[ May 25, 2012 7:00 pm to June 3, 2012 7:00 pm. ] In addition to our internship program (now in its third year), we are offering two natural building intensives at the Village Arts Building Project—a multi-story, timber framed, planned studio co-op.

Ten-day Natural Building Intensive, with Mollie Curry & Steve Kemble*
Friday, May 25 – Sunday, June 3 – $800
Extended Weekend Option: May 25 – 28 – $375

Natural [...]

[ May 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012. ] Natural Building with Spirit,
Karma Yoga Program

An in-depth, intensive study of natural building, natural living, yoga, and meditation

AVAILABLE MAY TRHOUGH OCTOBER

• BUILD A NATURAL BUILDING TO CODE
• LEARN HOW TO TIMBER FRAME WITH
ROUND WOOD
• LEARN HOW TO BUILD WITH
STRAWBALES AND COB (BALECOB)
• LEARN TO CREATE A PERMACULTURE
GARDEN TO FEED YOURSELF
• STUDY SOLAR ENERGY, GREY WATER
HARVESTING, SOLAR [...]

[ May 1, 2012 to July 13, 2012. ] Building with Spirit Apprenticeship Program
An in-depth, intensive study of natural building, natural living, yoga, and meditation

AVAILABLE ANYTIME FROM MAY TRHOUGH OCTOBER

• BUILD A NATURAL BUILDING TO CODE
• LEARN HOW TO TIMBER FRAME WITH
ROUND WOOD
• LEARN HOW TO BUILD WITH
STRAWBALES AND COB (BALECOB)
• LEARN TO CREATE A PERMACULTURE
GARDEN TO FEED YOURSELF
• STUDY SOLAR ENERGY, GREY WATER
HARVESTING, [...]

[ August 11, 2012 to August 18, 2012. ] This workshop will familiarize students with the basic family of natural building materials: clay or earth, straw, wood, and stone, and what can be accomplished with each alone and in combination with the others. At least half of each day is spent on hands-on building with a high ratio of experienced instructors. This year’s projects [...]

[ July 7, 2012 to July 14, 2012. ] Hello friends!!

We are very excited to announce that we are hosting a pallet/ light straw clay workshop!!!

Pallet construction is the process of using pallets as modular framing members to create a wall structure.

Light Straw Clay is a process of bathing loose straw into a clay “slip” (clay blended with water to a soupy consistency) then [...]

[ May 1, 2012 to June 1, 2012. ] Begins May 1st – 4 months long

This system is a “Light Clay” wall system with a framed Matrix that stands inside a beautiful Japanese timberframe. Econest owner and Instructor Robert Laporte has partnered with OUR ECOVILLAGE and EcoNest Affiliate facilitator Chris Koehn, of Timber Guides, to co-facilitate this amazing synergy of organizations, builders and [...]

[ June 5, 2012 to August 9, 2012. ] This system is a “Light Clay” wall system with a framed Matrix that stands inside a beautiful Japanese timberframe. Econest owner and Instructor Robert Laporte has partnered with OUR ECOVILLAGE and EcoNest Affiliate facilitator Chris Koehn, of Timber Guides, to co-facilitate this amazing synergy of organizations, builders and skills in creating a mandala style/ecological design [...]

[ July 23, 2012 to September 18, 2012. ] Start Date / End Date:: July 23 – August 18th – 2012

This will go down in history as the all time amazing cob and natural building internship (some also call it an apprenticeship). The combination of COBWORKS and O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE together on a course brings the best of many worlds together.

Give yourself a month of [...]

[ July 14, 2012 to July 28, 2012. ]

Cob, Thatch, Straw, and Timber
– a start-to-finish Natural Building!Cob Cottage Company is happy to co-sponsor this incredible opportunity with some of the finest Natural Building Instructors (and CCC alumni) in the world!
Whether you are an aspiring artisan, a prospective owner-builder, or enthusiastic hobbyist, this two week course is a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience [...]

[ May 26, 2012 to June 2, 2012. ] We will be teaching a 7 day cobwood workshop detailing how to build a free standing house utilizing this method of natural building.

Cordwood/Cobwood masonry’s origins are unknown. There are some homes in Canada that are between 100 and 200 years old. In the United States, there’s a house at the Old World Wisconsin Museum that [...]

[ June 23, 2012 to June 24, 2012. ] Join us for a 2 day introduction to the art of natural finishes.

Hands-on learning will include base coat and finish coats of earth plastering on a small cob cottage. We will learn about clays and natural pigments and how to create your own recipes.

[ March 31, 2012 to April 1, 2012. ] Learn to build, plaster, and decorate earthen buildings in this three-part series. During this weekend course, build with bricks and mud mortar, sculpt creative shapes in Cob (puddled adobe), and learn to finish these works with an earthen plaster.

$120 ($300 for all three New Mexico courses)

Lunch included.

[ April 21, 2012 to April 22, 2012. ] Learn to build, plaster, and decorate earthen buildings in this three-part series. During this weekend course, learn the finer points of water-proofing Adobe, finish plasters, and earthen paints (alizes). Achieve a wide variety of textures, colors, and durability.

$120 ($300 for all three New Mexico courses)

Lunch included.

Adobefliercolor.pdf (741 KB)

[ May 5, 2012 to May 6, 2012. ] Learn to build, plaster, and decorate earthen buildings in this three-part series. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo by building an Horno. All phases of oven construction will be explored in this fun, hands-on class.

$120 ($300 for all three New Mexico courses)

Lunch included.

Adobefliercolor.pdf (741 KB)

[ May 19, 2012 to May 20, 2012. ] Learn the ins and outs of designing structures that use earthen materials. This course is absolutely packed with information, including site selection, soil sampling, history, and various applications of earthen materials to achieve shelter. This theoretical course is best paired with a future hands on course.

Lunch included.