du Trait. Notably, he is the first English-speaking "Compagnon Passant Charpentier" in France, an honor steeped in the rich tradition of the Compagnonnage, and the first North American to earn the Master Craft Certificate for Joinery from The Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers in the United Kingdom.
Beyond his groundbreaking professional achievements, Patrick is a passionate educator and prolific contributor to the academic discourse on heritage carpentry. He founded The Professional School of Practical Stereotomy in Ottawa, empowering a new generation of craftsmen to master age-old techniques with modern precision. His work can be found in museums around the globe, from France to Japan, and his widely published articles in esteemed journals, underscore a career dedicated not only to the practical aspects of construction but also to the preservation and evolution of classical art and architecture. Recognized as a person with an "extraordinary ability" by USCIS, he has received multiple honors including investiture into the Order of Ottawa, The Premier’s Award, and an honorary degree. Patrick’s lecture promises to offer an unparalleled insight into the convergence of tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Recommended Reading:
2021 Visual Interpretations of IRC Stair Codes BOOK – Published by the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association
Techniques of Staircase Construction: Technical and Design Instructions for Stairs Made of Wood, Steel, Concrete, and Natural Stone – Author - Willibald Mannes. ISBN – 9780442260866
The Staircase – Both Volumes – Author – John Templar. Volume 1: History and Theories & Volume 2: Studies of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design
A Treatise on Stairbuilding and Handrailing – Author – W & A Mowat. ISBN – 0941936023
A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding and Tangent Handrailing – Author – George R. diCistina. ISBN - 9780941936637
Modern Practical Stairbuilding and Handrailing – Author – George Ellis – ISBN - 9780941936156
Les escaliers droits et balances en bois - Author - Compagnons Menuisiers du Devoir. ISBN – 9782357720176
Les escaliers courbes en bois massif - Author - Compagnons Menuisiers du Devoir. ISBN – 9782357720183
Les escaliers en bois lamelles colles- Author - Compagnons Menuisiers du Devoir. ISBN – 9782357720206
Architecture et construction des escaliers en bois- Author - Ephrem Longepe. ISBN - 2851010239
Traité théorique et pratique de charpente - Author - Louis Mazerolle. ISBN – 9782851012395
Les escaliers - Author - Compagnons du Devoir. ISBN – 9782357720428
Required Materials:
-Note pad and pencil or pen for taking notes
-Eraser
-Flexible Curve - Recommended - Staedtler
-Large French Curve - 14" Pacific Arc or Giant French Curve 46" Roarockit
-1-meter clear plastic metric ruler - Recommended - By Blundell Harling
-Large drafting triangle - Recommended – 12” or 16” by Pacific Arc
-0.3mm mechanical pencil with extra 2H lead
-Large Heavy Duty Compass - Recommended - 16" by Lee Valley
-Fine tip (0.3mm) colored markers - Recommended – Set of 10 by Steadler
Students may also find the following optional tools useful:
Bench Brush - Recommended – The classic bench brush
This course is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website or contact the Chapter directly for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Construct (Geometry): Use classical straightedge-and-compass constructions to lay out a balanced quarter-turn and curved stair plans and derive the geometry of dancing winders, stringers, volutes, and tread noses.
2. Translate (Stereotomy → Templates): Apply elements of stereotomy to translate two-dimensional drawings into accurate full-size templates (or scaled templates) for curved and enrolled stringers suitable for material layout and production.
3. Balance (Ergonomics & Aesthetics): Apply tread-balancing techniques that distribute step widths through a turn to create a natural walking line that guides the body, improves comfort, and heightens aesthetic alignment with classical proportion.
4. Evaluate & Adjust (Craft & Code): Critically assess a stair layout for comfort, classical composition, code compliance, and craftability, and perform geometric adjustments on the drawing to reconcile proportion with structural and code constraints.