Professional Profile

Bruno Sutter 

Bruno grew up in Eastern France and received his education through the Compagnon du Devoir, which is an elite French organization of craftsman and artisans dating as far back as the middle ages.  Their traditional, technical education includes taking a tour as they learn their trade, the Tour de France.  They travel around the world working for reputable companies recognized by the Compagnon.  After the tour, applicants can receive their title of Compagnon (equivalent to a masters degree) if they have met all the necessary requirements. Bruno entered the program in his teenage years and after 2 years received the  Certificat d'Aptitude Professionelle, which is a diploma in France for basic trade qualification.   After this achievement, he began his Tour de France and traveled all over the world working for various companies .  Over a period of 8 years Bruno transitioned from apprentice, to journeyman, and then master.  During that 8 years he worked in areas of design, layout, cutting, and raising of traditional timber frame, glu-lam, and conventionally framed structures.  He also participated in restoration projects and staircase construction.   In addition to his work, he furthered his education and training by participating in workshops where he gained certificates in statics engineering, historic building preservation and restoration, material bending strength, roof dormers, etc.   In March of 2001 he received the Certificat de Perfectionnement Professionel  establishing himself as a professional in France.  Bruno then went on to work as a site and shop foreman for Bruteul,  where he oversaw the restoration of several church steeples dating as far back as the 15th century. He also provided supervision for new commercial building construction during this time.  He left the company in France after about a year and then traveled to the US to work for a company in New Hampshire.  Bruno worked there for about 14 months as a job captain in charge of layout, cutting, and raising of all complex structures involving compound members (hip and valley rafters). In 2003 he traveled back to France where he worked part-time teaching for the Compagnon du Devoir as a timber frame instructor with a 98% success rate for his students.   From 2003-2005 Bruno worked part time for two other companies while teaching.  He was an estimator for Veron-Diet, where he worked on time and material estimation for over 250 residential and commercial wooden structures.  He also worked part time as a Cadwork designer for Synergie Bois, where he produced 3d and 2d drawings for various timber frame companies. Projects ranged from traditional timber framed structures to commercial glu-lam structures and everything in between.  In October of 2004 Bruno received his Brevet Professionnel Charpentier.  This is an advanced certificate equivalent to a masters degree in wooden design/construction.  In 2005 Bruno moved back to the US to work for the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC.  He is the head of the wood department and a professor of timber framing and carpentry.  Bruno wrote the entire 4 year curriculum for the timber framing program as well as parts of the carpentry curriculum.  He continues to teach at ACBA today.  Over the past 9 years he has done free lance work for timber frame companies, architects, and private clients throughout Europe, North America, and Central America.  This brings us to his role today as co-owner of Timber Artisans LLC.  His knowledge, experience, and accomplishments are the backbone of this company.  If our pictures don't convince you to use us for your next project, we hope his experience and expertise will. To get to know Bruno on a more personal level click here - "Meet the Owner"