🏡 Reciprocal Green Roof: Structure, Geometry, and Living Roof Design

🏡 Reciprocal Green Roof: Structure, Geometry, and Living Roof Design
📅 October 12–16 (5 days)
💰 $580

Curious about building a self-supporting roof system that’s both elegant and engineered to last?

Join us for this hands-on deep dive into reciprocal green roofs, led by the talented Josh and Sarah of Clay Sand & Soul, skilled natural builders known for their thoughtful design, precise joinery, and living roof expertise.

We’ll focus on the math, mechanics, and materials behind reciprocal roofs: spiral-framed structures celebrated for their strength, symmetry, and ability to support living systems.

Whether you’re dreaming of a garden pavilion, ceremony space, or green-roofed retreat, this workshop will give you the confidence and skill to build it right.

What we’ll cover:

• Reciprocal roof geometry and load-bearing calculations

• Timber selection, angle cuts, and center joinment

• Framing on cob and cordwood wall systems

• Tension distribution and structural stability

• Layering systems for green roofs: waterproofing, drainage, insulation, and soil

• Intro to roof planting and long-term maintenance

You’ll walk away with a full understanding of how to engineer, frame, and finish a reciprocal roof that’s both functional and stunning.

This workshop is part of our Fall Earthbuilding Series at Talking Water Nature Retreat, a family-run gathering space on Suck Creek Mountain in Chattanooga, TN. Together, we’re building a bluff-top amphitheater using only natural and repurposed materials—this roof will be its crown.

🌿 Pricing includes:

• All tools and materials

• Daily breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks

• One homemade, healthy group dinner

💸 Discounts available:

• 10% off for group sign-ups

• 15% off for attending multiple workshops

🏕️ On-site camping: $20 per tent
🏡 Discounted cabin rentals available (limited availability)

📩 Email: Bobbie@TalkingWaterTN.com
🔗 Sign-up & workshop info: talkingwatertn.com
📍 Suck Creek Mountain – Chattanooga, TN (15 mins from downtown, next to Prentice Cooper State Forest)
🔗 Facebook share link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H1dgCprih/

🛠️ Fall 2025 Earthbuilding Workshop Series at Talking Water

Each workshop is a hands-on, focused session. Join just one or come for the whole journey!

🪨 Dry-Stacked Stone Foundations
For drainage & erosion control
📅 August 25–28 (4 days)
💰 $480

🪞 Bottle-Log Windows
For beauty & light diffusion
📅 August 30–31 (2 days)
💰 $315

🪵 Load-Bearing Cordwood Walls
📅 September 13–14 or September 20–21 (2 days)
💰 $315

🌀 Sculptural Cob Walls
📅 September 5–14 (10 days)
💰 $815

🪷 Natural Plasters
Breathable, weather-ready finishes
📅 September 24–28 (5 days)
💰 $580

🏡 Reciprocal Green Roof
Thermal mass & elegant structure
📅 October 12–16 (5 days)
💰 $580