Upcoming Events
Natural Building Four-Part Series
This is a 4-part series that covers practice and theory of structural systems (timber framing), insulation (straw bales) and thermal mass wall systems (cob, adobe, wattle and daub). Each intensive lasts 3 days (Friday-Sunday) in May. For maximum learning, you can stay on site for the entire month and get more practice in between workshops. This is an unusual opportunity to learn nearly all aspects of building a hybrid natural home from experienced instructors in a hands-on setting. Fee includes…
Find out more »Natural Builidng Part 1: Introduction to Round Pole Framing and Ecological Forest Management
Part one in a 4-part series that covers practice and theory of structural systems (timber framing), insulation (straw bales) and thermal mass wall systems (cob, adobe, wattle and daub). This workshop covers ecological forest management and timber selection, pole harvesting and peeling, timber framing fundamentals and design, selecting and caring for tools, timber framing fundamentals including layout, mortise-and-tenon joinery, bent assembly and frame raising. Fee includes all organic meals and on-site camping. For maximum learning, you can stay on site for the…
Find out more »Natural Builidng Part 2: Building with Straw Bales and Cob; Materials Selection and Soil Analysis
Part two in a 4-part series that covers practice and theory of structural systems (timber framing), insulation (straw bales) and thermal mass wall systems (cob, adobe, wattle and daub). This workshop covers manual cob mixing and building, best practices for building with straw bales, clay soil analysis and harvesting, foundations, sitework and drainage. Fee includes all organic meals and on-site camping. For maximum learning, you can stay on site for the entire month and get more practice in between workshops. Instructors…
Find out more »Natural Building Part 3: Building with Earth: Cob, Clay Plasters & adobe Blocks; Construction Details
Part three in a 4-part series that covers practice and theory of structural systems (timber framing), insulation (straw bales) and thermal mass wall systems (cob, adobe, wattle and daub). This workshop covers mechanized cob mixing and building, mixing and applying earthen base coat plasters, cob trimming, sculpting and detail work, preparing clay slip and chopped straw, making adobe blocks, installing doors and windows, plumbing and wiring in natural wall systems, and a tour of nearby natural buildings. Fee includes all organic…
Find out more »Natural Building Part 4: Building with Adobe, Cob, Wattle and Daub; Thermal Properties and passive Solar Design
Part four in a 4-part series that covers practice and theory of structural systems (timber framing), insulation (straw bales) and thermal mass wall systems (cob, adobe, wattle and daub). This workshop covers cob mixing and building, cob trimming, sculpting and detail work, building an adobe arch, building wattle-and-daub and clay-wattle walls, thermal properties of natural materials, passive solar design, hybrid natural building design, planning and sequencing your natural building, plastering and finishing options. For maximum learning, you can stay on site…
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