Natural Building Camp 4 Techniques 4 Days, Portugal

Natural Building Camp | Organized by O Tom da Terra

📅 7th–10th August | 📍 Cheleiros, Portugal | 💶 €250 (includes food + camping)

Join us for an inspiring 4-day hands-on workshop in the beautiful hills of Cheleiros where we’ll dive deep into the world of natural building, focusing on COB construction, earthen plasters, a lime stabilized-earth plaster, and the amazing Moroccan technique of Tadelakt.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to expand your sustainable building skills, this experience will equip you with practical techniques, deeper material understanding, and a strong connection to earth-based architecture. Led by clay artisan Tom and our guest teacher, lime plasterer Isaac.

SCHEDULE. 

7th August – Exploring Earth & COB with Tom

• Introduction to different natural building techniques
• Soil testing: learn how to assess local materials
• Intro to our COB base layer:
  • What is clay?
  • What is COB and why use it?
  • Clay vs. Cement – what’s the difference?
• Practical: Mixing and applying your first COB base layer

8th August – Plastering Beginnings with Tom

• Morning: COB base layer work continues
• Afternoon Lectures: All about earthen plasters
• Afternoon Practical: Mixing and applying plasters with hands-on technique

9th August – Earthen Plaster Refining with Tom and Lime Stabilized Earth with Isaac

• Morning: Smoothing, layering, and finishing techniques for real-world use
• Afternoon: Lime-stabilized- earth base layer

10th August – Tadelakt with Isaac

• A full-day deep dive into the elegance Tadelakt
• Learn from Isaac as he guides you through this waterproof lime plastering method, known for its beauty and durability
• There will be opportunities for practical experience on both sample boards and larger walls.

TOTAL INVESTMENT CAMP: €250

Includes:

✔️ All tuition and materials

✔️ Delicious plant-based meals

✔️ On-site camping space

✔️ Access to a growing community of natural builders

FOOD The food is plant-based. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on 7 – 8 – 9 of August. Breakfast and lunch are served on the 10th of August.

INSTRUCTORS:

Tom: Will guide the workshop throughout the first 2,5 days, introducing the students to the fascinating world of clay. With passion and contemplation Tom explores our understanding of this material, we learn its diverse shapes, and get our hands dirty using what surrounds us.

Isaac: Experienced lime plasterer and furniture maker, leading the last 1,5 day of Lime Stabilized Earth and Tadelakt. He will guide us towards an understanding of lime and the raw materials, tools, and techniques used in the application of tadelakt.

LOCATION: Cheleiros, Portugal

Beautiful outdoor rural setting in the hills of the Mafra-Sintra border. The land has the Rio Lizandro streaming right by so you’ll hear it all day long (exact directions shared closer to date). Looking for peace and serenity before a busy workshop day? The valley lends itself to morning walks. The closest beach is about 20 minutes away, good for a sunset visit! And if the desire is there (it always is), we light the fire.

ACCOMODATION There is space for camping on the land or to park your van next to the river.

LANGUAGES The workshop will be in English, with Portuguese translation available throughout.

ADD-ONS 

• There is a campervan available to sleep in at additional cost, contact us.

• Our host Matthieu is a practitioner of traditional chinese medicine, offering his massages during the workshop at additional cost.

CANCELLATION POLICY Organizing a workshop takes a lot of energy, we hope you understand the following policy, it’s the only way to make our work possible.

• Up to 14 days before the workshop starts:
  You’ll receive a full refund.
• 7 to 13 days before the workshop:
  We’ll refund 50% of your fee.
• Less than 7 days before the workshop:
  Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer a refund at this stage due to planning and material costs.

After filling in the pre-inscription you’ll receive the payment details, your spot can only be confirmed after having received the payment in full! Closer to date, we’ll check in with more information (packlist suggestions, exact address etc.).

Spots are limited – secure yours now!

Email: tmvwell@gmail.com

WhatsApp/Phone: +31 6 45205489

Instagram: @otomdaterra

Website: otomdaterra.com