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SUMMARY:Tennessee Complete Cob Cottage For ALL in the Fall!
DESCRIPTION:OUR LOVELY HOSTS\n  \n\n \nA Southern-Style Welcome awaits us with River & Mike:) \n\n  \nRiver & Mike will welcome us with open hearts and smiles into their sanctuary home for this southern-style US workshop! Born in South Dakota\, River has travelled throughout the States constantly\,  led by her deep hungry passion for learning all kinds of primitive\, survival and natural wilderness living skills. She loves attending workshops and as a host she will be very well-prepared after attending her first full-build cob workshop taught by CruzinCobGlobal in Tasmania in 2026. Her partner\, Mike\, is an Ohio native. He is a full-time dentist who loves carpentry and building with his hands\, and taking care of people’s teeth who can’t afford it. Together\, Mike and River enjoy gardening and spending time in nature\, whether it’s kayaking the local rivers\, hiking mountain trails\, or foraging for mushrooms. \n  \n\n \nSoil testing lookin’ good! \n\n  \nOur home in the woods is set on a 30-acre plot in Decatur\, TN\, halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga. This cozy homestead is one-third relaxing forest and two-thirds rolling grassy pasture. Deer and many small forest animals call this place home. The host site will have many beautiful and varied camping spots in the woods and open pasture for the students\, as well as outdoor compost toilets\, an outdoor and indoor shower\, a massive outdoor movie screen with firepit\, a beautiful vegetable garden and much more as we grow this year. We plan to use the cob house as a center for learning and healing. \nHere there is no shortage of ways to spend time in the great outdoors on the weekends. We are about an hour’s drive from The Great Smokey Mountains National Park\, America’s most visited park and only 17 minutes from the Hiawassee River for kayaking. This region is home to some of the best hiking trails you can find\, with caves\, waterfalls and gorgeous views. River will be a great guide for those who want to explore every weekend.  For those who want to ditch the hiking boots and explore the city life\, both Chattanooga and Knoxville are rich with art\, culture\, rich cuisine\, and entertainment. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE PROJECT\n  \n\n \nBelgium Cob Cottage\, 2025 \n\n  \nWorkshop students will be building the first COB structure on the Land and we are honored River & Michael have chosen COB to represent the start of his project\, to be built in an intimate\, sacred and soulful way and created\, as always\, with 12-15 pairs of loving and passionate muddy hands and feet.  Starting with the “boots”\, symbol for the stone foundation\, to the “hat”\, our indestructible\, gorgeous trademark reciprocal green roof\, we will cover EVERYTHING important in between!  You will leave blissed out\, confident\, transformed\, inspired\, motivated\, excited\, and ready for more.  Be prepared for a total life makeover\, and renewed strength and empowerment to fearlessly lead a life TRUE to yourself!  We see this in every workshop year after year.  It’s called “Cob Therapy” and it happens organically whether you intend it or not:) \n  \n\n \nThe sheathing before the green roof goes on! Belgium\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe will be building a 14m2/154ft2 round building (final size is always dependent on class number but this is usually the outcome). The breathtaking reciprocal roof structure we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is\, due to its interlocking spiral structure\, which holds itself up with no outward pressure on the monolithic round wall of the building. In addition\, it mirrors the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies\, who meet under these types of roofs for council circles\, as we will do weekly throughout the 5 weeks\, to support all the inner and outer work happening. \n  \n\n \nThe sprint to the door and a completed finish floor\, the last step of the workshop! Belgium\, 2025 \n\n  \n\n \nHappy Cob Sculptor in Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch.  In week 1\, we dig the foundation trench and fill it with landscape-wrapped drainage rock/gravel followed by a sturdy 30cm-wide aesthetic natural stone stemwall to support the cob wall and roof.  We finish the week off by pouring the first layer of adobe/cob floor on a layer of insulation underlain by a gravel drainage base and wrap up with the door(s) installation.  In weeks 2 & 3\, we build the monolithic cob wall\, layer by layer\, with all its detailed insertions (windows\, shelves\, electrical housing\, hooks\, niches\, bottles\, desk/counter\, anchors and roof connectors)\, and finish week 3 off with 2 days of relaxed sculpting.  In week 4 we plaster our beautifully-decorated and solid wall with an earthen/fermented manure scratch coat mix.  On Friday we build and install the Reciprocal Roof primary rafter structure and in week 5 we complete the structure and sheathing to support the impermeable Green Roof covering.  On the final days we will finish the top of the wall as well as the second finish floor coat\, ready for Graduation and the Celebration on Saturday evening.  Sunday morning is our Closing Circle followed by our final Lunch together and before the afternoon public Open House\, when the final project is revealed to the outside world! \n  \n\n \nKenya Cob friendship\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe encourage non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and aim for a healthy balance of races\, cultures and languages.  CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people\, so we can create international cob building families where all students grow and learn on a personal and interpersonal level.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2026! \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION\n  \n\n \nBelgium Cob Maker\, 2025 \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience.  Students arrive on Saturday before dinner and Sunday by 12pm and settle in. The two meals offered on Saturday (dinner) and Sunday (brunch) are optional and an additional fee of 10€ each.  The Workshop begins at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch\, around 2pm. Students can arrive a day before (Saturday) to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs\, or pay the extra meal fees . The Opening Circle begins promptl \n  \n\n \nAll hands on deck fo the Ancestor Stones which will support our build! Belgium\, 2025 \n\n  \ny at 4pm\, followed by a Host Site Orientation at 5:30pm\, Dinner at 6:30pm and an Introduction to the Project by the Instructors at 7:30pm.  We require that students arrive Saturday before dark or Sunday by 12pm AT THE LATEST!!! We need to begin ALL TOGETHER\, as the most important information for the success and smooth-running of the workshop and the well-being of the students will happen on Sunday between 4pm and 8:30pm.  It is very inconvenient for students\, Host\, Instructors and the group\, when someone arrives late and misses any of the opening sessions.  Please be punctual because Monday morning at 9 am we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building and students need to be prepared and ready to go!!!! \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture at 2:30pm\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n  \n\n \nAll smiles in Week 1! Belgium Host got to be a student\, 2025 \n\n  \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings throughout the workshop after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings except Tuesdays are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 14m2 curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Bottles\, Niches\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation\, Sculpting)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE\nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast\n8:30-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Council Circle (Tues) & Slides/Videos/Discussion (Thurs) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \nCOURSE CONTENTS\nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
 slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench \npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable) \nbuilding foundation stemwall \nanalyzing soils and materials \nmaking test bricks \ndeciding on correct mixture \ndeciding on best location \nmaking cob w/ partner and solo
 building with cob \npreparing and inserting the door \npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows \npreparing and inserting shelves \ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects \ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)* \ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)* \nsculpting \npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat) \npouring an earthen floor (2 coats) \npreparing walls for roof connection \nbuilding reciprocal roof frame \nputting on roof sheathing and other elements \ninstalling impermeable liner and green roof components \nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects (time permitting) \n  \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material 
also includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC) \ncost analysis \ncreating a cob business (building/teaching) \nassisting\, building and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION\nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof) \nFlip-flops or Crocs (for cobbing/plaster days) \nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar) \nWork Gloves (for stone work) \nTool Belt \nTape Measure \nBox Cutter
/Straight Edge \nWood Hand Saw with medium teeth (cheap)* \nLevel (2ft)* \nHammer* \nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (order online) \nBasic pointed steel mortar/plastering trowel \nEar Plugs (roof week) \nSafety Glasses \nWood Chisel* \n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering) \nGood Moisturizer
 for Hands & Feet \nHat \nSunglasses \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener \nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like skillsaw\, grinder with metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw\, extra hammers\, trowels\, saws\, levels…will be very welcome if you have them and are driving in.  Some students fly in with only carry-on luggage and can’t bring some of these tools. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t the Host will provide them. \n  \n ***PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFO!***\n \n  \n\n \nDoor frame goes up with everyone participating on Day 5\, the final goal for Week 1! Belgium\, 2025 \n\nEveryone is essential to the completion of the build!  These workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent\, it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder and it disturbs the integrity of the group. It takes the whole village to see the building through from start to finish!  In addition\, Instructors set up building work according to students’ strengths and learning needs.  In short\, if you don’t feel that you will be able to be present every day for every session\, please re-think your readiness for our Advanced Training.  We attract serious and highly-motivated students so if that’s you\, you will be surrounded by others with the same desire to learn and build!  Everyone has a role every day all day! \n  \n\n \nCosta Rica All-Women Cob Team\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically. If someone is physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the Certificate (only paying food costs).  If physically injured or ill (and capable)\, it is requested students still be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities\, so as to not miss out on information and keep learning by observation\, and thus still qualify for the Certificate. \n  \n\n \nTire foundation prep in Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \n\n \nThe first step of the Reciprocal Roof\, a moment of joy! Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical and mental experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob-making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand\, but are more flowing\, multi-faceted and cardiovascular in movement. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students connect with their creative source now to design sculptures and beautify the walls around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with personal meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by the Host(s).  Plastering follows sculpting and is another enjoyable more lightweight physical experience\, that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, after the wall has been plastered\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, measuring\, sawing\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale! \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience\, along with time for personal exploration and experimentation following their own rhythm\, these workshops are not for you! However\, you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that offer a
 shorter period\, focused on building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \n  \n\n \nReading up on the Reciprocal Roof is essential for building your confidence with this tricky roof! Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins\, and any other books they find or are listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building.  We ask that you watch the many videos on our our “International Cob Workshop” playlist on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering\, so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we will aim to adjust appropriately. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob\, while respecting your physical limitations!!! \n  \n\n \nTrying capoeira on the cob floor with one of the students during downtime! Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course\, including mealtimes. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate\, unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \n  \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS\n  \n  \n\n \nKenya Workshop spread\, 2025 \n\nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  On weekends students will be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen.  Meals will be  vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! Carnivores & pescatarians & omnivores will\, if desired\, be offered non-vegetarian options of meals a few times a week and/or supplemented with canned fish\, dried meats\, cold cuts. They are also welcome to buy or bring their own supplements. \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed\, but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs\, will probably not be able to be honored\, and kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \nCamping with your own tent or hammock and bedding or and in your vehicle are free. There may be indoor sleeping options at neighbors’ houses. We will have more info on that in the Spring. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nCOB INSTRUCTOR\nCLAUDINE “COB QUEEN” DÉSIRÉE\n\n\nBorn and raised on the 22nd floor of a skyscraper in NYC to two Jewish European immigrants from France and Romania via Morocco\, I carried my Manhattan/European roots with me to California and beyond. I studied Geography\, International Relations/Development and International Environmental Policy in the academic world in California\, France\, and Switzerland before and while raising Viva\, Joia and Xica\, my three stellar sons\, currently established all over the U.S. and honing their unique journeys… and all cob lovers of course!!!! My eldest Son Viva has become a Master Cobber in his own right\, specializing in Fire & Cob\, meaning beautifully-sculpted heaters\, cookstoves\, and ovens\, as well as stand-alone Cob Art. \n  \n\n \nWith Tennessee 2026 Workshop Host River looking for the perfect clay soil for the Cob mix! \n\n  \nMy academic pursuits soon gave way to the obligatory West Coast Yoga/Meditation/Massage path and thus the work of a Spiritually Awakened life was initiated. My academic interests were also complemented with hands-on learning in every aspect of Sustainable Living skills\, which I then put into action in our 5000 square foot homestead in downtown Santa Cruz\, near the beach\, with cob buildings\, permaculture\, a compost toilet\, chickens\, fruit trees and the lowest utility bill in SC! When my youngest son turned 18 in 2014\, and I turned 50\, my next Dream was manifested with the sale of our Mini-Urban Ecovillage in Santa Cruz to fuel a solo Global Ecovillage and Cob Teaching Bike Tour for the next five years through 15 countries in Africa\, South America\, the US and Europe\, in which I taught over 30 workshops\, most of them 4-5-week full builds. \n  \n\n \nAzorean Cob-Loving Cat \n\nIn January of 2019 I bought 5 hectares in the Alentejo region of Portugal\, planning on manifesting a Cob Ecovillage there.  However the isolation and dependence on a vehicle\, as well as the extreme winter/summer climates and drought conditions led me back to the Azores Islands\, that had caught my Heart the first time I stepped out of the plane and smelled/felt the air.  I had been brought to the Azores by an astrocartography reading in which my Venus and Neptune lines were strongly activated there.  My Neptune line runs right through São Miguel and one kilometer from the Quinta da Vida Beleza Ecovillage Farm \n\n\n \nSunrise behind the Majestic Azorean Cob Villa at the Quinta Da Vida Beleza\, 2025 \n\n  \n\n\nthat I created from scratch between January 2020 and 2023\, with the help of many workshop students\, teachers\, volunteers\, friends and my sons.  It is the present culmination of my 20+ years of Cob Life!  It is a fearlessly manifested Vision.  It is my comfort as I wake up every morning on the 2nd floor of my Cob Home and look out at the Atlantic Ocean to see if it looks good for an early morning swim.  The Azorean moist pleasant breezes that are always a perfect temperature wrap me in LOVE\, nurturing my Soul and Spirit every day.  The village I envisioned became a reality in a mere 3 years\, and is now highly enjoyed by campers\, bungalow guests\, volunteers\, family\, friends\, students\, cats\, chickens and many other living beings visible and invisible.  It is the first if its kind in the Azores and a unique phenomenon on the Planet.  You can find it on GoogleMaps and visit the website\, and come visit us for a dose of Natural before it is sold and transferred to the next fortunate caretaker. \n  \n\n \nCob Outdoor Rocket Stove Kitchen & Oven built by students led by Brazilian Instructor Paula Carneira\, 2023 \n\nOur last additions are my beloved and magnificent 2-story personal Compost Toilet with ocean view and an Outdoor Rocket Stove Kitchen.  My unending love of travel\, speaking in other languages and cultural immersion will always continue\, and I envision having beautiful cob houses to come to in all of my favorite places\, which I am continuing to discover. I am so grateful for the strong support of the Universe confirming this path every day. \n\n  \n\n \nMy first international cob workshop in the Canaries in 2015…been a full 11 years on the road and 22 years of spreading the COB word! \n\nLearning to build cob houses has been an unexpected gift in so many ways.  The joy I see on people’s faces at my workshops when they roll up their pants for the first time and stick their toes in the cool soft mud\, the laughter and heart-to-heart conversations ignited while mixing and building with a partner\, the meditative concentration of working on a sculpture\, the satisfaction of stepping back and seeing your beautiful trimmed wall section\, the excitement at embedding bottles and sculpting an art window\, the bliss of relaxing with good food and a cold beer after a full day’s building in community\, and the gratitude of leaving confident in starting a dream project….are why I do this work.  Over and over again\, all over the world\, cob building creates childlike joy\, love\, community\, and empowerment.  It has shown itself to be much more than a building technique.  It is a remedy for a better Life on Earth.  It creates Happy People living in Happy Houses. May the legacy of CruzinCobGlobal continue to heal the World one workshop at a time\, one new cobber and one more cob house at a time. Aho. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION\n  \nStudents will get to Decatur\, TN by car and rideshare/carpooling\, bus or train/plane to Knoxville or Chattanooga or if necessary for international flights\, Atlanta. Airport pickups will be organized by hosts and among students diving in from similar direction  We will setup a Whatsapp thread once we are a month out for students to organize carpooling and povide info on airport pickups.. \n\nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT\n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: $2600\, paid in full by January 6th\, 2026 \nEarly Bird Rate: $2700\, paid in full by May 6th\, 2026 \nStandard Rate: $2800\, paid in full by August 6th\, 2026 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a $250 discount for working one hour each weekday from 6:30am to 7:30am either on the site prepping materials and other work as guided by the Instructors or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment in USD (convert to current exchange rate) can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay in Euros at the current conversion rate using the Wise app/website using same email.  You can also use this link for a free transfer up to 500€:  https://wise.com/invite/ihpc/claudined \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is May 1st\, 2026. \n\nCANCELLATION POLICY\n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by June 6th\, 2026 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by July 6th\, 2026 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after July 6th\, 2026 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \n\nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!\n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/tennessee-complete-cob-cottage-for-all-in-the-fall/
LOCATION:River & Michael's Farmstead\, Decatur\, TN\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/TennesseeCOB2026-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Lisbon:20260705T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Lisbon:20260809T140000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104947
CREATED:20260124T211033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260124T211033Z
UID:10076-1783252800-1786284000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:5-Week Full Build For ALL Levels: A Complete Cob Cottage at Sitio do Valverde in Coruche\, Portugal
DESCRIPTION:Yeehah!!!! We invite you with a Big Open Heart to join CruzinCobGlobal in our 22nd year of teaching the world the ins and outs of building a beautiful functional art piece to live in\, in style and comfort!  Your Soul\, Heart\, Body and Mind will be filled with peaceful bliss as you live in a community of new friends\, eat delicious local healthful cuisine\, and have many meaningful exchanges and moments while working\, building\, dancing\, breathing\, eating\, sharing and sitting in Council Circle once a week! You will have weekend adventures alone or with others discovering the surroundings.  With lectures three times a week and daily hands-on demonstrations and building\, you will accomplish more learning in these 5 weeks\, about cob\, you and life\, than you probably ever have.  It’s all part of the experience. Bottom line is that your life will change for good in so many great ways\, just from learning how to build an ecological\, safe\, locally-resourced\, economical and heart\, hand and feet-loved home with a group of passionate folks from all over. \nOnly an hour from Lisbon and in the heart of nature and rivers and villages and great hikes\, our workshop is hosted by local creator\, ecological entrepreneur and natural builder Nuno Figueira (also hosting “Cob Outdoor Kitchen Workshop”).  Take both workshops at Sitio do Valverde in 2026 (only 2 weeks apart) for a reduced fee and book your summer up with the CCG Full Cobber Training:  all you need to continue building and eventually start teaching and/or creating a cob business!  The world needs more Cobbers!  Designed for success\, our globally-renowned workshops will take you from zero experience to a newly confident\, fit\, happy and fulfilled cob builder.  Whether you are all in from the get-go\, or need support in leaving a life that is not you and taking the jump\, we are here for you and are happy to chat. \n  \nOUR HOST\n  \n\n \nOur Host Nuno! \n\nBom Dia! My name is Nuno Figueira and I was born in the southern Portuguese town of Faro and have lived in Lisbon for the last 20 years. My background has always been in theater and technical and visual experimentation using images and video-mapping in the visual and performing arts\, helping transform mine and others’ visions and perceptions towards a new way of seeing. Parallel to this profession\, I have been developing a new path in natural building or\, in Portuguese\, “bioconstrução”\, which has also been integrated into my theater-based work. \nSitio Valverde is 6000 m2 of very special sanctuary land\, located one hour northeast of Lisbon near the town of Coruche.  There we hold a variety of workshops and promote connection with Nature.  Situated in a quiet rural zone surrounded by green\, it is an ideal environment to relax and disconnect from urban life.  We offer diverse activities including natural building\, walks\, yoga and meditation.  We offer accommodations in a typical “ribatejana” house as well as space for camping and caravans. \n  \n\n \nThe Sanctuary Land \n\nSitio do Valverde is more than a space.  We also want to create a farm school for personal\, social and ecological growth and development with practical and theoretical classes\, like natural building techniques with Earth\, bamboo and straw\, as well as regenerative design.  We attract communities who value collaborative learning and integration with Nature and want to enrich their lives and those of their neighbors with new sustainable building systems and a greater respect for the Earth and Life. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nLOCATION\n  \nJust a 20-minute walk from Sitio Valverde\, the Sorraia River is the natural heart of the town offering birdwatching\, aquatic activities\, picnics\, walks\, and relaxation.  Nature is everywhere in the Coruche region and the landscape vistas are endless.  Here far from Lisbon\, people come for the fresh air\, the peace and the serenity.  One can also appreciate the land from above by taking a hot-air balloon ride and then on the weekends visiting the mountains\, parks and “barragens” in the surrounding areas.  Of course the Lisbon area usually has many cultural and music events happening every weekend as well. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\nTHE PROJECT\n  \n  \n \nThe final stretch: pouring the finish floor in Belgium\, 2025 \n\n  \nWorkshop students will be building the first COB structure on the Land and we are honored Nuno has chosen COB to represent the start of his project\, to be built in an intimate\, sacred and soulful way and created\, as always\, with 12-15 pairs of loving and passionate muddy hands and feet.  Starting with the “boots”\, symbol for the stone foundation\, to the “hat”\, our indestructible\, gorgeous trademark reciprocal green roof\, we will cover EVERYTHING important in between!  You will leave blissed out\, confident\, transformed\, inspired\, motivated\, excited\, and ready for more.  Be prepared for a total life makeover\, and renewed strength and empowerment to fearlessly lead a life TRUE to yourself!  We see this in every workshop year after year.  It’s called “Cob Therapy” and it happens organically whether you intend it or not:) \n  \n \nPRIDE!!! The beautiful oculus watching over the sacred space!Belgium\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe will be building a 14m2/154ft2 round building (final size is always dependent on class number but this is usually the outcome). The breathtaking reciprocal roof structure we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is\, due to its interlocking spiral structure\, which holds itself up with no outward pressure on the monolithic round wall of the building. In addition\, it mirrors the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies\, who meet under these types of roofs for council circles\, as we will do weekly throughout the 5 weeks\, to support all the inner and outer work happening. \nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch.  In week 1\, we dig the foundation trench and fill it with landscape-wrapped drainage rock/gravel followed by a sturdy 30cm-wide aesthetic natural stone stemwall to support the cob wall and roof. \n  \n \nDay 1: The foundation begins… trench\, landscape cloth\, drainage rock and first layer of stone! Breaking in those new muscles in Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe finish the week off by pouring the first layer of adobe/cob floor on a layer of insulation underlain by a gravel drainage base and wrap up with the door(s) installation.  In weeks 2 & 3\, we build the monolithic cob wall\, layer by layer\, with all its detailed insertions (windows\, shelves\, electrical housing\, hooks\, niches\, bottles\, desk/counter\, anchors and roof connectors)\, and finish week 3 off with 2 days of relaxed sculpting.  In week 4 we plaster our beautifully-decorated and solid wall with an earthen/fermented manure scratch coat mix.  On Friday we build and install the Reciprocal Roof primary rafter structure and in week 5 we complete the structure and sheathing to support the impermeable Green Roof covering.  On the final days we will finish the top of the wall as well as the second finish floor coat\, ready for Graduation and the Celebration on Saturday evening.  Sunday morning is our Closing Circle followed by our final Lunch together and before the afternoon public Open House\, when the final project is revealed to the outside world! \n  \n \nWairimu beaming with pride and gratitude in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe encourage non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and aim for a healthy balance of races\, cultures and languages.  CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people\, so we can create international cob building families where all students grow and learn on a personal and interpersonal level.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2026! \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION\n  \n  \n \nReady to get muddy in Kenya\, 2025! \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience.  Students arrive on Saturday before dinner and Sunday by 12pm and settle in. The two meals offered on Saturday (dinner) and Sunday (brunch) are optional and an additional fee of 10€ each.  The Workshop begins at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch\, around 2pm. Students can arrive a day before (Saturday) to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs\, or pay the extra meal fees . The Opening Circle begins promptly at 4pm\, followed by a Host Site Orientation at 5:30pm\, Dinner at 6:30pm and an Introduction to the Project by the Instructors at 7:30pm.  We require that students arrive Saturday before dark or Sunday by 12pm AT THE LATEST!!! We need to begin ALL TOGETHER\, as the most important information for the success and smooth-running of the workshop and the well-being of the students will happen on Sunday between 4pm and 8:30pm.  It is very inconvenient for students\, Host\, Instructors and the group\, when someone arrives late and misses any of the opening sessions. \n  \n \nLecture time in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nPlease be punctual because Monday morning at 9 am we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building and students need to be prepared and ready to go!!!! \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture at 2:30pm\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n  \n \nThe final Graduation Circle in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings throughout the workshop after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings except Tuesdays are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \n  \n \nAnother beaming happy fully-trained Cobber in Kenya\, who is assisting in Tasmania this year! \n\n  \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 14m2 curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE\nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast\n8:30-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Council Circle (Tues) & Slides/Videos/Discussion (Thurs)\nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \nCOURSE CONTENTS\nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
 slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench \npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable) \nbuilding foundation stemwall \nanalyzing soils and materials \nmaking test bricks \ndeciding on correct mixture \ndeciding on best location \nmaking cob w/ partner and solo
 building with cob \npreparing and inserting the door \npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows \npreparing and inserting shelves \ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects \ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)* \ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)* \nsculpting \npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat) \npouring an earthen floor (2 coats) \npreparing walls for roof connection \nbuilding reciprocal roof frame \nputting on roof sheathing and other elements \ninstalling impermeable liner and green roof components \nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects (time permitting) \n  \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material 
also includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC) \ncost analysis \ncreating a cob business (building/teaching) \nassisting\, building and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION\nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof) \nFlip-flops or Crocs (for cobbing/plaster days) \nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar) \nWork Gloves (for stone work) \nTool Belt \nTape Measure \nBox Cutter
/Straight Edge \nWood Hand Saw with medium teeth (cheap)* \nLevel (2ft)* \nHammer* \nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (order online) \nBasic pointed steel mortar/plastering trowel \nEar Plugs (roof week) \nSafety Glasses \nWood Chisel* \n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering) \nGood Moisturizer
 for Hands & Feet \nHat \nSunglasses \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener \nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like skillsaw\, grinder with metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw\, extra hammers\, trowels\, saws\, levels…will be very welcome if you have them and are driving in.  Some students fly in with only carry-on luggage and can’t bring some of these tools. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t the Host will provide them. \n  \n ***PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFO!***\n \n  \n \nKenya workshop students beautifying the sculpted bottle design before plastering\, 2025 \n\n  \nEveryone is essential to the completion of the build!  These workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent\, it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder and it disturbs the integrity of the group. It takes the whole village to see the building through from start to finish!  In addition\, Instructors set up building work according to students’ strengths and learning needs.  In short\, if you don’t feel that you will be able to bepresent every day for every session\, please re-think your readiness for our Advanced Training.  We attract serious and highly-motivated students so if that’s you\, you will be surrounded by others with the same desire to learn and build!  Everyone has a role every day all day! \n  \n \nDay 4: Foundation complete in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically. If someone is physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the Certificate (only paying food costs).  If physically injured or ill (and capable)\, it is requested students still be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities\, so as to not miss out on information and keep learning by observation\, and thus still qualify for the Certificate. \n  \n \nTime for the window prepping and an appreciated break from cobbing in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical and mental experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob-making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand\, but are more flowing\, multi-faceted and cardiovascular in movement. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students connect with their \n  \n \nProud Puerto Rico workshop student after alot of focus and determination! Pays off! 2025 \n\n  \ncreative source now to design sculptures and beautify the walls around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with personal meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by the Host(s).  Plastering follows sculpting and is another enjoyable more lightweight physical experience\, that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, after the wall has been plastered\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, measuring\, sawing\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale! \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience\, along with time for personal exploration and experimentation following their own rhythm\, these workshops are not for you! However\, you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that offer a
 shorter period\, focused on building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins\, and any other books they find or are listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building.  We ask that you watch the many videos on our our “International Cob Workshop” playlist on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our \n  \n \nCCG Instructor Tom Van Well demonstrates carpentry tool use at the start of Roof Week in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nNorth Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering\, so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we will aim to adjust appropriately. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob\, while respecting your physical limitations!!! \n  \n \nCreative eco-friendly shade headpiece in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course\, including mealtimes. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate\, unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \n  \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS\n  \n \nSnacktime includes tropical smoothies when you are in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  On weekends students will be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen.  Meals will be  vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! Carnivores & pescatarians & omnivores will\, if desired\, be offered non-vegetarian options of meals a few times a week and/or supplemented with canned fish\, dried meats\, cold cuts. They are also welcome to buy or bring their own supplements. \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed\, but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs\, will probably not be able to be honored\, and kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \n  \n \nThe House \n\n  \nCamping with your own tent or hammock and bedding is free and our host Nuno will rent out 5 beds (2 bunk beds and 3 individual beds) in a large room in the house for 5€/night or 175€ for the 5 weeks from Sunday to Sunday. There is also a private bedroom for 1 or 2 people with one queen bed for 15€/night or 525€ for the 5 weeks.  There will also be 2 tipis set up for 1-2 people with beds and bedding for 5€/ night per person.  People who arrive early and/or or leave after Sunday please pay the adjusted amount with the nightly rate of 5€ or 15€.  Inside accommodations will be included in you workshop payment. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nCOB INSTRUCTOR\n\n\nTOM VAN WELL\nHi there! I’m Tom — born and raised in the only not-flat part of the Netherlands\, the deep south. Around the age of 20 I began spending most of my time outside the country\, and before long I was living abroad full-time. Since 2020\, Portugal has become my home base. \nLiving on permaculture farms here brought me into contact with Natural Building\, and it was love at first sight. I devoured every bit of information I could find. The Hand-Sculpted House completely captivated me\, and before I knew it\, my feet were on a blue tarp and I was mixing my first batch of cob in a CruzinCobGlobal workshop in the Azores and then Tennessee in 2023. \nFollowing my curiosity has taken me on a journey I never could have predicted: COB builds\, timber framing\, conventional construction\, and deep dives into plastering. Through private builds\, apprenticeships\, and workshops across Portugal\, the Azores\, Tennessee\, Puerto Rico\, Switzerland\, and now Japan\, I’ve been lucky to learn and work alongside passionate natural builders and true masters of their craft. \n\n  \n\n\n\n \nRoof Mania Acrobatics in Puerto Rico\, 2025! \n\nThat’s why I’m genuinely excited to be leading not one but TWO CruzinCobGlobal workshops in Portugal in 2026\, the Outdoor Kitchen and the Full Build.  I love Portugal—its food\, the people\,  the mountains\, and the sea. Getting to know and building with Portuguese clay soil and local materials while creating timeless structures in different zones\, has been my main passion. \n  \n \nTom teaching in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nSítio do Valverde\, my friend Nuno’s place\, is the perfect workshop site: peaceful\, enjoyable and comfortable weeks focused on the build\, and ideally located for weekend adventures to Lisbon\, the ocean\, rivers and mountains. Nuno is already an amazing Host and his place is stunning.  I speak Portuguese fluently\, so anyone who is less comfortable with English\,  can count on me for translations at any moment. \nLooking forward to another unforgettable life-changing CCG workshop!!! \nSee you in the mud — vaaaamos! \n\n\n  \nCOB ASSISTANT\nLAURA GARCIA\nHola!  I’m Laura\, a Colombian architect who was fortunate to live among communities who created buildings rooted in their landscapes. Early on in my life\, I became curious about indigenous architectural practices and the respectful\, interconnected relationship they have with their environment. \nDuring my studies\, I lived and learned with the Embera people in the Pacific jungle\, observing how they build wooden stilt houses with thatched roofs using local materials. I also studied the Kogui in the Sierras Nevadas of northern Colombia\, who have round earthen houses supporting communal ways of living. Alongside this\, I explored rural construction techniques like bahareque (wattle and daub)\, adobe\, and tapia pisada (rammed earth)\, and took heritage courses focused on adobe constructions introduced by the Spanish during the colonial period. \n  \n \nHappy sculptor-plasterer in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nLater on\, during my 8 years of professional experience I moved away from these natural practices while working on single family residential public housing and commercial projects in Texas. Although I was able to introduce sustainability initiatives not typically included in these projects\, it felt insufficient and disconnected from the land. I knew I wanted to return to more grounded and ecologically-friendly building practices in my architectural work.  I continued taking courses in natural building\, including bamboo (guadua) construction techniques in Colombia\, where I helped built a roof structure at an Ecofarm. \n  \n \nPouring the adobe floor scratch coat in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nIn early 2025\, I discovered CruzinCobGlobal and my deep connection to COB and its communal way of building while taking their 5-week Full Build Workshop in Naguábo\, Puerto Rico. Soon after\, I quit my job and fully committed to natural building. I traveled to Turkey to deepen my knowledge of natural plastering and worked on a farm building straw bale bungalows with earthen plasters.  My other passions are hiking\, camping\, time in nature and yoga\, for which I just received a Teacher Training Certificate in India. \nI’m excited to continue my learning journey and begin to teach with the CruzinCobGlobal team in Portugal this summer assisting Tom Van Well\, who was one of my Instructors in Puerto Rico.  I am looking forward to expanding my passion into this new chapter of my life and meeting you all in Coruche! \n  \nTRANSPORTATION\n  \nStudents will get to Coruche from Lisbon by bus or carpooling with each other or using BlaBlaCar\, a popular European carpooling service. \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT\n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: 2200€\, paid in full by February 5th\, 2026 \nEarly Bird Rate: 2300€\, paid in full by April 5th\, 2026 \nStandard Rate: 2400€\, paid in full by June 5th\, 2026 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a 250€ discount for working one hour each weekday from 6:30am to 7:30am either on the site prepping materials and other work as guided by the Instructors or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment in USD (convert to current exchange rate) can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay in Euros using the Wise app/website using same email.  You can also use this link for a free transfer up to 500€:  https://wise.com/invite/ihpc/claudined \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is June 5th\, 2026. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY\n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by April 5th\, 2026 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by May 5th\, 2026 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after May 5th\, 2026 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \n  \nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/5-week-full-build-for-all-levels-a-complete-cob-cottage-at-sitio-do-valverde-in-coruche-portugal/
LOCATION:Sitio do Valverde\, Coruche\, Portugal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CorucheCOB2026.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260531T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260705T140000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104947
CREATED:20260124T204635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T234835Z
UID:10069-1780228800-1783260000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:California Complete Cob Bungalow in Santa Cruz\, California!
DESCRIPTION:OUR GRACIOUS HOST\n  \n  \n\n \nNovember 2025 Site & Host Visit! \n\n  \nHi there! My name is Jacob. Originally from Western New York\, I grew up fishing\, hunting and helping my parents around our 20-acre homestead. My family raised us close to nature\, and we believed strongly in conservation of natural resources\, including woodlands\, wetlands\, and wildlife. Later in life\, protecting these resources is written into the laws I have applied to certified organic farms over the last 18 years of my career. When I moved to California for the AmeriCorps program\, I was lucky enough to work for a tribal health organization in Sacramento\, serving rural Native health clinics all throughout the state. Afterwards\, I spent two years canvassing for environmental and social justice campaigns before studying water policy and natural resource conservation\, along with Native American studies and tri \n  \n\n \nWelcome to 5 weeks in Paradise! \n\n  \nbal water rights. I have been lucky enough to purchase and care for an off-grid property bordering California’s oldest State Park\, Big Basin\, which is where my own homesteading journey began. \n  \n\n \nThe View from Sunrise to Sunset \n\n  \nCommunity is nothing without people. This workshop is a grand effort to reseed the land with people to regenerate real community. This very special place has been through a lot. Being logged almost 100 years ago\, the Big Basin area more recently experienced an 80\,000 acre megafire. Five years later\, the larger community of people (all off grid)\, as well as the plants\, animals\, and insects are regenerating and resilient. However\, out of the seven homes that were thriving on this specific mountain\, only one has been rebuilt after the fire. This makes our effort to build a natural\, fire resistant\, and healing home space more important now more than ever. I have been able to create a strong foothold\, and planted a small orchard\, but now it is time to create a space to help bring people back to the land. I am infinitely grateful to all those who choose to come learn\, share\, and dance this dream into reality. \nJune on the Central Coast of California is a sublime season to work in. Sunny\, but cool\, with temps not much higher tha \n  \n\n \nGoin’ in!!! \n\n  \nn 80 F\, and not lower than 50F at night. Locals dress in layers. Sweaters or jackets in the morning\, make way for shirts and shorts at midday and back to jackets or hoodies in the evening. The sun is strong here\, so sun-ware and protection are important considerations. \nThe building site is a scenic\, 20 min (15 mph) drive from the beach on a bumpy dirt road. There is a small pool onsite and creek swimming spots to cool down on the weekends\, along with plenty of beauty as we regularly gaze at 360 degrees and ocean views. Wi-Fi is here\, as well \n  \n\n \nThe super-friendly welcome crew: Juniper & Georgina \n\n  \nas solar power for devices. An hour’s drive away is the artsy\, surf town of Santa Cruz\, CA\, where there are many live music venues & events year-round\, natural food stores\, and more yoga studios than you can shake a stick at. San Francisco is a 1.5-hour drive\, and there are world class beaches and surf breaks along the whole coast to explore. We do have two sweet sister dogs that will be excited to greet everyone. I have a “condo-kennel” they sleep or relax in\, but they are generally around and may want to help us dig! Juniper and Georgina can be excitable\, but they are friendly and will settle in. \nCamp sites will have views\, and I have no doubt you will be excited to call this place home for five weeks. Come join us on Mt. Shelby for an unforgettable experience of beauty\, work\, and community! Thank you and blessings. \n  \n  \n\n\nLOCATION\nOne of the most breathtaking and magical cob workshop sites hands down!  Just a 20-minute drive north from Santa Cruz\, California\, you will not want to leave on the weekends\, well\, maybe to go to the Pacific Ocean!  Root Rock Farm in the Big Basin State Park area will be our home for 5 weeks\, close and far from civilization.  Many people will be driving in and some will be flying in.  As Jacob said above\, the California coastal weather can change quickly and usually has a constant pattern of foggy cool ams and pms as the ocean air drifts over the cool ocean and onto the land and back onto the ocean\, while the middle of the day is hot and dry.  Just take a look at the photos….they say everything! \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE PROJECT\n  \n  \n\n \nLovely Belgium 2025 Full Build Workshop Cottage & the newly- certified Advanced Cobbers relishing in their success! \n\n  \nWorkshop students will be building the first COB structure on the Land and we are honored Jacob\, our Host\, has chosen COB to represent the start of his project\, to be built in an intimate\, sacred and soulful way and created\, as always\, with 12-15 pairs of loving and passionate muddy hands and feet.  Starting with the “boots”\, symbol for the stone foundation\, to the “hat”\, our indestructible\, gorgeous trademark reciprocal green roof\, we will cover EVERYTHING important in between!  You will leave blissed out\, confident\, transformed\, inspired\, motivated\, excited\, and ready for more.  Be prepared for a total life makeover\, and renewed strength and empowerment to fearlessly lead a life TRUE to yourself!  We see this in every workshop year after year.  It’s called “Cob Therapy” and it happens organically whether you intend it or not:) \n  \n\n \nBelgium 2025 Reciprocal Roof Structure installed on Day 20 \n\n  \nWe will be building a 14m2/154ft2 round building (final size is always dependent on class number but this is usually the outcome). The breathtaking reciprocal roof structure we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is\, due to its interlocking spiral structure\, which holds itself up with no outward pressure on the monolithic round wall of the building. In addition\, it mirrors the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies\, who meet under these types of roofs for council circles\, as we will do weekly throughout the 5 weeks\, to support all the inner and outer work happening. \nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch.  In week 1\, we dig the foundation trench and fill it with landscape-wrapped drainage rock/gravel followed by a sturdy 30cm-wide aesthetic natural stone stemwall to support the cob wall and roof.  We finish the week off by pouring the first layer of adobe/cob floor on a layer of insulation underlain by a gravel drainage base and wrap up with the door(s) installation.  In weeks 2 & 3\, we build the monolithic cob wall\, layer by layer\, with all its detailed insertions (windows\, shelves\, electrical housing\, hooks\, niches\, bottles\, desk/counter\, anchors and roof connectors)\, and finish week 3 off with 2 days of relaxed \n  \n\n \nSensual terracotta-hued local plaster from the workshop site to finish off the walls\, Belgium 2025 \n\n  \nsculpting.  In week 4 we plaster our beautifully-decorated and solid wall with an earthen/fermented manure scratch coat mix.  On Friday we build and install the Reciprocal Roof primary rafter structure and in week 5 we complete the structure and sheathing to support the impermeable Green Roof covering.  On the final days we will finish the top of the wall as well as the second finish floor coat\, ready for Graduation and the Celebration on Saturday evening.  Sunday morning is our Closing Circle followed by our final Lunch together and before the afternoon public Open House\, when the final project is revealed to the outside world! \n  \n\n \nSolid COB friendships come with the territory…. \n\n  \nWe encourage non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and aim for a healthy balance of races\, cultures and languages.  CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people\, so we can create international cob building families where all students grow and learn on a personal and interpersonal level.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2026! \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION\n  \n  \n\n \nThe COB bonds start the moment everyone comes together on Opening afternoon\, and the masks fall and you can just be YOU! Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience.  Students arrive on Saturday before dinner and Sunday by 12pm and settle in. The two meals offered on Saturday (dinner) and Sunday (brunch) are optional and an additional fee of 10€ each.  The Workshop begins at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch\, around 2pm. Students can arrive a day before (Saturday) to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs\, or pay the extra meal fees . The Opening Circle begins promptly at 4pm\, followed by a Host Site Orientation at 5:30pm\, Dinner at 6:30pm and an Introduction to the Project by the Instructors at 7:30pm.  We require that students arrive Saturday before dark or Sunday by 12pm AT THE LATEST!!! We need to begin ALL TOGETHER\, as the most important information for the success and smooth-running of the workshop and the well-being of the students will happen on Sunday between 4pm and 8:30pm.  It is very inconvenient for students\, Host\, Instructors and the group\, when someone arrives late and misses any of the opening sessions. \n  \n\n \n2025 Costa Rica CCG students hard at work bonding the cob layers with cobbers’ thumbs as the wall rises 30cm each day! \n\n  \nPlease be punctual because Monday morning at 9 am we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building and students need to be prepared and ready to go!!!! \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture at 2:30pm\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n  \n\n \nCosta Rica students trying out their new reciprocal roof for the weekly Council Circle\, 2025 \n\n  \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings throughout the workshop after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings except Tuesdays are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 14m2 curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Niches\, Bottles\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \nDAILY SCHEDULE\nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast\n8:30-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Council Circle (Tues) & Slides/Videos/Discussion (Thurs) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \nCOURSE CONTENTS\nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
 slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench \npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable) \nbuilding foundation stemwall \nanalyzing soils and materials \nmaking test bricks \ndeciding on correct mixture \ndeciding on best location \nmaking cob w/ partner and solo
 building with cob \npreparing and inserting the door \npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows \npreparing and inserting shelves \ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects \ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)* \ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)* \nsculpting \npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat) \npouring an earthen floor (2 coats) \npreparing walls for roof connection \nbuilding reciprocal roof frame \nputting on roof sheathing and other elements \ninstalling impermeable liner and green roof components \nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects (time permitting) \n  \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material 
also includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC) \ncost analysis \ncreating a cob business (building/teaching) \nassisting\, building and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION\nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof) \nFlip-flops or Crocs (for cobbing/plaster days) \nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar) \nWork Gloves (for stone work) \nTool Belt \nTape Measure \nBox Cutter
/Straight Edge \nWood Hand Saw with medium teeth (cheap)* \nLevel (2ft)* \nHammer* \nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (order online) \nBasic pointed steel mortar/plastering trowel \nEar Plugs (roof week) \nSafety Glasses \nWood Chisel* \n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering) \nGood Moisturizer
 for Hands & Feet \nHat \nSunglasses \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener \nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like skillsaw\, grinder with metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw\, extra hammers\, trowels\, saws\, levels…will be very welcome if you have them and are driving in.  Some students fly in with only carry-on luggage and can’t bring some of these tools. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t the Host will provide them. \n\n ***PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFO!***\n \n  \n\n \nApproaching the end of the wall is always a moment of high energy\, Costa Rica\, 2025 \n\n  \nEveryone is essential to the completion of the build!  These workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent\, it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder and it disturbs the integrity of the group. It takes the whole village to see the building through from start to finish!  In addition\, Instructors set up building work according to students’ strengths and learning needs.  In short\, if you don’t feel that you will be able to bepresent every day for every session\, please re-think your readiness for our Advanced Training.  We attract serious and highly-motivated students so if that’s you\, you will be surrounded by others with the same desire to learn and build!  Everyone has a role every day all day! \n  \n\n \nEverybody on the roof to tighten the first 20 washers & nuts on the threaded rods holding the primary roof rafters together in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically. If someone is physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the Certificate (only paying food costs).  If physically injured or ill (and capable)\, it is requested students still be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities\, so as to not miss out on information and keep learning by observation\, and thus still qualify for the Certificate. \n  \n\n \nThe collaborative effort in our intensive trainings makes the work so much easier\, especially during the wall build! Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \n\n \nThe fulfilling joy of figuring out how to build a stone foundation! Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical and mental experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob-making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand\, but are more flowing\, multi-faceted and cardiovascular in movement. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students connect with their creative source now to design sculptures and beautify the walls around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with personal meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by the Host(s).  Plastering follows sculpting and is another enjoyable more lightweight physical experience\, that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, after the wall has been plastered\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, measuring\, sawing\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, \n  \n\n \nSetting up and deconstructing the roof on the ground a few times to build the confidence of building it on the wall! Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nand tend to finishing touches….the grand finale! \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience\, along with time for personal exploration and experimentation following their own rhythm\, these workshops are not for you! However\, you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that offer a
 shorter period\, focused on building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins\, and any other books they find or are listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building.  We ask that you watch the many videos on our our “International Cob Workshop” playlist on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \n  \n\n \nWoohooo!!!! Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering\, so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we will aim to adjust appropriately. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob\, while respecting your physical limitations!!! \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course\, including mealtimes. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate\, unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \n  \n  \n\nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS\n\n \nOur amazing workshop cooks chosen by each Host are responsible for the daily joy of rewards for the sweat and effort!!! Belgium\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  On weekends students will be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen.  Meals will be  vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! Carnivores & pescatarians & omnivores will\, if desired\, be offered non-vegetarian options of meals a few times a week and/or supplemented with canned fish\, dried meats\, cold cuts. They are also welcome to buy or bring their own supplements. \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed\, but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs\, will probably not be able to be honored\, and kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \nCamping with your own tent or hammock and bedding or and in your vehicle are free. If you want to rent an indoor space at a neighbor’s nearby\, that may be a possibility we can look into. \n  \nCOB INSTRUCTOR\nCLAUDINE “COB QUEEN” DÉSIRÉE\n\n\n \nNevada City COB\, 2019 \n\n  \nBorn and raised on the 22nd floor of a skyscraper in NYC to two Jewish European immigrants from France and Romania via Morocco\, I carried my Manhattan/European roots with me to California and beyond. I studied Geography\, International Relations/Development and International Environmental Policy in the academic world in California\, France\, and Switzerland before and while raising Viva\, Joia and Xica\, my three stellar sons\, currently established all over the U.S. and honing their unique journeys… and all cob lovers of course!!!! My eldest Son Viva has become a Master Cobber in his own right\, specializing in Fire & Cob\, meaning beautifully-sculpted heaters\, cookstoves\, and ovens\, as well as stand-alone Cob Art. \n  \n\n \nWith Tennessee 2026 Workshop Host River looking for the perfect clay soil for the Cob mix! \n\n  \nMy academic pursuits soon gave way to the obligatory West Coast Yoga/Meditation/Massage path and thus the work of a Spiritually Awakened life was initiated. My academic interests were also complemented with hands-on learning in every aspect of Sustainable Living skills\, which I then put into action in our 5000 square foot homestead in downtown Santa Cruz\, near the beach\, with cob buildings\, permaculture\, a compost toilet\, chickens\, fruit trees and the lowest utility bill in SC! When my youngest son turned 18 in 2014\, and I turned 50\, my next Dream was manifested with the sale of our Mini-Urban Ecovillage in Santa Cruz to fuel a solo Global Ecovillage and Cob Teaching Bike Tour for the next five years through 15 countries in Africa\, South America\, the US and Europe\, in which I taught over 30 workshops\, most of them 4-5-week full builds. \n  \n\n \nAzorean Cob-Loving Cat \n\n  \nIn January of 2019 I bought 5 hectares in the Alentejo region of Portugal\, planning on manifesting a Cob Ecovillage there.  However the isolation and dependence on a vehicle\, as well as the extreme winter/summer climates and drought conditions led me back to the Azores Islands\, that had caught my Heart the first time I stepped out of the plane and smelled/felt the air.  I had been brought to the Azores by an astrocartography reading in which my Venus and Neptune lines were strongly activated there.  My Neptune line runs right through São Miguel and one kilometer from the Quinta da Vida Beleza Ecovillage Farm \n\n\n \nSunrise behind the Majestic Azorean Cob Villa at the Quinta Da Vida Beleza\, 2025 \n\n  \n\n\nthat I created from scratch between January 2020 and 2023\, with the help of many workshop students\, teachers\, volunteers\, friends and my sons.  It is the present culmination of my 20+ years of Cob Life!  It is a fearlessly manifested Vision.  It is my comfort as I wake up every morning on the 2nd floor of my Cob Home and look out at the Atlantic Ocean to see if it looks good for an early morning swim.  The Azorean moist pleasant breezes that are always a perfect temperature wrap me in LOVE\, nurturing my Soul and Spirit every day.  The village I envisioned became a reality in a mere 3 years\, and is now highly enjoyed by campers\, bungalow guests\, volunteers\, family\, friends\, students\, cats\, chickens and many other living beings visible and invisible.  It is the first if its kind in the Azores and a unique phenomenon on the Planet.  You can find it on GoogleMaps and visit the website\, and come visit us for a dose of Natural before it is sold and transferred to the next fortunate caretaker. \n  \n\n \nBeautiful outdoor cob kitchen built by students led by Brazililan CCG Instructor Paula Carneira\, 2023 \n\n  \nOur last additions are my beloved and magnificent 2-story personal Compost Toilet with ocean view and an Outdoor Rocket Stove Kitchen.  My unending love of travel\, speaking in other languages and cultural immersion will always continue\, and I envision having beautiful cob houses to come to in all of my favorite places\, which I am continuing to discover. I am so grateful for the strong support of the Universe confirming this path every day. \n\n  \n\n \nMy first international cob workshop in the Canaries in 2015…been a full 11 years on the road and 22 years of spreading the COB word! \n\n  \nLearning to build cob houses has been an unexpected gift in so many ways.  The joy I see on people’s faces at my workshops when they roll up their pants for the first time and stick their toes in the cool soft mud\, the laughter and heart-to-heart conversations ignited while mixing and building with a partner\, the meditative concentration of working on a sculpture\, the satisfaction of stepping back and seeing your beautiful trimmed wall section\, the excitement at embedding bottles and sculpting an art window\, the bliss of relaxing with good food and a cold beer after a full day’s building in community\, and the gratitude of leaving confident in starting a dream project….are why I do this work.  Over and over again\, all over the world\, cob building creates childlike joy\, love\, community\, and empowerment.  It has shown itself to be much more than a building technique.  It is a remedy for a better Life on Earth.  It creates Happy People living in Happy Houses. May the legacy of CruzinCobGlobal continue to heal the World one workshop at a time\, one new cobber and one more cob house at a time. Aho. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION\n  \nStudents will get to Santa Cruz by car and rideshare/carpooling\, bus or train/plane to San Jose. The San Jose Airport (SJC) is the easiest\, though SFO is only an hour away.  We will setup a Whatsapp thread once we are a month out for students to organize carpooling. \n\nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT\n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: $2600\, paid in full by February 1st\, 2026 \nEarly Bird Rate: $2700\, paid in full by April 1st\, 2026 \nStandard Rate: $2800\, paid in full by May 1st\, 2026 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a $250 discount for working one hour each weekday from 6:30am to 7:30am either on the site prepping materials and other work as guided by the Instructors or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment in USD (convert to current exchange rate) can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay in Euros at the current conversion rate using the Wise app/website using same email.  You can also use this link for a free transfer up to 500€:  https://wise.com/invite/ihpc/claudined \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is May 1st\, 2026. \n\nCANCELLATION POLICY\n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by March 1st\, 2026 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by April 1st\, 2026 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after April 1st\, 2026 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \n\nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!\n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/california-complete-cob-bungalow-in-santa-cruz-california/
LOCATION:Root n' Rock Farm\, Santa Cruz\, CA\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/SantaCruzCOB2026.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260208T160000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260315T160000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104947
CREATED:20250923T140356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T203907Z
UID:9958-1770566400-1773590400@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Tasmania Advanced Cobber “Full Build” Certification
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \n  \n\n \nEugi from Argentina bit by the Cob Bug and ready for more in 2026! \n\n  \nThe 5-week Advanced Cobber Certification Workshop students will be building the first COB structure on the Land.  Until now Stefan and guests have been living in the caves\, and camping\, so this will be the first earthen shelter.  We are honored he has chosen COB\, to be built in an intimate\, sacred and soulful way and created\, as always\, with 12-15 pairs of loving and passionate muddy hands and feet.  Starting with the “boots”\, the stone foundation\, to the “hat”\, our indestructible trademark reciprocal green roof\, we will cover everything in between!  You will leave confident\, transformed\, inspired\, motivated\, excited\, and ready for more.  Be prepared for a total life makeover\, and a new strength and empowerment to fearlessly lead a life TRUE to yourself!  We see this in every workshop year after year.  It’s called “Cob Therapy”! \nWe will be building a 14m2/150ft2 round building (final size is always dependent on class number). The breathtaking reciprocal roof structure we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is\, due to its interlocking spiral structure which holds itself up with no outward pressure on the monolithic round wall of the building. In addition\, it mirrors the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies\, who meet under these types of roofs for council circles\, as we will do weekly. \nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to \n  \n\n \nMission Accomplished in Aubange\, Belgium in August 2025…One More Time!!!! What a Team! \n\n  \n\n \nDaniela\, a local\, shining after he first earthen sculpting experience in Costa Rica! \n\n  \nbuilding a complete Cob Building from scratch.  In week 1\, we dig the rubble trench and fill it with a sturdy 30cm-wide aesthetic stone foundation to support the wall and roof\, and finish the week off by pouring the first layer of adobe/cob floor on a layer of insulation underlain by a gravel base for drainage.  In weeks 2 & 3\, we build the monolithic cob wall\, layer by layer\, with all its detailed insertions and finish week 3 off with 2 days of relaxed sculpting.  In week 4 we plaster our beautifully-decorated and solid wall with an earthen-manure mix for 4 days.  On Friday we begin the Reciprocal Roof structure and in week 5 we complete the structure and cover it with a Green Roof.  On the final days we will finish the top of the wall as well as the second floor coat\, ready for Graduation and the Celebration on Saturday evening.  Sunday morning is our Closing Circle before the public Open House on the final Sunday\, when the final project is revealed to the outside world! \n  \n\n \nBree followed the Call from Tennessee to Costa Rica in 2025 and is now sharing what she learned with her community… \n\n  \nWe encourage non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and aim for a healthy balance of races\, cultures and languages.  CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people\, so we can create international cob building families where all students grow and learn on a personal and interpersonal level.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and come and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2026! \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\n \nAubange\, Belgium Workshop Build in Summer of 2025 \n\n  \n\n \nThe Cob Family after 5 weeks is a result of commitment\, dedication\, hard work\, self-care\, fun and alot of love! \n\n  \n\n \nFinish Floor on Day 25…an amazing feeling of relief and satisfaction…the end is near! \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience.  Students arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The Workshop begins at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch\, around 2pm. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs\, unless a work trade or meal fee is approved by Host (to be decided closer to the date). The Opening Circle begins promptly at 4pm\, followed by a Host Site Orientation at 5pm\, Dinner at 6pm and an Introduction to the Project by the Instructors at 7pm.  We require that students arrive Saturday before dark or Sunday by 2pm AT THE LATEST!!! We need to begin ALL TOGETHER\, as the most important information for the success and smooth-running of the workshop and the well-being of the students will happen on Sunday between 4pm and 8:30pm.  It is very inconvenient for students\, Host\, Instructors and the group\, when someone arrives late and misses any of the opening sessions.  Please be punctual because Monday morning at 9 am we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building and students need to be prepared and ready to go!!!! \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture at 2:30pm\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which s \n  \n\n \nAlot of Joy during each phase of the workshop! Belgium\,2025 \n\n  \ntudents are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 15m2 curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \nDAILY SCHEDULE \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be:\n7:30-8:15 Breakfast\n8:30-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week)\nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \nCOURSE CONTENTS \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench \npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable) \nbuilding foundation stemwall \nanalyzing soils and materials \nmaking test bricks \ndeciding on correct mixture \ndeciding on best location \nmaking cob w/ partner and solo
building with cob \npreparing and inserting the door \npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows \npreparing and inserting shelves \ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects \ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)* \ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)* \nsculpting \npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat) \npouring an earthen floor (2 coats) \npreparing walls for roof connection \nbuilding reciprocal roof frame \nputting on roof sheathing and other elements \ninstalling green roof \nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material
also includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC) \ncost analysis \ncreating a cob business (building/teaching) \nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing.\nTO REGISTER AND FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE VISIT SITE: https://cruzincobglobal.org/events/tasmania-full-build-cob-cottage-workshop-near-nubeena/
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/tasmania-advanced-cobber-full-build-certification/
LOCATION:Stefan's Place\, Nubeena\, Tasmania\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/TasmaniaCOBFlyer2026.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20250706T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20250810T160000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104947
CREATED:20250401T160840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T160840Z
UID:9697-1751817600-1754841600@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:A Complete Cob Cottage in Southeast Belgium this Summer (Aubange)!
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \n  \n  \n \nAin’t she a Beauty? The newest CCG build completed on February 23 in Naguábo\, Puerto Rico led by Instructors Tom Van Well & Christian Eder. \n\n  \nThe Belgium 5-Week Advanced Cob Certification students will be building a “Cob Arts Cottage” for the local community to experience the reality and nature of Cob\, and come together for events in this locally-sourced edifice built and sculpted by hand!  The Cob Cottage is intended to have solar energy\, rainwater collection and a rocket stove (or similar) to cook and heat the room with\, thus creating a multifunctional space for various activities: from tiny house to art studio\, to yoga retreat\, to exhibition room\, etc.\, depending on who is permanently or temporarily living in Aubange. It is important for us that this space functions as a self-sustaining system in order to be 100% conscious of energy and water consumption. We are excited to give our community a taste of this way of life by inviting them to experience the building. \nThe unique\, sacred and soulful structure will be crafted\, as always\, from 12-15 pairs of loving muddy hands and feet from all walks of life\, all backgrounds\, and from far and near.  Starting with the “boots”\, a stone foundation\, to the “hat”\, our trademark reciprocal green roof\, we will cover everything in between!  Students leave full of inspiration\, motivation\, passion\, empowerment and hunger for more.  Did we tell you that Cob is an addiction?  The best kind!  Once you go COB you never go back! \n  \n \nBeautiful shot of the bamboo reciprocal roof just built by these students in Puerto Rico and led by Tom & Chris! \n\n  \nWe will be building a 14m2/154ft2 round building (final size is always dependent on class number). The breathtaking reciprocal roof structure we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is\, due to its interlocking spiral structure which holds itself up with no outward pressure on the monolithic round wall of the building. In addition\, it mirrors the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies\, who meet under these types of roofs for community council circles\, events & ceremonies. \nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch.  In week 1\, we dig the rubble trench and fill it with a sturdy aesthetic stone foundation to support the wall and roof\, and finish the week off by pouring the adobe/cob floor on a gravel base.  In weeks 2 & 3\, we build the monolithic cob wall with all its detailed insertions like windows\, niches\, shelves\, bottles\, etc.\, and finish it with 1-2 days of relaxed sculpting.  In week 4 we plaster our beautifully-decorated and strong wall with an earthen mix followed by the first day of reciprocal roof installation.  In week 5 we wrap up the workshop by completing the roof structure and topping it with a green covering\, and then finishing the wall and the second floor coat on the final Friday. \n\n \nCarmen from Germany & Wanjugu from Kenya making Cob floor mix at Mlango Farm\, Ngecha\, Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe especially invite non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and aim for a healthy balance as our ideal.  CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people\, so we can create international cob building families where all students grow and learn on a personal and interpersonal level.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and come and embark on a life-changing adventure in one of our many workshop locations in 2025. \n\n\n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \n\n \nOpening Circle in Utuado\, Puerto Rico\, 2024 \n\nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The Workshop begins at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch\, around 2pm. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs\, unless a work trade or meal fee is approved by Host (to be decided closer to the date). The Opening Circle begins promptly at 4pm\, followed by a Host Site Orientation at 5pm\, Dinner at 6pm and an Introduction to the Project by the Instructors at 7pm.  We require that students arrive on Saturday or on Sunday by 2pm AT THE LATEST!!! We need to begin ALL TOGETHER\, as the most important information for the success and smooth-running of the workshop and the well-being of the students will happen on Sunday between 4pm and 8:30pm.  It is very inconvenient for students\, Host\, Instructors and the group\, when someone arrives late and misses any of the opening sessions.  Please be punctual because Monday morning at 9 am we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building and students need to be prepared and ready to go!!!! \n\n\n\n  \n \nCharles enjoying his cob experience in Ngecha\, Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture at 2:30pm\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n  \n \nKenya workshop students\, 2025 \n\n  \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \n  \n \nPuerto Rico plastering\, 2025 \n\n  \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, to  use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 15m2 curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n\n\n\n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30-1:00 Class \n1:00-2:30 Lunch \n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s) \n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)*\ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)*\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 coats)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding reciprocal roof frame\nputting on roof sheathing and other elements\ninstalling green roof\nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC)\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves (for stone work)\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)*\nLevel (2ft)*\nHammer*\nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (email:goldhillclayplaster@gmail.com)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nSafety Glasses\nWood Chisel*\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener\nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like circular saw\, grinder with metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw\, extra hammers\, trowels\, saws\, levels…will be very welcome if you have them and are driving in.  Some students fly in with only carry-on luggage and can’t bring some of these tools. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t\, the Host will provide them. \n  \n***PLEASE READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT INFO!!!*** \n  \n \nPrimary Rafters going on in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \n \nThe end is in sight! Celebration time! Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and efficient amount of time. They are VERY intensive and\, while there is time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….ALL students are expected to be present and participating in all building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent\, it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder and it disturbs the integrity of the group. It takes the whole village to see the building through from start to finish!  In addition\, Instructors set up building work according to students’ strengths and learning needs.  In short\, if you don’t feel that you will be able to be present every day for every session\, please re-think your readiness for our Advanced Training.  We attract serious and highly-motivated students so if that’s you\, you will be surrounded by others with the same desire to learn and build!  If you are not sure that it’s the right fit\, please contact Claudine to schedule a call to see. \n  \n \nTadaaaaaa! Certified Cobbers proudly posing! Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically.. If someone must be physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the Certificate (only paying food costs).  If physically injured or ill and capable\, it is requested students be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities\, so as to not miss out on information and keep learning by observation\, and thus still qualify for the Certificate. \n  \n \nSatisfaction of a foundation almost done in Ngecha\, Kenya \n\n  \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical and mental experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob-making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand\, but are more flowing\, multi-faceted and cardiovascular in movement. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students their creative source now  and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding \n  \n \nThe icing on the cake after the hard work in Puerto Rico\, 2025 \n\n  \nexperience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with visual beauty and meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by Host(s).  Plastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience\, that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, measuring\, sawing\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience\, along with time for personal exploration and experimentation following their own rhythm\, these workshops are not for you! However\, you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that offer a
 shorter period\, building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins\, and any other books they find or are listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building.  We ask that you watch the many videos on our our “International Cob Workshop” playlist on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \n  \n \nNgecha\, Kenya students from Vermont\, Catalunya and Nyeri gettin’ good at Cob Breading! 2025 \n\n  \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering\, so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we will aim to adjust appropriately. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob while respecting your physical limitations!!! \n  \n \nLunch Break at Mlabgo Farm in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course including meals. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate\, unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \nNICOLAS PIMENTEL \nCob Instructor & Master Cobber \n  \n\n \nHappy Long-Term Builder! \n\nI was born and raised in Santiago\, Chile\, and had a childhood deeply connected to the arts and nature. From an early age\, I felt a strong curiosity to travel and learn about other cultures\, people\, and places. During my university years as an architecture student\, I went to study in Porto\, Portugal in my final year. There\, I first encountered the idea of natural building while attending a conference in Prague. After this brief introduction to theoretical knowledge\, I wanted to get hands-on experience.  In 2017\, while searching online\, I found a CruzinCobGlobal workshop taught by Claudine in the Azores Islands\, and that was the beginning of this amazing journey of fascination with and passion for Earthen Building\, as well as a great\, long friendship with Claudine. After spending a long time on the islands\, I returned to Chile to receive my degree in architecture. I also went to Colorado to assist in a CCG workshop lead by Claudine\, and then assisted & co-taught 2 CCG workshops in Chile. \n\n \nNico leading the light straw clay 2nd floor of Claudine’s Cob Villa in 2021 \n\nI also learned other natural building techniques at TIBÁ in Brazil\, and continued working independently in Chile\, where I built my first light straw clay house in southern Chile.  This is when I eventually settled in the northern Patagonian mountain town of Pucón\, where I co-founded my architecture studio\, PIWA.  My focus is designing homes in rural areas\, integrating bioconstruction and bioarchitecture techniques. Parallel to this\, I returned to the Azores Islands to teach a light clay straw workshop on Claudine’s land in 2021 and a Complete Full Build Workshop in 2023. \n\n \nPlaster Master! \n\nMy motivation to keep learning has never waned\, and this drive took me to Marrakech to learn Tadelakt from ancient masters. I also constantly return to books to learn more about various techniques and experiment with them.  In 2024\, I began teaching online workshops as well as in-person workshops on earthen plasters in southern Portugal and southern Chile. \nCurrently\, I work as an architect in my own studio\, mainly designing in southern Chile. I am also co-founder of a conservation project called Jungla Peumayen\, located in the central region’s mountains\, where we focus on the conservation of flora and fauna\, conducting rewilding efforts by reinserting wild animals\, among other activities. I also co-founded Kalina\, a creative space in nature located in northern Patagonia\, where I reside and am currently building my second light straw clay home. \nI love teaching these techniques and learning from other students. I believe every interaction is an opportunity for learning\, and bringing earthen building to new environments and professionalizing it is a crucial task in contributing to this paradigm shift. The earth has built me and I am constantly growing and learning from it! \n  \nZOE VERBAANT \nCob Assistant \n  \n \nZoe in her element in Kenya\, 2025 \n\n  \nHi! I’m Zoë\, 34\, from the Netherlands\, and currently I live wherever I lay my head down. I have always been very passionate about the world\, nature\, humanity\, and how everything is related. As a child I would philosophy about these topics. I was fascinated with indigenous tribal peoples living exclusively of the land they walk on. I dreamed of living like that too\, in a house made of bamboo\, or mud\, that I’d built myself. \nGrowing up\, I ‘did life’ differently than the people around me\, trying to follow my passions. I eventually studied ecology\, nature and wildlife management\, dreaming to contribute to conservation of primary ecosystems. I’d travel everytime I had managed to save up with waitress jobs. Not only because I love exploring every corner of the world\, also because of my strong need to put my energy into conservation related projects. Through these endeavours I eventually \n  \n \nZanzibar Youth love Zoe! \n\n  \nended up volunteering at a place in Spain\, in 2015\, where 2 elderly people were re-designing their lifestyle to a more connected life\, and that included natural building – restoring the ruined dry stone wall buildings. \nI loved doing that\, and in 2017 I joined a massive earth bag build in Australia\, that also incorporated rammed earth walls and a cob oven. It was a very beautiful holistic experience. And somehow it felt as though I had built like it before. A puzzle piece fell in place.. From then on\, in my travels I would often look for opportunities to build\, restore or beautify people’s homes\, slowly learning more\, gaining skills\, growing as a person and feeding my soul. I’ve been interested in all the different possibilities within the concept of natural building…. and there are many. \nBesides the above\, I worked on 2 hempcrete builds in the Netherlands\, a round timber frame gazebo with reciprocal green roof in France\, restoring an old wattle/daub Tudor house in Germany\, a Cob roundhouse in Spain. And a month ago a mud brick house in Thailand. I have done several plastering and paint jobs here and there\, using earthen and lime mixes. Adding to that I have done some small works\, learning about slip straw\, pallet cob\, sgraffito and other plaster murals\, tadelakt and building rocket mass heaters. \n  \n \nZoë and Claudine celebrating the beautiful Kenya Cob Workshop build in March 2025! \n\n  \nI joined the CruzinCobGlobal Cob house and Oven & Bench workshop\, on São Miguel in 2023. I really wanted a start to finish experience\, combining all the techniques involved. It gave me a big boost in my building skills and I made great friendships. 
Moving on from there I felt confident I could have a go at designing and teaching building\, which I did in Tanzania. We made a gazebo style classroom with coral rock\, earth and wood. 
After I complete a very exciting journey of sharing the knowledge\, through CruzinCobGlobal\, in Kenya\, alongside Claudine\, I am looking forward to assisting my Cob Instructor Nicolas Pimentel in Belgium! \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \n\n\n \nHost Nicole’s layout in Pescadero\, CA\, 2024 \n\n  \n\n\nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  Weekends students will be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen.  Meals will be  vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! Carnivores & pescatarians & omnivores will\, if desired\, be offered non-vegetarian options of meals a few times a week and/or supplemented with canned fish\, dried meats\, cold cuts. They are also welcome to buy or bring their own supplements. \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed\, but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs\, will probably not be able to be honored\, and kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \nCamping with your own tent and bedding is free. Students at this workshop are also welcome to rent a bed in a 4-person shared room in the main house for 5€/night o 175€ for the 35-day workshop.   Otherwise\, please bring a good tent and warm sleeping bag\, pad\, pillow and blanket just in case… or camping hammock. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents can fly in to Charleroi airport (CRL) in Brussels  or Strasbourg (SXB)\, France or Luxembourg (LUX) and take public transportation to Aubange.  Trains\, buses\, BlaBlaCar are all European options for arriving as well.  More info will be provided in the Welcome Letter on other options for arriving\, including carpooling with European students driving in.  We will create a Whatsapp group one month out\, so students can organize rides & transport together. \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: 2400€\, paid in full by April 6th\, 2025 \nEarly Bird Rate: 2500€\, paid in full by May 6th\, 2025 \nStandard Rate: 2600€\, paid in full by June 6th\, 2025 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a 250€ discount for working one hour each weekday from 6:30am to 7:30am either on the site prepping materials and other work as guided by the Instructors or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nFor US residents\, payment can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay using the Wise app/website using same email or the following IBAN:  BE44 9673 1046 6145.  We are happy to send you an invite to Wise which gives you a free first transfer of 500€. \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is June 6th\, 2025. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by April 6th\, 2025 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by May 6th\, 2025 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after May 6th\, 2025 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \nSEE YOU IN THE MUUUUUUD!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/a-complete-cob-cottage-in-southeast-belgium-this-summer-aubange/
LOCATION:La Fourmiliere\, Aubange\, Aubange\, Aubange\, Belgium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCGFlyer-BelgiumCOB2025.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Costa_Rica:20250323T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Costa_Rica:20250427T140000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104947
CREATED:20241018T182820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241018T182820Z
UID:9505-1742738400-1745762400@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Community Healing Cob "Cabina" in Puerto Viejo\, Costa Rica!
DESCRIPTION:LOCATION \n  \nThe workshop will be held at Eso Terra’s cozy jungle-immersed campus\, located a short walk from Playa Chiquita\, and close to the town of Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast near the Panamanian border. More mellow then the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica\, it also has a more African influence and calm waters.  We are not only perfectly located between Manzanillo National Park and Puerto Viejo town\, but also situated just a short ten-minute walk from one of the nicest beaches in town\, Playa Chiquita\, safe and beautiful\, with numerous cafes & restaurants for after-class and weekend hanging out.  Puerto Viejo itself is a creative and vibrant town\, bustling with visitors from all over the world\, and infused with Caribbean and indigenous Bri Bri cultures. \n  \n \nLa Playa Chiquita \n\n  \nAt your fingertips will be nature like you’ve never experienced – monkeys\, sloths\, hummingbirds\, etc.  Most unique about the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is the “jungle meets ocean” experience.  Our home is situated in the jungle\, which walks right up to the incredibly stunning beaches nearby. This is a true paradise! But not for the faint of heart. While the days are mostly sunny\, and the temperature not too hot (though sometimes it can be quite humid)\, there are certainly hard rains\, insects\, scorpions and spiders – and any other animals that come in a jungle rain forest environment. \n  \n \nSecond Floor Communal Space in the treetops \n\n  \nThe house is a unique open air rustic refuge. Troupes of monkeys\, hummingbirds\, and toucans regularly dance amidst the trees here. You’ll arrive through an open air kitchen with an open bathroom layout.  We have a communal table in the open kitchen\, inviting community cooking and chats. Upstairs is our lounge and co-working and community space\, where people can eat\, meet\, work and connect\, and another bathroom space. \nThere are two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. Upstairs bedrooms have canopy views\, open access to the communal lounge area\, and a shared bathroom. The downstairs room lacks windows\, and feels more enclosed.  This will be the location for indoor camping with mattresses\, for people who want slightly upgraded indoor living conditions \nWe have outdoor exposed and covered spaces for camping and can offer a wooden bungalow/ cabina\, which can sleep up to two people\, for an additional fee. This space would be perfect for a couple who wishes to have private living quarters\, or could be outfitted with two beds/ and mattresses to fit two individuals who would like a private indoor room rather than a camping setup. We also have Mary Luz hotel just down the hill (on the way to the beach) for anyone looking for shared rooms at a relatively cheap price ($20-$25/ per person per night). \nOur community here is one of a kind – there are ecstatic dances\, sound and medicine journeys\, sweat lodges\, fresh markets\, yoga\, kundalini and art classes at your fingertips weekly. We are surrounded by waterfalls\, hikes\, dolphins and nature excursions. Our diverse and vibrant community gathers regularly for singing circles\, potlucks and bonfires under the stars.  We welcome all you future Cobbers in this magical space and look forward to getting to know you and spending some magical time together! \nGALLERY \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCabina\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT \nThrough this collaboration\, Eso Terra campus will have a beautiful Cob Cabina that will function as a central meeting space for ritual and connection. It will also serve as a meditation room and treatment room for guests to give and receive holistic treatments like massage\, reiki\, and purpose work. This will be a private and nourishing space for integrative community\, restorative and healing experiences.\n  \n \nAzores\, 2023 \n\n  \nThe 5-week Advanced Cobber Certification Workshop students will be building the Cob Cabina\, as always\, with 12 pairs of loving\, muddy hands and feet.  From the “boots”\, or rock foundation\, to the “hat”\, or reciprocal green roof\, we will cover everything in between!  Students leave full of inspiration\, motivation\, passion\, empowerment and hunger for more.  Did we tell you that Cob is an addiction?  The best kind! \n  \n  \n \nAzores\, 2024 \n\n  \nWe will be building our trademark 14m2/150ft2 round building (final size is always dependent on class number) for Eso Terra residents & guests to use. The breathtaking reciprocal roof structure we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is\, due to its interlocking spiral structure which holds itself up with no outward pressure on the monolithic round wall of the building. In addition\, it mirrors the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies\, who meet under these types of rooves for council circles and ceremonies\, and thus acts as a spiritual support for any meaningful interactions taking place within our cob buildings.  The Earthen walls provide the feel of being in a womb\, protected from toxins\, noise\, and are visually nurturing & comforting in their irregular imperfect appearance & texture. \n\nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch.  In week 1\, we start off by digging the trench and fill it with gravel\, a drainage pipe\, and a sturdy aesthetic stone foundation to support the wall and roof.  We finish the week off by pouring the adobe/cob floor on a gravel base.  In weeks 2 & 3\, we build the monolithic cob wall with all its detailed insertions and finish it with 1-2 days of relaxed sculpting.  In week 4 we plaster our beautifully-decorated and strong wall with an earthen mix\, followed by the reciprocal green roof installation that extends into week 5.  On the last day of the workshop we  close up the top of the wall and pour the final floor coat to complete the workshop.\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n \n2-Story Cob House\, Azores\, 2021 \n\n  \nNote: We especially invite non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and aim for a healthy balance as our ideal.  CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people\, so we can create international cob building families where all students grow and learn on a personal and interpersonal level.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and come and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2025. \n\n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The Workshop begins at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch\, around 2pm. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs\, unless a work trade or meal fee is approved by Host (to be decided closer to the date). The Opening Circle begins promptly at 4pm\, followed by a Host Site Orientation at 5pm\, Dinner at 6pm and an Introduction to the Project by the Instructors at 7pm. \nWe require that students arrive Saturday or Sunday by 2pm AT THE LATEST!!! We need to begin ALL TOGETHER\, as the MOST important information for the success and smooth-running of the workshop and the well-being of the students will happen on Sunday between 4pm and 8:30pm.  It is very inconvenient for late students\, Host\, Instructors and the group\, when someone arrives late and misses any of the opening sessions.  Please be punctual because Monday morning at 9 am we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building and students need to be prepared and ready to go!!!!  Please aim to arrive to this workshop on Saturday\, unless you are a local resident\, to avoid issues due to flight delays or changes.\n \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture at 2:30pm\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n\nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, go traveling\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions.  Puerto Viejo has bikes to rent and students can organize car rentals to explore farther on weekends. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 15m2 curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n\n\n\n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30-1:00 Class \n1:00-2:30 Lunch \n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s) \n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together both physically & energetically!  Out of respect for the Instructors & the group\, we ask that students always communicate with Instructors if they are having any issues that cause them to be late or have to excuse themselves from class for something. \n  \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)*\ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)*\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 coats)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding reciprocal roof frame\nputting on roof sheathing and other elements\ninstalling green roof\nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC)\ntime & cost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves (for stone work)\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)*\nLevel (2ft)*\nHammer*\nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (email:goldhillclayplaster@gmail.com)\nEar Plugs* (roof week)\nSafety Glasses*\nWood Chisel*\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids* (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener\nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like skilsaw\, grinder wth metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw\, extra hammers\, trowels\, saws\, levels…will be very welcome if you have them and are driving in.  Some students fly in wth only carry-on luggage and can’t bring some of these tools. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t the Host will provide them. \n  \n***PLEASE READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT INFO!!!*** \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent\, it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder and it disturbs the integrity of the group. It takes the whole village to see the building through from start to finish!  In addition\, Instructors set up building work according to students’ strengths and learning needs.  In short\, if you don’t feel that you will be able to be present every day for every session\, please re-think your readiness for our Advanced Training.  We attract serious and highly-motivated students so if that’s you\, you will be surrounded by others with the same desire to learn and build! \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically.. If someone is physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the Certificate (only paying food costs).  If physically injured or ill (and capable)\, it is requested students still be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities\, so as to not miss out on information and keep learning by observation\, and thus still qualify for the Certificate. \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical and mental experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob-making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand\, but are more flowing\, multi-faceted and cardiovascular in movement. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students tap into their creative source now and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with visual beauty and meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by Host(s).  Plastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience\, that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, measuring\, sawing\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience\, along with time for personal exploration and experimentation following their own rhythm\, these workshops are not for you! However\, you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that offer a
 shorter period\, building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins\, and any other books they find or are listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building.  We ask that you watch the many videos on our our “International Cob Workshop” playlist on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can\, to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering\, so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we will aim to adjust appropriately. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob while respecting your physical limitations!!! \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course including meals. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate\, unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\, 
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n\n\n\n\n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  Weekends students will be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen.  Meals will be  vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! Carnivores & pescatarians & omnivores will\, if desired\, be offered non-vegetarian options of meals a few times a week and/or supplemented with canned fish\, dried meats\, cold cuts. They are also welcome to buy additions to cook on the side. \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed\, but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs will probably not be able to be honored. And kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \nCamping with your own tent and bedding is always free. There will be an inside floor option for camping for a limited number of people and a wooden cabina for two people to rent. Ask about the fee. The Mary Luz Hotel close by is another option for people but it’ always preferable to be onsite for many reasons. \nThere is Wifi\, a Washer & Dryer (for a fee) & a Hot Shower! \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \nStudents from abroad will need to fly in to San José and take either another short flight for $125 to Limón and an $80 taxi to Eso Terra\, a shared airport shuttle for $65 (4-5 hours) or a standard bus for $7 (cheapest).  Shuttle can be organized just for the students by Host as we get closer to the arrival time and know how many people will arrive together\, which will be cheaper. \n  \nNICOLAS PIMENTEL \nCob Instructor & Master Cobber \n  \n \nHappy Builder! \n\n  \nI was born and raised in Santiago\, Chile\, and had a childhood deeply connected to the arts and nature. From an early age\, I felt a strong curiosity to travel and learn about other cultures\, people\, and places. During my university years as an architecture student\, I went to study in Porto\, Portugal in my final year. There\, I first encountered the idea of natural building while attending a conference in Prague. After this brief introduction to theoretical knowledge\, I wanted to get hands-on experience.  In 2017\, while searching online\, I found a CruzinCobGlobal workshop taught by Claudine in the Azores Islands\, and that was the beginning of this amazing journey of fascination with and passion for Earthen Building\, as well as a great\, long friendship with Claudine. After spending a long time on the islands\, I returned to Chile to receive my degree in architecture. I also went to Colorado to assist in a CCG workshop lead by Claudine\, and then assisted & co-taught 2 CCG workshops in Chile. \n  \n \nNico leading the light straw clay 2nd floor of Claudine’s Cob Villa in 2021 \n\n  \nI also learned other natural building techniques at TIBÁ in Brazil\, and continued working independently in Chile\, where I built my first light straw clay house in southern Chile.  This is when I eventually settled in the northern Patagonian mountain town of Pucón\, where I co-founded my architecture studio\, PIWA.  My focus is designing homes in rural areas\, integrating bioconstruction and bioarchitecture techniques. Parallel to this\, I returned to the Azores Islands to teach a light clay straw workshop on Claudine’s land in 2021 and a Complete Full Build Workshop in 2023. \n  \n \nPlaster Master! \n\n  \nMy motivation to keep learning has never waned\, and this drive took me to Marrakech to learn Tadelakt from ancient masters. I also constantly return to books to learn more about various techniques and experiment with them.  In 2024\, I began teaching online workshops as well as in-person workshops on earthen plasters in southern Portugal and southern Chile. \nCurrently\, I work as an architect in my own studio\, mainly designing in southern Chile. I am also co-founder of a conservation project called Jungla Peumayen\, located in the central region’s mountains\, where we focus on the conservation of flora and fauna\, conducting rewilding efforts by reinserting wild animals\, among other activities. I also co-founded Kalina\, a creative space in nature located in northern Patagonia\, where I reside and am currently building my second light straw clay home. \nI love teaching these techniques and learning from other students. I believe every interaction is an opportunity for learning\, and bringing earthen building to new environments and professionalizing it is a crucial task in contributing to this paradigm shift. The earth has built me and I am constantly growing and learning from it! \n  \nALICIA SALAS \nCob Assistant \n  \n \nBeaming Cobber! \n\n  \nHola\, me llamo Alicia! I’m a Californian Tica (Costa Rican)\, who has led an unconventional\nlife. I have a major in International Relations and a minor in Spanish. My studies and travels have led me to live in the villages of Slovakia\, the brilliant beaches of Brazil\, a cacao farm in Costa Rica\, and now Puerto Rico where I live. \n  \n \nPlastering in Puerto RIco \n\n  \nMy first introduction to Natural Building was in Costa Rica in 2019\, where I built and lived in a super adobe home.  I then had the opportunity to learn and construct two adobe pizza ovens. Being inside my first Earthen home was life changing.  I was amazed by the beauty\, how I felt living in an Earthen home\, and how it completely rewired my brain. I have always loved architecture\, sustainability\, and interior design\, and this encompassed everything I love. Suddenly I didn’t just want to build my own house one day\, I wanted to build an Earthen house. I started looking at different techniques\, and that is when I discovered Cob. \n  \n \nThe crew in the Azores led by Nico! \n\n  \nI built my first Cob house with CruzinCobGlobal in the Azores in Portugal in 2023\, taught by Nico.  After the house build I stayed on to build a beautiful cob oven and bench. I now live in Puerto Rico\, working in construction on houses that were affected by hurricanes. In February 2024\, CruzinCobGlobal came to Utuado Puerto Rico\, and I came back as a return student for my second house build. This house was unique because we got to work with bamboo for the reciprocal roof. I am particularly fond of Earthen floors\, plastering\, and roofing! I love Cob\, and I love the community and friends I have made along the way. Natural building has changed my life\, and I am very excited to continue working in this field\, with the dream of building my own Cob house one day! \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: USD$2500\, paid in full by December 1st\, 2024 \nEarly Bird Rate: USD$2600\, paid in full by February 1st\, 2025 \nStandard Rate: USD$2700\, paid in full by March 1st\, 2025 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a $250 discount for working one hour each weekday from 6:30am to 7:30am either on the site prepping materials and other work as guided by the Instructors or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay in USD using the Wise app/website using same email. \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is March 1st\, 2025. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by January 1st\, 2025 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by February 1st\, 2025 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after February 1st\, 2025 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \n  \nSEE YOU IN THE MUUUUUUD! \n \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/community-healing-cob-cabina-in-puerto-viejo-costa-rica/
LOCATION:Eso Terra\, Playa Chiquita\, Puerto Viejo\, Limón\, Costa Rica
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/11b6905d-c546-428d-8e8a-4028f254166a.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250209T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250316T160000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20240918T233737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T164419Z
UID:9493-1739116800-1742140800@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Build a Cob Community Roundhouse at Mlango Farm in Ngecha\, Kenya in February/March 2025!
DESCRIPTION:A PERSONAL WORD FROM CLAUDINE…. \n  \nI am so excited that CruzinCobGlobal will be back on the vibrant and diverse continent of Africa after an 8-year hiatus. We led several multicultural Cob workshops in Senegal and Morocco between 2015 & 2016\, building bungalows and ovens\, and half a dozen full-builds between 2016 and 2022 in Cabo Verde\, the African islands off the coast of Senegal. Now we have a long-awaited opportunity to be hosted in East Africa\, in the Limuru region of Kenya\, just outside of Nairobi\, by Els Breet and her Mlango (door to a better world) Organic Farm crew. We are wanting to create a workshop consisting of students coming from Kenya\, other parts of Africa\, and of course from the immediate local community. \n  \nOUR HOST \n  \n  \n \nOur Host Els with her beloved Kamande \n\n  \nMlango Farm was started in 2007 on the Mundia family land in Ngecha by Els Breet Kamande and her late husband\, Kamande Njenga (1960-2023). Kamande’s broad business experience\, sense of hospitality\, his knowledge of Kenya and its people together with Els’ work experience in international diplomatic\, environmental and educational institutions proved a good base to start a farm together. Over the years a neglected farmland was turned into a heaven on earth\, a beautiful organic farm with over 50 different types of crops growing\, providing a livelihood for people from the Ngecha community. The passion and love for the project can be seen and felt when guests are visiting the family home at Mlango Farm. \n  \n \nOur source of veggies for the workshop! Lucky us! \n\n  \nWe are developing a natural playground in the forest. For over 17 years\, we’ve been pioneers in Kenya\, growing organic vegetables with love and care. We’ve welcomed over 10\,000 children\, mostly from the bustling city of Nairobi\, and shown them how we work in harmony with nature—because we believe their future depends on it. \nBut we’re dreaming even bigger. Our new goal? We want to give far more than 10\,000 children the chance to experience nature\, to taste it\, to smell it. We want to create a large natural playground to explore\, be creative and learn in and from nature. And that’s just the beginning. \n  \n \nãW \n\n  \nMlango Farm supports the Mlango Farm Foundation\, an organization that offers school visits and various courses on agriculture on the farm. The educational work of the Mlango Farm Foundation is supported by the Stichting Mlango Farm in The Netherlands. \nMlango Farm grows in a sustainable way\, following the rule of the 5 R’s: we Refuse\, Reduce\, Recycle\, Re-use\, and Rot our resources as much as we can. We make and collect Ecobricks (building blocks made of plastic waste) to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our environment. Soon we will build a cottage made of ecobricks and cob. We will be happy to tell you more about it! \nAt Mlango Farm we aim at a sustainable way of farming\, without using chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. We follow the principles of Permaculture and regenerative farming. \nFor individual households in Nairobi we deliver weekly farmshare baskets with a variety of fresh vegetables. We literally share the harvest with our ‘share-holders’. The basket comprises of at least 10 varieties and changes weekly\, depending on availability. One basket is enough for 4 or 5 meals. \nFollowing Mlango Farm’s commitment to sustainability\, reducing our carbon footprint\, and supporting greener living\, we deliver the baskets by electric bicycle\, to different areas in Nairobi. \nMlango Farm grows the following vegetables\, herbs\, and a few fruits: Arrowroot\, Avocado\, Baby Carrot\, Bananas (+ matoke)\, Beetroot\, Borage\, Broccoli\, Cabbage\, Cauliflower\, Carrots\, Celery\, Cherry tomatoes\, Chinese cabbage\, Chioggia\, Chives\, Chayote\, Courgette\, Cucumber\, Daikon\, Dhania/Coriander\, Eggplant\, Fennel\, Green capsicum\, Kohlrabi\, Leek\, Lemongrass\, Lemon Verbena\, Lettuce (12 different types)\, Mint\, Mizuna\, Nasturtium\, NewZealand Spinach\, Pakchoi\, Parsley\, Peaches (only in November)\, Radish\, Red Cabbage\, Rosemary\, Rucola\, Sage\, Savoy cabbage\, Spinach\, Spring Onion\, Sukuma Wiki\, Sweet potato\, Swiss Chard\, Tarragon\, Tatsoi\, Tree tomatoes\, Turnips\, White Sapote. \nThe Home Art Gallery at Mlango Farm is run by Njee Muturi (of Zanji Art). The collection consists of a wide range of African art: paintings from known and less known (mainly Kenyan) artists\, masks\, sculptures and wood carved furniture. Often we have an ‘artist in residence’ staying with us at the farm. We also organize workshops on ‘nature print’ and we support the Ngecha Artists group with workshops with different materials and different techniques. \nOur Host has been a COB-aholic for a long time and while her staff have made a Kenyan-style cob house with stick framing\, now Els and her team will get to experience Euro-American-style cob building  as taught by CruzinCobGlobal and built by the workshop students. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nãW\n\n\n  \nTHE PROJECT \n  \nWe will be building a 14m2/150ft2 round Cob Community Space for the temporary volunteers and visitors as well as the permanent residents of Mlango Farm to meet as a community for Council Circles\, Healing Work\, classes\, trainings\, meditation\, ceremonies and other personal activities . The reciprocal roof we build in all of our workshops symbolizes an interdependent community in which all are equal at their essence.  It is the strongest roof there is due to its interlocking spiral structure\, which reflects the individuals sitting together below and the strength of their interconnection. It represents the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous and traditional societies. \n\nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch in the following order: \nWeek 1: digging the trench and building a stone foundation and building the first floor layers \nWeeks 2 & 3:  building a circular monolithic cob wall with all its detailed insertions with sculpting \nWeek 4:  plastering the inside and outside of the wall & building the primary rafter structure \nWeek 5:  completing the wood roof structure\, green roof\, the top of the wall & the 2nd floor coat \n  \n \nPescadero\, California workshop July/August 2024 \n\n  \nWe especially invite non-White and multiracial students to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG in Kenya\, in the Motherland of Humanity.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and in which there is a healthy balance of races and cultures. CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people so we can create international cob building families.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cobber and one Cob house at a time.  So please listen to your Soul Calling and the excitement of your Heart when thinking of joining us in Kenya or anywhere else we are teaching\, and come and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2025. And be part of creating a New World…\n \n  \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\n\n  \n\n  \n \nA new Cob Family ready to go! \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by Instructor Claudine Desiree and Assistant Tania de Froberville.  Monday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!! \n  \n \nSnack time….after a long day finishing the roof! \n\n  \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Most Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by another session of construction and demonstrations. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin the building and learning session again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n  \n \nAppreciating the finish work! \n\n  \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions and we will also enjoy local music and dance\, fire\, singing and whatever other surprises our Host Nyakio has in store for the group. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s).  This is a required and essential element of our workshops to keep a balance between the physical work and emotional/spiritual needs that will come up\, in a safe and intimate setting. \n  \n \nPlacing the roof shims on the rafters \n\n  \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students themselves\, who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions.  Students are encouraged to visit the surroundings and eat in local eateries and will be guided by Nyakio.  Also there will be information and transport options available for those who want to go on weekend getaways to see other parts of Kenya.  These are always an additional cost of course. \n  \n \nEnjoying the accomplishment of a beautiful niche \n\n  \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 15m2  curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof.  Students who have to miss more than ONE day of the workshop will receive a temporary partial Certificate naming the parts they have completed and will need to complete all the missed time in another workshop to get the final Certificate. \n\n\n\n  \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. International students should arrive a day or two before Sunday to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs unless a work trade or payment option is approved by Host (to be decided closer to the date). \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30-1:00 Class \n1:00-2:30 Lunch \n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s) \n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be ON TIME and participate in ALL sessions and required activities as the goal of completing a full construction depends on the whole group being present and working together: physically\, energetically\, emotionally. \n  \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)*\ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)*\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 coats)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding reciprocal roof frame\nputting on roof sheathing and other elements\ninstalling green roof\nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC)\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves (for stone work)\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)*\nLevel (2ft)*\nHammer*\nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (email:goldhillclayplaster@gmail.com)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nWood Chisel*\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSafety Glasses\nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener\nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like skillsaw\, grinder with metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw…will be very welcome if you are driving in and able to bring them. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t because you are flying in\, the Host will provide them of course. \n  \n  \n***VERY IMPORTANT INFO*** \n  \n  \n \nFinishing the roof in Puerto Rico \n\n  \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and timeframe. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in ALL building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students we will have\, and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \n  \n \nMorning stretching is critical to a successful workshop and creates time for meaningful connection before starting the day \n\n  \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically.. If someone is physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the complete Certificate (and will only pay food costs).  If physically injured or ill (and capable)\, it is requested students be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities to not miss out on information and learning by observation\, and to qualify for the Certificate.  For those who have any disabilities that may interfere with these requirements and would like to participate in the workshop\, please contact Claudine. \n  \n \nWorking with the Ancestors \n\n  \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students their creative source now and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with visual beauty and meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by Host(s) but sometimes students are free to create the theme and design and present to Host. \n  \n \nSomeone enjoys the finishing work! \n\n  \nPlastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale.  The group also begins the process of letting go and tending to the new relations they have made and talking about the future. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you. However you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that are usually for a
 shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \n\nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins and any other books they find or listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building\, as well as watching our “International Cob Workshop” videos on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery/Videos\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can\, to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \n  \n \nThe joy of sculpting after all the heavy work is done \n\n  \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and sometimes help the building part in less physically
 demanding ways if you have physical limitations\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob!!!!  But this has to be discussed and approved with Claudine so it does not impact the schedule of construction. \n  \n \nthe usual fine dining our Hosts provide to show their gratitude for the hard work of the students \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course including meals. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \n\nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new international COB family for life! \n  \n \nMud on the Brain after 4 weeks! \n\n  \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  Weekends students can either be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen\, or choose to have meals made by the staff for a rate of 15€/day or 3€ for breakfast and 6€ for lunch or dinner.  Meals will be mostly vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs\, but we will attend to meat eaters several times a week if desired! \nWe will also attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs will not be able to be honored. Kitchen will not be accessible on weekends for students\, but there are plenty of places to eat in the surrounding neighborhoods! \nCamping in your own tent is free and available for everyone.  Please bring your camping gear. Our host is also offering a limited number of beds (first come first serve) in various locations on the Farm.  The fee will be 6€/night. Students can buy camping gear or just blankets in Nairobi with the help of our host if they don’t want to travel with it. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nInternational students will fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and can share an Uber or Bolt (cheapest) to the site\, an hour away.   The distance to the site is only 25 miles/40km from Nairobi. Students should arrive on Saturday and can eat with the residents before the workshop for a small fee or choose to have meals prepared for a larger fee or bring their own food to make. \nADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION: \nELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ETA) \nAs of January 1st\, 2024\, all foreign nationals\, regardless of nationality\, can enter Kenya without a visa for tourism or business travel for stays up to 90 days. \nHowever\, you must obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online prior to travel. \nTo apply\, visit the ETA Platform. Please note that this is the only website you should be using\, any other website you may find on Google is a scam! \nThe ETA costs $30\, is valid for 90 days from the day when you make the payment (i.e. the day you apply) and it takes about seven days to be processed and approved.\nHence\, we recommend to apply around two weeks before the trip. \nThe ETA is only valid for one trip and travelers must obtain a new ETA for each visit to Kenya. \nMake sure your passport is still valid for at least 6 months after your planned trip and that you have at least two blank pages. \nIf you plan to travel to other East African countries\, it may make sense to get an East African visa. \nIt’s best to print your ETA and have a paper copy. \nVACCINES \nThere is no mandatory vaccine required to enter Kenya\, unless you are arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. In that case\, you will need a valid yellow fever certificate. \nIf you are arriving from Europe\, Mauritius or the USA\, you will not need a yellow fever or any other vaccine\, however there are a few recommended ones.\nPlease visit the Travel Health Pro website for more info. \nWith regards to Malaria\, Kenya is not on the list of the high risk countries. As a result\, the choice of taking Malarone (or any other drug) as a prevention is very personal.\nPlease consult your GP should you have any more questions. \nTRAVEL INSURANCE \nWe recommend anyone to get a Travel Insurance to cover your trip in Kenya. \nYou can refer to Europe Assistance or World Nomads as providers. \n  \nCOB INSTRUCTOR \nClaudine Desiree \n  \n \nLa Reina del Barro! \n\n  \nFounder and Director of CruzinCobGlobal\, Claudine Desiree has been well-known in the world of Cob Workshops for 20 years\, since holding her first workshop in her downtown Santa Cruz\, California home in 2004.  After many years in California teaching shorter-format workshops\, in which part of a building was built or finished\, while holding many careers and raising her three sons\, she launched her GlobalCobTrotter Tour in December of 2014\, and realized a life-long dream of traveling the world by bike for an extended period of time. To keep earning a living while combining her two passions\, she decided to organize cob workshops on the road in all the countries she wanted to bike to and through.  The journey ended up going for 5 years in which 30 workshops in 15 countries were held\, in Africa\, South America\, \n  \n \nAzores livin’ \n\n  \nEurope and the US. The new CruzinCobGlobal was born in 2015 with a website and a new seriousness and organization and consistency that have\, together with the unusual goal of building a complete cob cottage in 5 weeks from feet to head and all the fixins in between\, brought CCG its global reputation as the only and best complete and intensive professional cob training in the world today. \nAt this point\, and after creating her first Cob Ecovillage\, “Quinta da Vida Beleza” from 2020 to 2023 in the Azores\, with workshop students and others\, she has now stepped back from the teaching role to honor and train her best students on this path.  However\, when the workshop takes place in a new location of interest\, like Kenya\, she may decide to step in for old time’s sake\, to keep stoking her passion and love of international cob teaching! \n  \nCOB ASSISTANT \nZoë  Verbaant \n  \n \nIn Zanzibar building a cob permaculture center last year \n\n  \nHi! I’m Zoë\, 34\, I’m from the Netherlands\, and currently I live wherever I lay my head down.\nI have always been very passionate about the world\, nature\, humanity\, and how everything is related. As a child I would philosophy about these topics. I was fascinated with indigenous tribal peoples living exclusively of the land they walk on. I dreamed of living like that too\, in a house made of bamboo\, or mud\, that I’d built myself.\nGrowing up\, I ‘did life’ differently than the people around me\, trying to follow my passions. I eventually studied ecology\, nature and wildlife management\, dreaming to contribute to conservation of primary ecosystems. I’d travel everytime I had managed to save up with waitress jobs. Not only because I love exploring every corner of the world\, also because of my strong need to put my energy into conservation related projects. Through these endeavours I eventually ended up volunteering at a place in Spain\, in 2015\, where 2 elderly people were re-designing their lifestyle to a more connected life\, and that included natural building – restoring the ruined dry stone wall buildings.\nI loved doing that\, and in 2017 I joined a massive earth bag build in Australia\, that also incorporated rammed earth walls and a cob oven. It was a very beautiful holistic experience. And somehow it felt as though I had built like it before. A puzzle piece fell in place.. From then on\, in my travels I would often look for opportunities to build\, restore or beautify people’s homes\, slowly learning more\, gaining skills\, growing as a person and feeding my soul. I’ve been interested in all the different possibilities within the concept of natural building…. and there are many.\nBesides the above\, I worked on 2 hempcrete builds in the Netherlands\, a round timber frame gazebo with reciprocal green roof in France\, restoring an old wattle/daub tudor house in Germany\, a cob roundhouse in Spain. And a month ago a mud brick house in Thailand. I have done several plastering and paint jobs here and there\, using earthen and lime mixes. Adding to that I have done some small works\, learning about slip straw\, pallet cob\, scrafito and other plaster murals\, tadelakt and building rocket mass heaters.\nI joined the Cruzing Cob Global cob house and oven+bench workshop\, on Sao Miguel in 2023. I really wanted a start to finish experience\, combining all the techniques involved. It gave me a big boost in my building skills and I made great friendships.\nMoving on from there I felt confident I could have a go at designing and teaching building\, which I did in Tanzania. We made a gazebo style classroom with coral rock\, earth and wood.\nAnd now it’s very exciting to continue the journey of sharing the knowledge\, with CruzinCobGloblal\, in Kenya\, alongside Claudine.\nI know we will have an amazing time. \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: 2250€\, paid in full by November 9th\, 2024 \nEarly Bird Rate: 2350€\, paid in full by December 31st\, 2024 \nStandard Rate: 2450€\, paid in full by January 26th\, 2025 \nWe are offering 2 work trade positions which give you a 250€ discount on either food or tuition for working one hour each weekday preparing the building site from 6:30AM to 7:30AM.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment can be made in Euros using Wise to CruzinCobGlobal at the following IBAN: BE44 9673 1046 6145 or to claudinedesiree@gmail.com at Venmo\, Paypal (including the transaction fee) or Zelle with current Euro to USD conversion. \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or on Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is January 26th\, 2025. \nSpecial Note: \nLocal\, Kenyan and African students with a locally-sourced income and with full-time residence on the African continent: \nTuition and Weekday Meals: 1525€ (accommodations & weekend meals extra) \nCamping with own equipment is free (2 tents available to borrow from Host) \nBunkbed: 6€/night \nWeekend meals: 15€/day (Breakfast: 3€  Lunch: 6€ Dinner: 6€) \nWe are working to complete our 4th 1000€ scholarship for a local very motivated Kenyan student Students will need to make the food payment with their own funds or raising money on their own. \nPlease help this happen by supporting our GoFundMe fundraiser here:  (link coming soon) \nGratitude \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by December 9th\, 2024 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by January 9th\, 2025 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after January 9th\, 2025 will NOT receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \n  \nCAN’T WAIT TO GET MUDDY WITH YOU!!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/build-a-cob-community-roundhouse-in-naivasha-kenya-in-february-march-2025/
LOCATION:Mlango Farm\, Ngecha\, Kenya
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-KenyaCOB2025.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250119T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250223T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20240918T232534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240930T221213Z
UID:9489-1737302400-1740330000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Build a Cob Bohío/Cottage in Borikén/Puerto Rico in January/February 2025
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \n  \nUtuado\, Puerto Rico Workshop\, February 2024 \nThe best roof ever for all of our Cob Buildings! \nWe will be building a 14m2/150ft2 round Cob Bohío for the “Healing through Art” Center where workshops and classes will be held for the community and others. The reciprocal roof we build in all of our workshops is the strongest roof there is due to its interlocking spiral structure. In addition it represents the horizontal social structure favored in indigenous societies for council circles and other gatherings. Building in hurricane zones like Puerto Rico requires a strong resistant roof well-connected to our heavy-walled earthen buildings. \n\nStudents in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete Cob Building from scratch: digging the trench and building a stone foundation and pouring the floor in week 1\, building the monolithic cob wall with all its detailed insertions in weeks 2 & 3\, sculpting the wall in week 3\, plastering in week 4\, building the completed roof in weeks 4 & 5 and finishing the wall and the second floor coat at the end of week 5. \nJade & Arica in Pescadero: A new CobBond! \nWe especially invite non-White and multiracial students who are curious or already interested and passionate about earthen construction to come learn the art and technique of cob building with CCG in Borikén\, the indigenous name of the island.  We want a workshop that feels comfortable for non-white students\, and in which white students are not the majority. CCG has taught in many countries of the world and our mission is to create access to everyone interested\, especially the local people so we can create international cob building families.  We aim to create intercultural and interhuman bonding experiences through our Cob building workshops to heal the world one Cob house at a time.  So please follow your Heart & Soul\, listen to the Call\, and come and embark on a life-changing adventure in 2025. \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\nDay 1 : Foundation & The Rocks\, Day 1 in Pescadero\, CA.\, 2024 \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by Instructors Tom Van Well and Christian Eder.  Monday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!! \nTrimmin’ the Wall in CA. 2024 \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \nOur most recent soon-to-be certified Advanced Cobbers in Pescadero\, California with Instructors Branden & Daniel holdin’ down the passionate Cob Crew! \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Tuesdays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students\, staff & Host(s) during this intense experience. \nAlways a healthy spread at our workshops thanks to our conscious caring Hosts! \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, subject to Instructor approval.  All weekend meals are provided by students who are welcome to use the kitchen.  Host and/or other students can carpool into town for weekend food provisions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 15m2  curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as 
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n\n\n\n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs unless a work trade is approved by Host (to be decided closer to the date). \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30-1:00 Class \n1:00-2:30 Lunch \n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s) \n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)*\ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)*\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plaster (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 coats)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding reciprocal roof frame\nputting on roof sheathing and other elements\ninstalling green roof\nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC)\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves (for stone work)\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)*\nLevel (2ft)*\nHammer*\nJapanese plastering trowel(s) (email:goldhillclayplaster@gmail.com)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nWood Chisel*\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSafety Glasses\nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener\nSample of your Soil (optional) \nAny other power tools like skilsaw\, grinder wth metal blade\, cordless drill\, chop saw…will be very welcome if you are driving in. \n*These tools will be very helpful to bring if you can\, to minimize sharing and waiting\, but if you can’t the Host will provide them of course. \n  \n***VERY IMPORTANT INFO*** \n  \nAll are welcome\, no experience needed\, just a positive open attitude and mucho energy! \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building and lecture learning hours unless absolutely incapable due to illness or have some other significant/emergency reason. This is because we design the size of the building
 and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \nPouring the floor on Day 5\, Pescadero\, 2024 \nWe need and depend on everyone’s full participation in each day of the workshop.  This is a total group effort on all levels:  physically\, mentally\, emotionally and energetically.. If someone is physically absent from the site and lectures due to illness or other urgency for more than one full day\, they will need to make up the days missed in a subsequent workshop to receive the Certificate (only paying food costs).  If physically injured or ill (and capable)\, it is requested students still be present at the site and for lecture and other required evening activities to not miss out on information and learning by observation\, and to qualify for the Certificate. \nDigging the trench on Day 1\, Pescadero 2024 \nThe workshop intensity changes from week 1 to week 5 with the focus of the week. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes 
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students \nAnd the roof begins at end of week 4 with setting up the primary rafters\, Pescadero 2024 \ntap into their creative source now  and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with visual beauty and meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by Host(s). \nPlastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale. \nAhhhhh\, finally\, a loooong breath after the intensity of the first 4 weeks! \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you. However you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that are usually for a
 shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \n\nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” and “Essential Cob Construction” (see website Resources page) before the workshop begins and any other books they find or listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building\, as well as watching our “International Cob Workshop” videos on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \nThe Dessert after the hard work! Tania plastering in Puerto Rico \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and sometimes help the building part in less physically
 demanding ways if you have physical limitations\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob!!!! \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course including meals. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your \nPescadero California Cob Crew! \nregistration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
 able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \n\nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \nCO-INSTRUCTORS \n  \nChristian Eder\n \nCOB CO-INSTRUCTOR \nHello I am Christian and I grew up in Südtirol\, a German-speaking area in the Alps in Northern Italy\, surrounded by mountains and beautiful woods and lakes. From a young age nature and sustainability were part of my values\, and that is why this particular style of building makes a lot of sense to me. \nAfter finishing high school with a focus on economics\, I worked in a trading company for some time\, which didn’t satisfy me much. So I decided to do a computer science training\, after which I worked as a web developer\, but then decided to go traveling around the world for some years\, and worked as a shepherd\, industrial climber\, fruit picker and waiter.  I travelled following my passions like climbing\, hiking\, nature\, and Eastern philosophy\, specifically meditation and yoga in India.  I love to get to know people from around the world\, their cultures and their food. In essence I love the diversity of our planet and getting to know it first hand.  On the way\, I have learned many languages: German and Italian at home\, then English\, Spanish\, and some French during my studies and life\, and am currently learning Portuguese. \nCompost Toilet Intensive in the Azores \nAfter settling in Italy again\, I worked as a landscape gardener\, where I was able to gain experience that helped spark my interest in the Cob building path.  When I saw my first Cob Building in California a few years ago\, Natural Building got my attention and Cob\, especially\, felt like the path I wanted to dedicate myself to. Studying by myself with books and gaining some basic knowledge\, I felt like going deeper into this new/old field. That’s when I decided to sign up for my first Complete Cob Building Workshop taught by CruzinCobGlobal Instructor Nicolas Pimentel on the beautiful island of São Miguel in the Azores. \nI immediately felt drawn to building naturally with no huge impact on Nature.  I am fascinated with building\, not only the construction side itself\, but the community aspect as well. To create something with like-minded people feels right and is fulfilling and fun.  I also attended a bench and oven workshop where I met Tom\, my Co-Instructor and went on to build a compost toilet as a return student at Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Claudine’s Ecovillage Farm in the Azores. \nSince then I have been practicing with more projects. Last winter\, my friend Zoe\, who I also met at a CCG workshop\, and I taught and built with local people in Zanzibar at a Volunteer project in which we built an outdoor classroom. My mission is to continue on this path\, by learning\, building and passing on my knowledge. \nYou too will fall in love with this beautiful world of Natural Building. \n  \nTom Van Well \nCOB CO-INSTRUCTOR \n I’m Tom from the Netherlands and living and working in Portugal now. After I was born in Amsterdam my parents decided to take me out of the big city\, and we ended up in Maastricht! Other cultures and languages were never far away\, in Belgium and Germany right next door. \nDoing honor to the region I took my bachelor in ‘European Studies’\, with no clue where I wanted it to take me. However\, taking example from an entrepreneurial father I’d always known I wanted to do something for myself. Exploring different paths led me to be in South America for more than a year\, finish my bachelor’s degree in Berlin\, and staying there to work in a café\, which I had been doing since the age of 14. \nLeaving all my stuff in Berlin I decided to head to Portugal\, and never returned. Life took me on a rollercoaster and since that felt good\, I did not resist. While living on farms\, my partner and I learned about distillation of wild plants for essential oils and hydrosols. Over the last 2 years we have ntake people on hands-on distilling experiences and travelled around the Lisbon selling our products at markets. \nHappy Cob Sculptor! \nFour years after leaving Berlin\, I still find myself in Portugal\, climbing its rocks\, taking cold bathsevery morning in the Atlantic\, playing guitar on its beaches\, building my community of like-minded people\, developing my own COB projects and continuing the business of artisanal distillation projects\, all while enjoying life! \nI have been living on Permaculture farms in different countries over the last few years\, where the concept of natural building was always present in theory and in practice. The accessibility and intuitive approach that is inherent to COB enchanted me like nothing else. I started following this interest\, reading everything I got my hands on and practicing whenever I could until I naturally flowed into really dedicating my being to the study and practice of this ancient technique. \nTom starting to teach his own personal workshops this year in Portugal \nAfter some years of study\, I found CruzinCobGlobal and registered for two workshops back to back: a Cob Oven course in the Azores and a 5-week Full Build in Tennessee. This turned out to be a catalyst for my skills and the beginning of the next new chapter of my Life: building independently\, sharing knowledge through workshops and growing my COB community in Portugal. \nThe 5-week Full Build Workshop in Puerto Rico is a continuation of my teaching and learning journey.  I feel blessed co-teaching this workshop with my friend Christian\, whom I met in a CCG workshop! I am excited for you to join us\, as these workshops are a life-changing experience\, and have definitely been for me. \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nHost Nicole’s layout in Pescadero\, CA\, 2024 \nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday including the Welcome and Celebration Dinners and Farewell Brunch.  Weekends students will be on their own for food and may use the onsite kitchen.  Meals will be vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs will not be able to be honored. And kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \nCamping in your own tent with your own bedding is the only accommodations offered at the workshop.  Other possible local indoor housing like Airbnbs may be available and may require a vehicle. Please inquire with Claudine.  Please bring a good tent and warm sleeping bag\, pad\, pillow and blanket just in case… or camping hammock. \n\n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents can fly in to San Juan Airport (SJU) and a shuttle will be arranged for students to the workshop site on Saturday and Sunday (arriving onsite by 2pm at the latest).  There is also a closer airport\, Jose Aponte de la Terra\, only 25 minutes to the farm. The shuttle costs will be covered by the students separately.  Local students may also be able to pick others up in San Juan. Students will be responsible for their meals and food until Dinner on Sunday.  Host MAY offer these additional meals for an additional fee. \n  \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: USD$2500\, paid in full by September 19th\, 2024 \nEarly Bird Rate: USD$2600\, paid in full by November 19th\, 2024 \nStandard Rate: USD$2700\, paid in full by January 5th\, 2025 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a $250 discount on either food or tuition for working one hour each weekday supporting the site before breakfast or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay in USD using the Wise app/website using same email. \nPlease contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 to register and ask any questions. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Final payment deadline is January 5th\, 2025. \nEstudiantes boricuas con bajo ingreso pueden contactar Claudine al claudinedesiree@gmail.com para saber más sobre las opciones para residentes. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by November 19th\, 2024 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by December 19th\, 2024 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after December 19th\, 2024 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control\, in which case they will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \nLocal Puerto Rican residents who need financial support please contact Claudine at +18312127225 (Whatsapp). \n  \nSEE YOU IN THE MUUUUUUD! \n \n  \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/build-a-cob-bohio-cottage-in-boriken-puerto-rico-in-january-february-2025/
LOCATION:Finca Don Chu\, Naguabo\, Puerto Rico
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-PR-2025-01-scaled.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20240915T120000
DTEND;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20241013T120000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20240606T004414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240606T004414Z
UID:9444-1726401600-1728820800@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Cob Outdoor Kitchen with Oven\, Rocket Cooktop & Reciprocal Roof in the Azores Islands (São Miguel)
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \n  \n \nSanta Fe CruzinCobGlobal Workshop\, 2021 \n\n  \nIn this workshop we will be building a wonderful clay-based outdoor kitchen\, as well as a beautiful reciprocal roof structure to go over it. The kitchen will include a wood-fired cob oven\, great for baking and making pizza\, and a Rocket-Lorena stove. The Lorena stove was developed by the Pueblo Indians as an ingenious way to efficiently cook and store heat. Between oven and stove we will install prep and serving stations\, a sink\, and some cob benches and “half” walls (time permitting). \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION & SCHEDULE \n  \n  \n \n5-week workshop students building a reciprocal roof in the Azores in 2023 \n\n  \nIn the first week we will learn how to install a reciprocal frame roof structure on an existing wood support\, followed by a green roof covering.  In weeks 2 & 3 we will start with building various dimensions of interconnected lava stone foundations to support our Cob Oven\, Rocket Stove Cooktop\, and Counter/Work Table and Shelving and then begin making cob as we learn the technical building of an Oven and Rocket Stove & Cooktop.  In week 4 we will complete our work by finishing the cob with beautiful earthen plasters. All materials will be local\, of course\, to the island\, except the refractory bricks and possibly one straw bale. \n  \n \nThe beginning of the rocket stove \n\n  \nThis workshop is designed as a crash course to familiarize participants with the global skills for building an outdoor kitchen. A lot of material will be covered and a lot of different tasks and processes will be happening simultaneously. As such\, as a student\, expect to be toggling between different areas of interest and be prepared to absorb a lot of information. Every other day we will engage in theoretical discussions and lectures after lunch to help contextualize the work we will be doing. \nFor anyone interested in learning beforehand\, listed below is some recommended reading: \n* “The Rocket Mass Heater Builder’s Guide” by Ernie and Erica Weisner\n* “Build Your Own Earthen Oven” by Kiko Denzer\n* “The Hand Sculpted House” by Ianto Evans\, Michael Smith and\n* “The Complete Cob Construction Guide” by Michael Smith \nParticipants in this workshop will learn: \n1. the ins and outs of earth-based building\, including cob\, wattle and daub & earthen plasters \n2. how to design and install a reciprocal frame roof structure \n3. all about rocket stove technology: history\, design\, principles of combustion\, fuel selection\,      best practices\, and how to integrate one into other cooking systems such as the Lorena stove \n4. how to design\, build\, and operate a clay-based oven \n5. a general approach towards designing an outdoor kitchen\, including space optimization and efficiently locating appliances \n4-Week Schedule: \nWeek 1: Reciprocal roof\nWeek 2: Foundations and drainage\, Cob\, Rocket Stove Core\, and plumbing prep\nWeek 3: Oven and Lorena stove\, install cabinet\, shelving\, storage and prep surfaces\, and begin plaster prep\nWeek 4: Finish plaster prep\, plaster\, pizza party \nDaily Schedule: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast\n8:30-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class & Lectures\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/cob-outdoor-kitchen-with-oven-rocket-cooktop-reciprocal-roof-in-the-azores-islands-sao-miguel/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-AzoresCOB2024.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240505T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240609T140000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20231226T232956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231226T232956Z
UID:9145-1714917600-1717941600@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Complete Cob Guest Cottage at the RoundHouse Retreat in North Carolina (Murphy)
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \nWe will be building a 14m2/150ft2 round cob bungalow/cottage for our Host Amy that will be rented out to guests who want to experience off-grid living and learn solar\, micro-hydro and other independent living technologies.  This will be Amy’s first 100% Natural Building on the site. The main house is made out of handcrafted kiln-dried cedar cordwood with a super high R-value and concrete between the logs. Students in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete cob building from scratch: digging the trench and building a stone foundation and pouring the floor in week 1\, building the monolithic cob wall with all its detailed insertions in weeks 2 & 3\, sculpting the wall in week 3\, plastering in week 4\, building the completed roof in weeks 4 & 5 and finishing the wall and the second floor coat at the end of week 5. \nPlease visit our website event page for all the details and to register: \nComplete Cob Guest Cottage at the RoundHouse Retreat in North Carolina (Murphy)
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/complete-cob-guest-cottage-at-the-roundhouse-retreat-in-north-carolina-murphy/
LOCATION:Roundhouse Retreat\, 1397 Dinkins Creek Road\, Murphy\, NC\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-NC-2024.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Puerto_Rico:20240121T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Puerto_Rico:20240225T160000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20231101T222235Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231121T192515Z
UID:9068-1705852800-1708876800@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Complete Cob Bungalow in Utuado\, Puerto Rico
DESCRIPTION:INTRODUCTION & LOCATION \n  \n\n \nThe mountains of Utuado surrounding the farm. \n\n  \nCruzinCobGlobal presents its first Carribbean workshop ever at Finca Remedio (visit website and Instagram page for more info)\, a 40-acre permaculture farm in the mountains of Puerto Rico\, in January & February of 2024!. We are so excited to bring Cob to Puerto Rico and especially to the more indigenous traditional zone of Utuado\, in the center of the island\, where most people already live sustainably and from and in harmony with the land.  The mountains of Utuado harbor a highly-fertile and mostly innocuous and \n  \n\n \nThe Cañon Blanco River swimming hole nearby! \n\n  \ntranquil jungle environment with a more humid climate\, clean rivers & waterfalls\, fresh drinking water\, breathtaking hikes and amazing views of the island.  While the Finca is neighborless and a bit isolated\, it is only a 10-minute car drive to the main town of Utuado\, where everything can be found to support the workshop and students. \n  \n\n \nNorth Carolina Cob Workshop students built this beautiful version of what we build in our workshops…in May/June 2023\, led by Josh Burg and Paula Carneiro! \n\n  \nBeing a hurricane-prone location\, we proudly bring our Cob Building as a first test site in the face of the 100+mph winds that can show up in summer and fall!  Our monolithic Cob Cottage wall alone weighs about 30 tons and is an average of 10″ thick (larger at the base and narrower at the top).  The reciprocal roof we build is also very heavy as it is framed with young tree trunks and has an extremely stable spiral configuration\, in which each roundwood rafter supports and is supported by neighboring rafters in an interdependent structure.  Any movement in the roof translates to a circular interlocking motion which strengthens it.  Reciprocal roofs have no weak points as do rectangular post & beam roofs and buildings\, in their corners.  We will plaster with added protection for strong horizontal rains (in the rainy season) and always using only natural ingredients of course! \n  \n\n \nProud Tennessee Cob students (September 2023) taking a much-deserved rest in week 5! \n\n  \nOur international workshops are always a beautiful life-changing and transformational experience as both the local and non-local students come together to build a small “house” in 5 weeks.  Often the language and cultural differences at the start create the initial curiosities and desire to connect in other ways\, and by week 2 the salsa dancing\, singing\, movement\, and other personal activities at morning circle deepen the new bond and unite yet another Cob family at the heart level\, sustained by and sustaining the physical work of building and creating for a common goal. \nWhile the workshop will be taught primarily in English\, if we have students that don’t speak English\, we will be prepared to offer the teaching materials in both languages and support the Spanish-speaking students with simultaneous translation. \n  \nOUR HOSTS \nWe are your Hosts\, Naldo and Alexa\, and the caretakers of this precious land. We have been creating this homestead from the jungle for 7 years. “Finca Remedio is off-grid and off-road; we use solar power\, gravity-fed fresh spring water and compost toilets. We have planted over 500 fruit trees in our dense forest\, with the emphasis on cacao. \n\n\nNaldo was born and raised in Puerto Rico near San Juan and is 38 years old. He went to California for college and met Alexa in Humboldt\, Northern California. Naldo is very passionate about all things musical\, he specializes in latin percussion\, playing congas\, bongos\, timbales\, clave etc. and has more \n  \n\n \nNaldo and a friend Alexandra jammin’ Boricua-style! \n\n  \nrecently learned how to read music\, play piano\, bass\, harmonium\, DJ and is experimenting making electronic music. He is also interested in the healing arts with plant medicines and massage. He hosts men’s gatherings on our farm a few times a year. \n\nAlexa was born in Southern California and is 35 years old. After college she travelled the world for 5 years as a backpacker\, volunteer\, artisan\, rainbow triber\, etc. until she met Naldo and they embarked on their journey together 9 years ago. Now Alexa is a dedicated homesteader learning all kinds of sustainability practices and DIY skills with farm harvests. She is also very\n\n\n \nYoga Retreat! \n\n  \ninterested in the healing arts\, medicine making and healing modalities\, especially Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is happiest when singing. Alexa will be the main cook for the workshop. Naldo and Alexa are both devotees of Amma\, the hugging mother and living Saint from Kerala. Amma is the guiding inspiration of Finca Remedio as we strive to provide a healing space for those seeking to elevate consciousness. The name Finca Remedio or Remedy farm symbolizes this intention of being medicine\, the medicine of nature\, community and spirit. Remedio – returning to a balanced medium. \n\n\n  \n  \n  \n\n \nFour-dome newly-painted neon pink superadobe home seen from the garden! \n\n  \nAfter Hurricane María we built a 4- dome Superadobe home with the guidance of our teacher Ayal Bryant and the support of volunteers. We also have 4 dogs (not good if you are afraid of dogs) 2 cats\, 40 laying hens\, and a humble vegetable garden. To sustain ourselves financially we offer community workshops most Sundays on a variety of healing arts\, sustainability practices and artistic expressions. We also sell value-added products made from farm harvests like medicines\, jams\, hot sauces etc. and rent out a glamping deck on Airbnb. We are just two souls trying to grow and serve as much as we can in this human experience. You can see our project at fincaremedio.com as well as on FB and IG at Finca Remedio. \n  \nWe live in an epically beautiful area with endless river spots\, including our magical river\, Cañon Blanco and los Morrones. Utuado is also home to one of the highest peaks on the island for adventurous hikers and the Caguana ceremonial park for those interested in prehispanic history. \nOur farm is a deep nature experience in the steep mountains of the central mountain range. It is a very humid tropical rainforest and rains most days of the year. In January & February the weather is perfect\, with cool nights and comfortable days ranging from 65-85 F. Usually it rains less this time of year but it will still rain. We recommend being rain-ready with rubber farm boots\, rain jacket\, tarp for hanging over your tent\, rain jacket\, umbrella\, hat\, long pants and long sleeves with quick-drying fabric.  Also you should bring a swimsuit\, quick-dry towels\, head lamp\, sleeping bag etc. We can do a quick trip to the local hardware store for students who want to buy boots\, tarps\, ropes etc. \nStudents will be camping on our land\, where we have flat spots for tents not far from the communal kitchen deck and build site\, the compost toilets and cold showers. We are blessed to have lots of clean water. Our farm is bordered by two creeks and a crystalline river\, Rio Pellejas\, which has epic swimming holes and waterfalls for the adventurous hikers (300 steps down a steep slope). Fortunately our forest is a balanced ecosystem and mosquitoes are not a big problem\, \n  \n\n \nOur home-grown cacao beans for making chocolate! \n\n  \nand you won/t even notice them if you wear pants. This is a very friendly jungle and there are no dangerous spiders or snakes. Our farm is relatively isolated\, we have no close by neighbors and the town of Utuado is a 10-minute drive away. We are 40 mins from the town and beaches of Arecibo\, 50 minutes from the town of Ponce\, and 1h20mins from San Juan. You can see Finca Remedio on Google Maps. If you want to travel the island on the weekends we recommend renting a car or hitchhiking.  There is very limited public transportation in Puerto Rico and now Uber is beginning to serve more areas\, including ours.  We do have WIFI and most cell phone carriers have good service in our zone. \n  \n\n\n\n\nEcstatic Dance celebration with DJ Naldo!\n\n\n\nThe glamourous glamping deck\n\n\n\nAlexa and Naldo with Shanti\, Rama\, Oxun and Laksmi!\n\n\n\nSuperadobe living room!\n\n\n\nCommunal kitchen nook for guests\n\n\n\nSuperadobe living room\n\n\n\nhome-grown chocloates!\n\n\n\nCommunal kitchen deck\n\n\n\nSauerkraut fermentation workshop\n\n\n\nAltar to Amma\, the hugging Saint\n\n\n\nAt Sardinera beach 45 minutes away\n\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT \nWe will be building a 14m2/150ft2 round cob bungalow/cottage for Alexa and Naldo’s Finca that will serve as an additional dry structure on our very wet land. It might be used for receiving friends\, family\, volunteers\, giving massages\, as a music studio and probably will be rented out during the high tourist season to generate income for our project. This will be their 2nd natural building and first Cob building. Their existing home is a Superadobe structure with 4 domed areas that was built over 3 months with many volunteers.  Students in this Advanced Cobber Certification training will\, as always\, learn all the steps to building a complete cob building from scratch: digging the trench and building a stone foundation and pouring the floor in week 1\, building the monolithic cob wall with all its detailed insertions in weeks 2 & 3\, sculpting the wall in week 3\, plastering in week 4\, building the completed roof in weeks 4 & 5 and finally finishing and oiling the wall on the last day of week 5. \n  \n  \n  \nDETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\n \nTennessee Beauty built by 12 newly-certified Cobbers and led by Josh Burg and Sara Crippen in September 2023 \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Monday\, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by Instructors Claudine Désirée and Josh Burg.  Monday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!! \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:30 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin \n  \n\n \nAdding stones to the wall for filler and more thermal mass! \n\n  \nbuilding again right after the rest time. After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner (served from 7pm to 8pm)\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming\, walking and just relax. \n  \n\n \nThe final wall beautification before plastering! \n\n  \nThere is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\,videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are mostly free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Mondays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle\, where we do a deeper sharing and listening to attend to the inner worlds of our students and staff during this intense experience. \n  \n\n \nOutrageously-decorated kitchen counter window! Who would wanna leave the sink??? \n\n  \nOn weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, with Instructor approval.  Weekend meals are provided by students who can use the kitchen.  Hosts will take students to Utuado to buy food for the weekend. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 10m2-15m2 (depending on number of students) curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as
described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical Housing & Plumbing preparation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food
 needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30-1:00 Class \n1:00-2:30 Lunch \n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s) \n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\,
slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography\, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical housing and outlet/switch boxes (when applicable)*\ninsert PVC pipe for plumbing in walls (when applicable)*\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (1 layer)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding reciprocal roof frame\nputting on sheathing and other elements (if applicable)\ninstalling metal roof covering\nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code (Appendix AU in the IRC)\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n*While the insertion of electrical housing and one or more outlet/switch boxes and PVC pipes to hold plumbing are always included in the workshops\, the simplicity or complexity depends on the host’s design and preferences. There will be no electrical wiring or plumbing pipes installed during workshop. That is beyond the focus of this course and requires professional experience and certification/licensing. \n  \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves (for stone work)\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\nLevel (2ft)\nHammer (if possible)\nJapanese plastering trowels (email:goldhillclayplaster@gmail.com)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nWood Chisel\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSafety Glasses\nCarpenter Pencil & Sharpener\nSample of your Soil (optional) \n  \n***VERY IMPORTANT*** \n  \n\n \nWeeks 2 & 3….COOOOOB every day till you can do a mix in under 10 minutes! \n\n  \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building/learning hours unless ill or have some other significant reason. This is because we design the size of the building
and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \n  \n\n \nBrady the cob sculptor in recovery from a previous life of computer programming! \n\n  \nThat being said\, the workshop intensity also changes from week 1 to week 5. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes
the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second week and part of the third week of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. On Thursday & Friday of week 3\, the workshop takes a turn and slows down and the body can rest as students tap into their creative source now  and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  This is a very special rewarding experience and time of the workshop\, decorating the walls with visual beauty and meaning as expressed by each unique student.  Usually there is an overarching theme decided on by Host(s). \n  \n\n \nSandy’s first Cob Sculpture after Color and Finishing Plaster Work! Now is that satisfying or what??? \n\n  \nPlastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. On day 5 of week 4\, the roof begins.  This part is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, drilling\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the roof\, close the top of the wall\, and tend to finishing touches….the grand finale. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you. However you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that are usually for a
shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller scale project. \n  \n\n \nCooper Green filmed our whole North Carolina workshop to create this YouTube series on building with Cob! Check it out! \n\n  \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” before the workshop begins and any other books they find or listed on our Resources page\, ideally on plastering and reciprocal roof building\, as well as watching our “International Cob Workshop” videos on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, the new educational YouTube series “Building a Mud Home” by Cooper Green\, posted by Natural Buildings and created from our North Carolina workshop footage\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared. Please bring your book(s). \n  \n\n \nChris in the cob zone… \n\n  \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit. If approved before the workshop begins\, we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and sometimes help the building part in less physically
demanding ways if you have physical limitations\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do to support making and building with cob!!!! \n  \n\n \nChillin’ after a hard days’ COB! \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course including meals. Please make sure you share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG in your registration form. Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be
able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which will not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register. Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring playlists\, speaker\, slides\, videos\,
movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \nINSTRUCTORS \nClaudine Désirée \n  \n\n \nClaudine and her best most dependable trustworthy first tool given to her by a carpenter in Santa Cruz\, blessing her journey! \n\n  \nWell here I am back in the Instructor’s seat for a Puerto Rico workshop\, el Caribe\, my Soul. I grew up in NYC on the 22nd floor of the Mayfair Towers building\, next door to John Lennon and Yoko Ono\, and who would ever have thought I would end up being the “International Cob Queen”\, biking around 4 continents for 5 years leading cob workshops where my Heart called me.  And the Carribbean is where my parents took us for every vacation and the culture has been a part of my life since I was little. So…. I was determined to teach in Cuba or Puerto Rico this winter\, and make it happen with great hosts.  Again I will be landing with bike and bike bags and riding up the steep climbs to the Finca Remedio to meet Alexa\, Naldo and their animal family and discover Utuado and the mountains of Puerto Rico as well as their healing land. Adding another workshop to the more than 100 I have taught since 2004 and never getting tired of COB and sharing the passion and joy and love for the act of building with these most natural materials with newbies.  This year has been a significant marker for me in transitioning from Instructor to Trainer of Instructors and what a team we have already! Josh \n  \n\n \nWelcome to my Quinta in São Miguel\, Azores Islands\, Portugal! \n\n  \nBurg will be co-teaching with me and I am so proud of Josh’s determined and swift decision to follow his Heart into the Natural Building world several years ago!  We are so blessed to have him in the Instructor seat! Josh is one of the kindest\, most humble\, talented\, intelligent and dedicated beings I know who can teach a full workshop with patience\, love\, laughter and joy emanating from his Being every day. His passion for Cob oozes out of each of his cells. He is taking these workshops to the next level\, along with our other Instructor Nicolas Pimentel from Chile. \nOf course I will use my skill and love of languages to add the Spanish element to this workshop and so look forward to having another intercultural mutilingual workshop where we will actually be dancing salsa with live music daily for our Morning Circle!  In all my years of leading workshps\, it’s the finest way to start the day! So you better start warmin’ those hips up! Maybe we will even put together a Salsa de Cob and invent some new moves!  Of course focusing on the build the rest of the time:)  Nos vemos en Puerto Rico en 2024! \n  \nJosh Burg \n  \n\n \nAnd another Reciprocal Roof standing proud with The Builder Burg at the helm! \n\n  \nJosh is a natural builder and carpenter\, originally from New Mexico and now living in Portland\, OR\, with a background in conventional construction and DJing large events before he followed his heart’s call into Earthen Building. Growing up in an adobe home in central New Mexico\, earthen architecture has always held a special place in Josh’s soul. A landscaper since the age of 15\, Josh studied Environmental Science at the University of New Mexico\, and was always drawn back to working with his hands as a builder. Years of conventional building convinced him that the way forward is really to look backwards…to our collective heritage as humans creating homes from the natural materials that surround us. As a teaching assistant in 2022\, Josh brought his carpentry experience to help build a community space at CruzinCobGlobal headquarters in the Azores. \n  \n\n \nA moment of chill with the Cob in Tennessee (September 2023) \n\n  \nIn May of 2023\, Josh joined fellow Brazilian Cobber and Instructor Paula Carneiro to co-teach a 5-week full build in North Carolina\, where the 12 students completed a beautiful 175 sq ft Cob Home for hosts Molly and Daniel.  This was Josh’s first Instructor position and it opened him to an even greater passion for teaching and leading these workshops.  He learned alot in this first workshop about teaching and managing within a tight schedule and was able to take this experience to lead the next workshop just three months later with an even greater level of confidence and success.  Assisted by Sara Crippen in Tennessee\, their group of students completed one of the most beautiful and extensive cob bungalows ever finished in a 5-week workshop!  You can see these builds on the Insta pages for “cruzincobglobal” and “theburglr” Merging the worlds of carpentry\, earthen materials\, music\, and clay-therapy\, Josh is excited to reunite with his Cob Sensei for another amazing project in the Puerto Rican jungle. Vamos! \n  \n\n \nJosh and Sara admiring this Cob masterpiece created by their 11 students in just 5 weeks of intensive learning and building! \n\n  \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nWe will serve three meals a day from Monday through Friday and lighter breakfast supplies for students to prepare will be available on Saturday morning for those that will be onsite.  Meals will be vegetarian and locally-based as much as possible\, including farm produce and eggs! \nWe will attend to vegan and gluten-free diets if needed but any other restrictions & allergies that require extensive preparation needs will not be able to be honored. And kitchen will only be accessible on weekends for students. \nCamping is the only accommodations offered at the workshop.  Other possible indoor housing may be available and may require a rental car. Please inquire with Claudine.  Please bring a good tent and lightweight sleeping bag and mat and pillow or camping hammock. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents from outside the island should fly into SJU (San Juan airport).  Hosts can organize group transport to and from the Finca for a fee (1.5 hour drive). Students should arrive on Sunday morning ideally but may arrive on Saturday as well remembering that workshop meals begin on Sunday evening and kitchen will be busy for workshop.  Hosts will organize a ride into town for pre-workshop food supplies for students arriving on Saturday\, who are free to use the communal kitchen. \nAs stated above in “Our Hosts” section\, students wanting to move around freely can share a rental car for the duration of the workshop or just on the weekends. Otherwise there is hitchhiking and Uber and hosts will also offer rides when they go into Utuado or Arecibo. \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \n  \nVery Early Bird Rate: USD$2500\, paid in full by November 21\, 2023 \nEarly Bird Rate: USD$2600\, paid in full by December 21\, 2023 \nStandard Rate:  USD$2700\, paid in full by January 7\, 2023 \nWe are offering 4 work trade positions which give you a $250 discount on either food or tuition for working one hour each weekday supporting the site before breakfast or preparing & putting away breakfast. Two persons for each service.  These are the first options to go. Depending on when you pay in full\, the discount is taken off the appropriate amount. \nPayment can be made using Zelle\, Paypal and  Venmo to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Europeans and other international students can pay in USD using the Wise app/website using same email. \nIf you are a low-income local Puerto Rican resident\, we are offering 5 discounted spots that will require some type of work exchange helpful to the Instructors or Hosts. Please contact claudinedesiree@gmail.com or Whatsapp +1(831) 212-7225 for information. \nTo hold your spot (there are 12 for new students and 3 for returning students)\, you can make a 50% deposit.  The balance owed depends on the date of payment in full. Deadline is Jauary 7th\, 2023. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who have paid and cancel by December 1\, 2023 can get a full refund minus a 5% administrative/inconvenience fee on the amount they have paid. \nStudents who have paid and cancel by January 1\, 2023 will receive a credit for a future workshop within two years minus a 10% administrative/inconvenience fee. \nStudents who have paid and cancel after January 1\, 2023 will not receive a refund or credit unless they have proof of an emergency situation or other reason out of their control.  They will receive a credit for two years minus the 10% admin fee. \n  \nSEE YOU IN THE MUUUUUUD! \n  \n  \n\n \nClaudine and Josh in the Azores in front of Claudine’s first 2-story cob house and the first legal permitted cob building in the Azores Islands of Portugal!!! \n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/cob-bungalow-in-utuado-puerto-rico/
LOCATION:Finca Remedio\, Utuado\, Utuado\, Puerto Rico
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2985.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230917T140000
DTEND;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230924T140000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230626T002604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230626T002604Z
UID:8998-1694959200-1695564000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:A 7-Day Cob Rocket Stove Kitchen Workshop on São Miguel Island (Azores\, Portugal)
DESCRIPTION:Eight students will build a high-efficiency (low fuel consumption and maximum burning efficiency) rocket stove for cooking in the cob cottage that will be completed in the previous workshop.  Rocket stoves were developed for ecological and economic sustainability\, especially targeting the poor countries where access to wood has become harder.  The rocket stove system’s efficiency is due to the thermal insulation together with the double combustion and retro-heating of the airflow producing a longer duration of the heat inside the system and thus less heat loss to the outside.  The enclosed chimney prevents cold air from coming in and directs any smoke to the outside\, though since all the fuel is burned so efficiently\, hardly any smoke or heat leaves the exit chimney\, and is all directed to the cooking.  While rocket stoves can be used for many different functions\, ie air heating\, water heating\, stove\, oven\, smoker\, furniture heating\, floor heating\, etc\, we will focus on channeling the heat for cooking on a stovetop.  Of course a by-product of the cooking heat in the cottage will be air heating. \nMore details at: https://cruzincobglobal.org/events/a-7-day-cob-rocket-stove-kitchen-workshop-in-the-azores-sao-miguel-island/
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/a-7-day-cob-rocket-stove-kitchen-workshop-on-sao-miguel-island-azores-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-QVBCOBKitchen2023.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230901T160000
DTEND;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230910T160000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230626T001928Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230626T002134Z
UID:8995-1693584000-1694361600@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Complete Cob Compost Toilet: A Mini Full-Build Foundation to Roof on São Miguel Island (Azores\, Portugal)
DESCRIPTION:Students will be building a 5m2 cob compost toilet with 2 chambers and oceanview! The structure will be built from foundation to reciprocal green roof including plumbing for bidets\, sculpting and plaster\, as well as instruction on inserting electrical outlets\, switches and housing (the toilet will not have electricity). Students attending this Mini Full-Build will learn almost everything we teach in the 5-week Advanced Cobber Certification Training (minus the cob floor) on a small scale and without inserting electricity.  They will have all the skills to transfer to a larger build. However in order to assist a 5-week workshop they would need to take the longer workshop.  They will still be eligible to build on CCG building projects. \nFor all the details visit: https://cruzincobglobal.org/events/complete-cob-compost-toilet-a-mini-full-build-foundation-to-roof-on-sao-miguel-island-azores-portugal/
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/complete-cob-compost-toilet-a-mini-full-build-foundation-to-roof-on-sao-miguel-island-azores-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-SM-CompostToilet-Flyer-2023.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230827T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20231001T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230106T002911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230716T015655Z
UID:8807-1693123200-1696179600@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:A Complete Cob Bungalow in southern Tennessee (Pulaski\, TN\, USA)
DESCRIPTION:OUR HOSTESS \n  \n  \n\n \nArrrriella trimming the wall in Casais\, September 2022 \n\n  \n\n \nnurse carpenter\, go girl! \n\n  \nWelcome fellow cob enthusiasts! My name is Ariella (the Ar is pronounced like a pirate would say Rrrr ? I’ve always had a dream to help people. I became a nurse at a young age and have had some amazing opportunities to work all over the U.S. in nursing. I love music\, festivals\, dancing\, traveling\, yoga\, friends and family\, fires\, all things nature\, and naps. As my passion for alternative modalities for health have grown\, so has my vision for creating a space for healing\, personal growth\, and authentic sharing. In 2020 my best friend (Pearl) and I bought 28 acres in a small town in Tennessee called Pulaski. My dream has been to build a few small and comforting spaces for people to stay while they reconnect with nature along with their inner truth\, eventually expanding the dream into hosting retreats and workshops. When I learned about earthen homes\, I knew they were just the perfect spaces I had envisioned. Many adventures have ensued with learning about Cob\, the last one being a 35-day workshop in Portugal with CruzinCobGlobal. I learned so much and I absolutely loved the aesthetic and natural feel of cob\, it really called to me. \n  \n\n \nLa casa \n\n  \nThis will be the first cob house built on the property. There is already a brick home on the property a little further from the building site that Pearl and I live in. While you are in Pulaski\, you will have access to my kitchen\, bathroom (shower)\, and living room with plenty of spots to set up a tent outside. There is some flat room at the top of the driveway to bring RV’s and camper vans. Mostly what surrounds us is neighbors with small homes and similar or more acreage. \nThere are deer and cows that love to roam about. Although I have never seen them on the property\, this part of the U.S. does have snakes\, spiders\, mosquitos\, and coyotes. The weather in September is in the process of changing between summer and winter temperatures. Early September will be between high 70’s and low 80’s farenheit and decrease as the month goes on. While it’s rare\, nights could get down into the high 40’s to low 50’s\, so warm clothes are recommended. \n  \nLOCATION \n  \nThe workshop site will be on my and Pearl’s land we call Fairy Forest! The town of Pulaski is about 15 minutes away.  A gas station\, two restaurants\, and a motel are 3 miles away and take about 5 minutes to get to from the property by car.  In the town are some cute shops\, restaurants\, and a small grocery store. There is a Walmart and home Depot 20 minutes from the building site (5 more minutes down the road from the town.) \nPulaski is exactly in the middle of Nashville\, TN and Huntsville\, AL. The most cost effective airport is BNA in Nashville. Nashville is one hour north of Pulaski and is known as music city. Nashville has many museums\, bars\, restaurants\, shows\, and attractions. I grew up in Huntsville which is an hour south of Pulaski (also has an airport but usually more expensive). Huntsville was voted the best place to live in 2022 by the US News & World Report. Some of that can be attributed to the Marshall Space center\, a vibrant growing art scene\, and Monte Sano (lots of hiking and biking there). \nThere is Tim’s Ford which has some camping\, hiking\, and swimming about an hour away in a different direction from the property. I would love to explore some places in the area that I haven’t seen yet and could arrange some day trips. If you are looking to help build the first cob house on this property\, I know it will be nothing short of an exciting adventure with the satisfaction of seeing a project to completion. I am very excited to welcome each and everyone of you to my home and looking forward to all of the experiences and growing that only cob can bring. See you soon! \n  \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT \n  \nStudents will be building a 10-15m2 cob cottage (size depends on number of students) for Ariella as a guest space/studio on her land. \nThe cottage will be built from foundation to reciprocal green roof including floor\, sculpting and plaster\, as well as electrical outlets\, switches and housing and plumbing connection. Students will receive an Advanced Cobber Certification for the 5-week training workshop. \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\n\n \nSifting for plaster mix \n\n  \n\n\nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of  learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by the Instructors Krystal Alexander and Merle Jahn. \n\n\n \nOur host Ariella (on the right) at her first cob workshop in Portugal! \n\n  \n\n\n  \nMonday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!!\nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again after the rest time.  After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming if possible\, and just relax. There is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Mondays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle.Weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, with Instructor approval. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 10m2-15m2 (depending on number of students) curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical & Plumbing installation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n8:00-8:45 Breakfast\n9:00-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography \, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical wiring and plumbing in walls\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 layers)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding roof frame\nputting on sheathing and other elements\nbuilding green roof \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob\ncode\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\nHammer\nRounded triangular trowel\nLevel\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nWood Chisel\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n  \n***VERY IMPORTANT*** \n  \n\n\n \nClosing the reciprocal roof\, Casais 2022 \n\n\nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building/learning hours unless ill or have some other significant reason. This is because we design the size of the building and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance\nwith the number of students and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \n  \n\n \nCasais\, Portugal 2022 “ahhh\, plaster bliss” \n\n  \n\n \nTeacher Lea leading the plaster mix instruction \n\n  \nThat being said\, the workshop intensity also changes from week 1 to week 5. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second and third weeks of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. The\nfourth week finally slows down and the body can rest as students tap into their creative source and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc. Plastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. In the fifth week\, the roof is the beginning of a change of pace from the\nearthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, drilliing\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the green roof and the second floor coat and closing of the wall\, the grand finale on the last day.For students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you.  However you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that are usually for a shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller-scale project. \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” before the workshop begins and any other books they find\, as well as watching our “International Cob Workshop”\nvideos on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared.  Please bring your book(s). \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit.  If approved before the workshop begins\, we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and then help the building part in less physically demanding ways\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do besides making and building with cob!!!! \n  \n\n \nAlways a masterpiece! \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course\nincluding meals. Please share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG as soon as you register.  Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which may not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register.  Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring slides\, videos\, movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \nINSTRUCTORS \n  \n\n\n\n\n\nJOSHUA BURG (Cob Instructor) \n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosh with North Carolina Hosts and co-teacher Paula Carneiro celebrating the end of the build and their new home! \nI am a carpenter and residential remodeler based out of Portland\, OR\, and have been transitioning out of conventional construction and into the world of natural building.  Growing up in an adobe home in central New Mexico\, earthen architecture has always held a special place in my Soul. Years of conventional building have convinced me that the way forward is really to look backwards…to our collective heritage as muddy humans making homes from healthy\, abundant\, earthen materials. As a teaching assistant in 2022\, I brought my carpentry experience to help build a community space at the CruzinCobGlobal \nrelaxing after the completion of another reciprocal roof primary structure… \nHeadquarters in the Azores. \nThen earlier this year\, I joined fellow Brazilian cobber Paula Carneiro to co-teach a 5-week full build workshop in North Carolina\, where we completed a beautiful 175 sq ft “cobbin” for hosts Molly and Daniel\, above.  I am so excited to further my CCG journey in Tennessee\, where I will be the Main Instructor assisted by my student and colleague\, Sara Crippen. Vamos! \n\n\n\n\n\nSARA CRIPPEN (Cob Assistant)\n\n\nhome sweet home… \nI was born and raised in the Great Plains of Iowa\, where my love for the Earth\, building\, tending land\, and connecting with the Divine through movement was first fostered. I grew up working in conventional construction and landscaping with my family.  In 2012 I had the opportunity to be a natural building apprentice with The Possibility Alliance in NE Missouri. Having seen the\nfirst-hand effects of conventional construction\, from irresponsible resource extraction to health problems of families living in those dwellings\, I recognized the infinite possibilities for freedom and abundance that natural building offers. Over the years I honed my skills while living in the mountains of \nteaching women in Mexico \nsouth-central Mexico by building with strawbale\, light clay straw\, cob ovens\, living roofs\, superadobe\, earthen floors\, lime plasters\, and clay plasters. While there\, I hosted and taught natural building and permaculture workshops for women in Spanish. \nThis year I dove into building a whole cob cottage with CCG and fell in love all over again with Natural\nBuilding\, as well as the community here in the US. Cob embodies all the qualities I hope to foster in my daily life. It is forgiving\, abundant\, cozy\, protective\, purifying\, and flexible\, yet sturdy. Cob creates community and cohesiveness between the land and humanity. I can’t wait to build something beautiful with all of you. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian meals a day Monday through Friday.  There will also be a Welcome Dinner on the first Sunday night\, a Celebration Dinner on the last Saturday night\, and a Goodbye Brunch on Sunday morning after the Closing Circle. \nOn weekends students are on their own for food\, and can travel and explore the area\, go camping or stay onsite. They will have access to the kitchen and any leftovers from the week. Otherwise they will need to get their own food for the weekend and can collaborate to get rides to the food stores in town. \nAll students will be camping onsite for this workshop.  Students who don’t want to camp can find other local accommodations (ask Host for suggestions) but will need to be able to get to the site on time every weekday.  They can also carcamp obviously. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents driving in will receive directions to the workshop site in the Welcome Letter sent a month before the start date.  Nearest airports are Huntsville\, Alabama and Nashville\, TN. More information will be sent regarding transportation from the airports to the site\, unless students share rental cars. There will be one shuttle on Saturday and one on Sunday from Nashville/Huntsville to site\, depending on where students are arriving. \n  \nREGISTRATION \n  \n  \nSuper Chill Bird Rate: $2700\, pay in full by July 30th\, 2023 \nPayment includes tuition\, camping and weekday meals plus first and last dinners and last brunch. \nTo register\, please email claudinedesiree@gmail.com or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. \nEuropeans and others who want to pay in Euros can make a bank transfer to a European account or use Wise to convert into Euros. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the rest due by July 30th at the latest. \nWe always offer four work trade discounts of $250 each for an hour of work each class day.  These positions are filled at this time.   Full payment or 50% deposit to hold your spot with final balance due by July 30th. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who cancel before June 25th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after June 25th\, 2023 and before July 30th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after July 30th will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \n*Work traders who cancel after June 25th will receive a full refund of what they have paid minus $250. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!! \n \n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/a-complete-cob-bungalow-in-southern-tennessee-pulaski-tn-usa/
LOCATION:Fairy Forest\, Pulaski\, TN\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230813T160000
DTEND;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230819T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230106T003650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230401T043758Z
UID:8816-1691942400-1692464400@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Cob Oven & Benches at Quinta das Flores on São Miguel Island\, Azores (Portugal)
DESCRIPTION:OUR HOSTESS \n  \n  \n\n \nClaudine and Ana at the annual Wine Festival on São Miguel\, Azores \n\n  \nAna Henrique is a Portuguese\,  passionate woman living in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in a paradise called Azores. Her formal skills are tourism management and regenerative  agriculture. \nShe lives in Quinta das Flores\, an 8\,600m2 orchard\, located in Ribeira das Tainhas\, a small parish in the Municipality of Vila Franca do Campo\, where she and her young son Francisco\, grow most of their veggies and fruits. At the moment they are introducing more biodiversity and polycultural strategies for more resilience and security on their food production system. Permaculture\, Agroforestry and Biodiversity protection are the main action guides in their garden and life. \n  \n\n \nEndless green Azorean landscape! \n\n  \nHer love for the natural world led her into a great passion for herbs and plants. She is very curious about living food potential to nurture and heal the body and soul. Ana believes in natural\, unpolluted\, authentic food production as a healing instrument for individuals and communities. One of her dreams is to plant a giant Food Forest that can inspire and nurture others\, encouraging them to step forward and embrace Earth Care. Natural soap is also one of her passions\, integrating her paradigm shift of desiring a beautiful and healthy planet. She is passionate about holistic and systemic thinking and believes in the potential of regenerative behaviors\, such as love\, friendship\, companionship and trust. \nAna has been waiting to build her Cob Sanctuary since 2017\, when she first met Claudine while cooking for her first cob workshop in the Azores.  Finally she is READY! \n  \nTHE LOCATION \n  \n \nVila Franca do Campo is the 4th largest town on the island of São Miguel\, the largest  and most diverse of the Azorean islands of Portugal.  It is located in the central section of the island with great access to an offshore islet (see gallery below) for swimming and snorkeling/scuba diving/kayaking\, wonderful hiking in all directions\, hot springs only 20 minutes away in the famous town of Furnas\, and an almost private small black sand beach just a 3 minute walk from Ana’s property\, Quinta das Flores. \n  \n\n \nAmazing vegetable garden! \n\n  \nStudents will have 5 weekends plus before and after the workshop to explore the natural wonderland of São Miguel with a variety of hot springs\, hikes\, restaurants\, surf spots\, biking\, rock climbing\, museums and three incredible botanical gardens!!! \nAna loves to take people around to visit her island and if he isn’t too tired she may borrow her parents’ 9-person van to take students around on the weekend.  Students can also share a rental car (reserve EARLY for good rates and availability)\, use the bus system or rent bikes for the 5 weeks. \n  \n\n \nPermaculture garden \n\n  \nQuinta das Flores is also a wonderful refuge from the world with its endless citrus groves\, permaculture gardens\, flower gardens.  Students will be very fortunate to experience 5 weeks on Ana and her sons’ Quinta in summer with all its abundance and variety of healthy produce…not to mention Ana’s unforgettable meals! Forget about the COB;)!!! \n  \n  \n  \n\n\n\nBeach near Ana’s Quinta\n\n\n\nIslet\n\n\n\nthe islet of Vila Franca\n\n\n\nMini-horses\n\n\n\nVolunteers on the land\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLagoa do Fogo\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVila Franca\n\n\n\nYummies\n\n\n\nview from the land\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT \n  \nUnder the expert guidance of Chilean natural builder and architect Nicolas Pimentel\, students will build a beautiful Cob Oven as a centerpiece for an outdoor eating area with artistic sculpted Cob Benches and\, time permitting\, a work table and wood storage area.  Students will start from the lava stone foundation and end with sculpting and plaster and ideally\, a pizza party! \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n  \n\n \nNew Mexico Outdoor Kitchen Workshop\, 2022 \n\n  \nThe Cob Oven & Benches Workshop consists of 7 days of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Tuesday August 15th\, 2023 between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 7-day Workshop by the Instructor Nicolas Pimentel. \nWednesday morning we begin digging the trenches for the Oven & Benches Foundations and building them!\nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Monday\, Wednesday and Friday there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again after the rest time.  After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming if possible\, and just relax. There is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 1 evening after dinner for showing slides and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. We will have a Council Circle on Friday evening. In the afternoons after class students can go swimming at the nearby beach and kayaking to the islet. \n  \n\n \nPucón\, Chile Outdoor Kitchen with Cob Oven Workshop\, 2019 \n\n  \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Cob Oven & Benches Workshop begins on a Tuesday at 4pm and ends on a Tuesday\, 1 week later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n8:00-8:45 Breakfast\n9:00-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion on Wed or Thurs \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn to make cob and build an oven and benches in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, and design. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trenches\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\nmaking decorations in cob\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat) \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nTwo-foot Level\nRounded triangular trowel\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \n  \nNicolas Pimentel (Cob Instructor) \n\n\n \nNico in his happy place! \n\n  \nI was born and raised in Santiago de Chile and went to Architecture School. At the end of my studies\, I travelled to Portugal to study Arts\, and somehow I learned about natural building and a completely new perspective came to me. I took a CruzinCobGlobal workshop with Claudine in the Azores in 2017\, and my life changed by learning this new technique. \n\nAfter 2 years\, I went back to Santiago to finish Architecture School\, and specialized in BioArchitecture. I continued assisting workshops with Claudine in different places\, while developing my own project. I built my “natural” home in 2020 in Pucón\, south of Chile\, where I am rooted now. I am involved with different projects nowadays\, and have my own architecture studio and also participate in other projects related to nature\, conservation\, arts and tourism. I love to live surrounded by nature\, mountains and good people.\n\n\n\n  \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \n  \n\n \nPizza time! \n\n  \nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian meals a day.  There will also be a Welcome Dinner on Tuesday night\, a Celebration Dinner on Monday night\, and a Goodbye Brunch on Tuesday morning after the Closing Circle. \nStudents will be camping onsite for this workshop in their own tents or can inquire about renting a tent from Ana for 3€/night.  There will also be five indoor mattress spaces in a communal room for 7€/night. All students renting should bring their own sleeping bags. Pillows and blankets can be provided. \nStudents can also stay offsite in local accommodations but should be within easy walking distance.  Check Airbnb. \nMore information will be sent a month out in the Welcome Letter and students are also welcome to contact Ana our host once they are registered. \n  \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nThe arrival airport is PDL (Ponta Delgada) on the island of São Miguel\, Azores\, Portugal.  The airlines that fly there from the US are SATA/Azores Airlines\, TAP\, United and Delta.  From Europe take SATA\, TAP or RyanAir.  There are no ferries to the Azores\, but you are welcome to find a private boat sailing here! Just dont be late for Day 1! \nOnce you arrive at the airport\, or will be in Ponta Delgada before the workshop starts\, we will be organizing a shuttle on Tuesday to bring everyone to the site.  Otherwise there is a public bus or shared taxi.  It is recommended to arrive a day early for the US folks\, to get adjusted to the jet lag and new climate and visit the island before the workshop starts. \n  \nREGISTRATION \n  \nThrifty Bird Rate : 650€\, pay in full by March 15th\, 2023 \nChill Bird Rate: 700€\, pay in full by May 15th\, 2023 \nSuper Chill Bird Rate: 750€\, pay in full by July 15th\, 2023 \nPayment includes tuition\, camping and weekday meals plus first and last dinners and last brunch. \nTo register\, please email claudinedesiree@gmail.com or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. You can also use the Wise app or website for international low-cost transfers. \nEuropean students and others can make a bank transfer or use Wise as well.  Information will be provided. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the rest due by July 15th at the latest. \nWe always offer 2 work trade discounts of 70€ each for an hour of work each class day.  There is one kitchen work trader who prepares breakfast from 6:30-7:30am and one work trader that does site prep from 6:30 to 7:30am. If you want a work trade\, please email or text Claudine (contact info above). These are first come first serve.  Payment should be made in full or 50% deposit to hold your spot with final balance due by July 15th\, 2023.  Note that the work trade discount is applied to the amount that is being paid off in full.  So if you are making your payment in full by the Thirfty Bird date\, it will be deducted form that rate. If you pay in full after the Chill Bird deadline\, then it will be deducted from the Super Chill Bird rate. Please see work trader cancellation policy below. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who cancel before June 15th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after June 15th\, 2023 and before July 15th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after July 15th will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \n*Work traders who cancel after June 15thth will receive a refund of what they have paid minus 70€. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!! \n\n \n\n\n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/cob-oven-benches-at-quinta-das-flores-on-sao-miguel-island-azores-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta das Flores\, Rua Outeiro dos Alamos Brancos\, 14\, Vila Franca do Campo\, São Miguel\, Azores\, Portugal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-VilaFrancaCOBOVEN.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230715T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230723T160000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230508T002227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230508T002607Z
UID:8961-1689422400-1690128000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:First Mini Complete Cob Build in only 9 days!!! A Cob Playhouse for the McCarall Family in Chattanooga\, Tennessee
DESCRIPTION:HOST & LOCATION \n  \n\n\n \nLennie\, Ellie\, Jamie and Sean: a beautiful family! \n\n  \nHello everybody! I am Sean and Jamie (my wife)\, Lennox (3)\, Ellie (4 months) and Alfur (my niece who lives with us) are super excited to host our first cob building adventure. Learning about cob building interests us for multiple reasons. The first being we intend to provide affordable housing for friends\, family\, and travellers in the future. I’ve looked into traditional home building and even on a small scale it costs a small fortune to build. We hope to learn the process and be able to continue to construct small shelters with our family and friends. Second\, I am interested in the eco-friendly nature of cob building seemingly made from more sustainable resources\, requiring less upkeep\, and lasting longer than traditional homes. And lastly the potential for lots of aesthetic appeal. Once we understand the fundamentals I feel as though it can be a truly artistic outlet to creating all different designs in buildings. Something I have not tapped into since I was a child. Having received the “Hand-Sculpted House” as a gift from Claudine who we hosted as she biked through Tennessee (how we met)\, we are now even greater cob aficionados and super excited to build with y’all! \n  \n\n \nTaco Fiesta with the McCarall Family! \n\n  \n\n A little background on us\, we love the outdoors and experiencing new things. In our free time we enjoy  traveling\, meeting new people\, cooking\, biking\, hiking and camping. My wife and I are geologists by trade and spent 10 years in west Texas living out of our motorhome working and saving up. Then we decided to prioritize building a family and moved to Chattanooga\, TN to start that. We now have a VERY funny 2 year old son and an old soul little 6 month daughter who we want to experience some of the cob magic with us too.\n\n\n\n  \nWe are nestled into a home by Raccoon Mtn and only 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. There is plenty of space for everyone whether you would like to stay indoors or out. My wife cooks most of our meals and enjoys changing up cuisine\, while trying to stay healthy so there will always be something good to eat. We look forward to hosting and connecting with everyone and hope you are able to join us on our journey of learning this craft. Expect the weather to be hot (90’s) but with plenty of shade and cool breezes. Bugs are not usually an issue. \n\n\nThe McCarrall Family\n\n\n\n\n \nOur cozy shaded backyard where we will build the playhouse! \n\n\n\n\nMe and the Fam in April\n\n\n\nMy Goodbye Dinner\n\n\n\nJamie n’ Ellie\n\n\n\nTaco Fiesta Dinner!!!\n\n\n\nMom’s happy! Notice Baby Mohawk:)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT \n\n \nA cob cottage and sauna built by a workshop in the Azores \n\n  \nThis is the very first CruzinCobGlobal 9-day Complete Playhouse Build in which students will learn every step of building a cob building on a micro-scale.  From foundation to reciprocal frame roof\, including cob floor and plaster\, sculpting\, electricity and plumbing\, we will build a 30ft2 round playhouse for Lennie and Ellie.  The idea is to give you a taste of what it’s like to build with cob and\, if you are already a builder or super savvy\, you will DEFINITELY be able to transfer this knowledge and experience to building a full-size cottage.  This workshop is ideal for those who are short on time and money for attending our traditional 35-day full build or who want a taster before committing to the extended workshop (we have one happening just 2 hours east in Pulaski\, TN August 27th to October 1 with time to register…https://cruzincobglobal.org/events/complete-cob-bungalow-in-southern-tennessee-pulaski/). \nThis workshop will be easy on the energy as we will build right behind the family’s home in their tree-studded Tennessee backyard\, in the shade\, and as everything will be small-scale\, each step will be completed in about 1/3 of the time of a usual build\, in which there are 25 working days.  The maximum group size will be 8 as opposed to 15 in the longer-term build.  Students will receive a Certificate for a Mini Complete Cob Building Workshop!  Even though this is a Playhouse\, the workshop is strictly for teens and adults as it will still be an intensive training in order to reach our goal! \nPlease be prepared to work hard and have fun doing so\, bring your favorite playlists and comfortable clothing! \n  \n\n \nSuccess! \n\n  \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \nThe Mini Complete Cob Building Workshop consists of 9 days (Saturday 12pm through Sunday 4pm) of  learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics)  to complement the hands-on experience. \n  \n\n \nCabo Verdean student making cob breads \n\n  \nStudents arrive on Saturday morning between 10am and noon to settle in (camping or indoors). The workshop begins with a delicious lunch by Chef Jamie at noon\, followed by our traditional Opening Circle\, a Host Site Orientation\, and an Introduction to the Project by Instructor Krystal Alexander. We will open the hands-on learning by digging the trench and filling it up with the first elements of a foundation on Saturday afternoon. \nA Breakfast buffet will be served from 7:15-8:15am and the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. \n  \n\n \nSifting plaster materials \n\n  \nThere will be a lecture each day from 2:30-3:30\, followed by more construction time.  After class in the afternoon there will be a 60-minute break before dinner at 7:30pm\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, and/or just relax. There is sometimes a student informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be one or more evenings after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer up informal courses in their specialties and passions just for fun. Fire circle\, music\, singing\, dancing…are all part of our workshops!  The last night (Saturday) there will be a Council Circle\, also a CruzinCobGlobal tradition. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Mini Complete Cob Building Workshop begins on a Saturday at noon and ends on a Sunday at 4pm (a week later) with Lunch and a Closing Circle/Graduation.  If necessary due to long-distance travel\, students may arrive on Friday afternoon to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:15-8:15 Breakfast\n8:45-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-6:30 Lecture/Class                                                                                                                                                                                        6:30-7:30 Rest/Yoga\n7:30-8:30 Dinner\n8:30-9:30 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography \, and budgeting. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical wiring and plumbing in walls\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (1 coat)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding roof frame\nputting on sheathing and other elements\nbuilding green roof \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code\ncost analysis \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\nHammer (if u can)\nRounded triangular trowel (5 inches long)\nLevel (2-foot)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nWood Chisel (standard)\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \n  \nKrystal Alexander (Cob Instructor & Builder) \n\n \nKrystal is always joyful when she’s cobbin’! \n\nThe desire to incorporate healthier practices into modern day living has led Krystal to a life of natural building. After years of growing her practice as a Massage and Sound Therapist she was ready to take the next step on her journey of creative and self-sufficient living. As an artist clay has always been her medium of choice\, so once her feet hit the mud she was hooked. From that first workshop with CruzinCobGlobal in 2017\, she has dedicated her time to traveling and learning with others (making lifelong friends around the globe). She has assisted\, instructed and helped to build 6 earthen structures as well as 5 cob pizza ovens! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKrystal is fueled by the passion to spread awareness that living consciously and comfortably is an attainable (and sustainable) reality. She believes that through this hands-on work\, we can unlock our creative potential to share our truth with the world around. When she is not cobbin’ she is running her bodywork practice back home in St. Louis\, MO. One day she plans on settling down with her little family on a plot of land and building earthen structures galore. Krystal is eager to share the healing and empowering benefits of cob and community with all!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian/vegan meals every day.  Animal protein (meat or fish) may be added to some meals if there are non-vegetarians in the group.  Also vegan and gluten-free restrictions can be honored. There will be a Welcome Lunch on the first Saturday\, and a Celebration Lunch on the last Sunday\, followed by our Closing Circle. \nAll students can camp onsite or sleep indoors on various pull-out couches and on the floor. Students can also choose to stay in other local accommodations (ask Host for suggestions) but will need to be able to get to the site on time every day.  They can also carcamp. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents driving in will receive directions to the workshop site in the Welcome Letter sent two weeks before the start date.  Nearest airports are Chattanooga and Nashville\, and also Atlanta. More information will be sent regarding transportation from the airports to the site\, unless students want to share rental cars. \n  \nREGISTRATION \n  \nThe $900 Fee for the workshop includes tuition\, camping and daily meals. \nTo register\, please email claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. \nEuropeans and others who want to pay internationally can use Wise to pay in USD. Pls ask Claudine for more info and an invite with a free first transfer. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the rest due by July 1st at the latest. \nWe will offer 2 work trade discounts of $90 each for an hour of work each class day\, onsite or making breakfast from 6:30-7:30am. Full payment or 50% deposit to hold your spot with final balance due by July 1st. Please see work trader cancellation policy below. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who cancel before June 1st\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel between June 1st\, 2023 and June 15th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after June 15th will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \n*Work traders who cancel after June 15th will receive a full refund of what they have paid minus $90. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!! \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/first-mini-complete-cob-build-in-only-9-days-a-cob-playhouse-for-the-mccarall-family-in-chattanooga-tennessee-2/
LOCATION:Casa Miguel\, 3624 Elder Mtn Rd\, Chattanooga\, TN\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/Chattanooga-Cob-Workshop-Flyer-7.15-7.23.23_Updated-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230709T080000
DTEND;TZID=Atlantic/Azores:20230813T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230106T001135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230326T023929Z
UID:8798-1688889600-1691946000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:A Cob Sanctuary in Vila Franca do Campo\, São Miguel Island\, Azores\, Portugal
DESCRIPTION:OUR HOSTESS\n  \n\n \nClaudine and Ana at the annual Wine Festival on São Miguel\, Azores \n\nAna Henrique is a Portuguese\,  passionate woman living in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in a paradise called Azores. Her formal skills are tourism management and regenerative  agriculture. \nShe lives in Quinta das Flores\, an 8\,600m2 orchard\, located in Ribeira das Tainhas\, a small parish in the Municipality of Vila Franca do Campo\, where she and her young son Francisco\, grow most of their veggies and fruits. At the moment they are introducing more biodiversity and polycultural strategies for more resilience and security on their food production system. Permaculture\, Agroforestry and Biodiversity protection are the main action guides in their garden and life. \n  \n\n \nEndless green Azorean landscape! \n\nHer love for the natural world led her into a great passion for herbs and plants. She is very curious about living food potential to nurture and heal the body and soul. Ana believes in natural\, unpolluted\, authentic food production as a healing instrument for individuals and communities. One of her dreams is to plant a giant Food Forest that can inspire and nurture others\, encouraging them to step forward and embrace Earth Care. Natural soap is also one of her passions\, integrating her paradigm shift of desiring a beautiful and healthy planet. She is passionate about holistic and systemic thinking and believes in the potential of regenerative behaviors\, such as love\, friendship\, companionship and trust. \nAna has been waiting to build her Cob Sanctuary since 2017\, when she first met Claudine while cooking for her first cob workshop in the Azores.  Finally she is READY! \n  \nTHE LOCATION\n \nVila Franca do Campo is the 4th largest town on the island of São Miguel\, the largest  and most diverse of the Azorean islands of Portugal.  It is located in the central section of the island with great access to an offshore islet (see gallery below) for swimming and snorkeling/scuba diving/kayaking\, wonderful hiking in all directions\, hot springs only 20 minutes away in the famous town of Furnas\, and an almost private small black sand beach just a 3 minute walk from Ana’s property\, Quinta das Flores. \n  \n\n \nAmazing vegetable garden! \n\n  \nStudents will have 5 weekends plus before and after the workshop to explore the natural wonderland of São Miguel with a variety of hot springs\, hikes\, restaurants\, surf spots\, biking\, rock climbing\, museums and three incredible botanical gardens!!! \n  \n\n \nSunset oceanview from the Quinta with the islet in the distance \n\n  \nAna loves to take people around to visit her island and if he isn’t too tired she may borrow her parents’ 9-person van to take students around on the weekend.  Students can also share a rental car (reserve EARLY for good rates and availability)\, use the bus system or rent bikes for the 5 weeks. \n  \n\n \nPermaculture garden \n\n  \nQuinta das Flores is also a wonderful refuge from the world with its endless citrus groves\, permaculture gardens\, flower gardens.  Students will be very fortunate to experience 5 weeks on Ana and her sons’ Quinta in summer with all its abundance and variety of healthy produce…not to mention Ana’s unforgettable meals! Forget about the COB;)!!! \n  \n  \n  \n\n\n\nBeach near Ana’s Quinta\n\n\n\nIslet\n\n\n\nthe islet of Vila Franca\n\n\n\nMini-horses\n\n\n\nVolunteers on the land\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLagoa do Fogo\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVila Franca\n\n\n\nYummies\n\n\n\nview from the land\n\n\n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT\n  \nStudents will be building a 10-15m2 cob cottage (size depends on number of students) for Ana’s personal sanctuary\, away from the communal house. \nThe cottage will be built from foundation to reciprocal green roof including floor\, sculpting and plaster\, as well as electrical outlets\, switches\, housing and possibly plumbing connection. Students will receive an Advanced Cobber Certification for the 5-week training workshop. \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION\n  \n\n \nClosing the reciprocal roof in Portugal\, 2022 \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by the Instructors Nicolas Pimentel and Alexandra Evans. \n  \n\n \nDemonstration by teacher Lea Zdarsky in Portugal \n\n  \nMonday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!!\nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again after the rest time.  After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming if possible\, and just relax. There is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Mondays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle.Weekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, with Instructor approval. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 10m2-15m2 (depending on number of students) curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical & Plumbing installation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE\n  \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n8:00-8:45 Breakfast\n9:00-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS\n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography \, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical wiring and plumbing in walls\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 layers)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding roof frame\nputting on sheathing and other elements\nbuilding green roof \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob\ncode\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION\n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nTwo-foot Level\nHammer\nRounded triangular trowel\nBox Cutter\nWood Chisel\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n  \n***VERY IMPORTANT***\n  \n  \n\n \nCob sculptor at work… \n\n  \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building/learning hours unless ill or have some other significant reason. This is because we design the size of the building and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance\nwith the number of students and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \n  \n\n \nCabo Verdeans loves making cob too! \n\n  \nThat being said\, the workshop intensity also changes from week 1 to week 5. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second and third weeks of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. The\nfourth week finally slows down and the body can rest as students tap into their creative source and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc. Plastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. In the fifth week\, the roof is the beginning of a change of pace from the\nearthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, drilliing\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the green roof and the second floor coat and closing of the wall\, the grand finale on the last day. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you.  However you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that are usually for a shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller-scale project. \n  \n\n \nAlmost done! \n\n  \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” before the workshop begins and any other books they find\, as well as watching our “International Cob Workshop”\nvideos on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared.  Please bring your book(s). \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit.  If approved before the workshop begins\, we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and then help the building part in less physically demanding ways\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do besides making and building with cob!!!! \n  \n\n \nAzores\, Portugal 2022 “another job well done!” \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course\nincluding meals. Please share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG as soon as you register.  Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which may not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register.  Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring slides\, videos\, movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \nINSTRUCTORS\nNicolas Pimentel (Cob Instructor)\n\n\n \nNico in his happy place! \n\n  \nI was born and raised in Santiago de Chile and went to Architecture School. At the end of my studies\, I travelled to Portugal to study Arts\, and somehow I learned about natural building and a completely new perspective came to me. I took a CruzinCobGlobal workshop with Claudine in the Azores in 2017\, and my life changed by learning this new technique. \n\nAfter 2 years\, I went back to Santiago to finish Architecture School\, and specialized in BioArchitecture. I continued assisting workshops with Claudine in different places\, while developing my own project (@piwaarq and @tierramigo). I built my “natural” home in 2020 in Pucón\, south of Chile\, where I am rooted now. I am involved with different projects nowadays\, and have my own architecture studio and also participate in other projects related to nature\, conservation\, arts and tourism. I love to live surrounded by nature\, mountains and good people.\n  \nAlexandra Evans (Cob Assistant)\nBorn in England and having spent most of my life in Germany\, I am a lifelong dancer and mover\, having lived and studied in South Africa and Europe. I developed my own business called Naturtanz\, in which I take people out into Nature to dance and feel free in their bodily expression.  I also developed therapeutic dance programs for children and have two sons of my own\, 7 and 11\, who live with me part-time in Germany. \n  \n\n \nthe focused artist \n\n  \nI fell in love with the idea of building my own Cob house and took my first cob workshop in Portugal this past summer in trade for teaching a Sensuality Retreat at Claudine’s Quinta da Vida Beleza Ecovillage in the Azores.  What a great deal! And boy did I learn about sensuality playing in the mud all day!  Ultimately I became so empowered from this experience\, knowing I could build my own beautiful natural house with my own hands and simple tools!  I can’t wait to assist Nico and return back to the Azores  and start building again! \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS\nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian meals a day Monday through Friday.  There will also be a Welcome Dinner on the first Sunday night\, a Celebration Dinner on the last Saturday night\, and a Goodbye Brunch on Sunday morning after the Closing Circle. \nOn weekends students are on their own for food\, and can travel and explore the area\, go camping or stay onsite. They will have access to the kitchen and any leftovers from the week. Otherwise they will need to get their own food for the weekend and can collaborate to get rides to the food stores in town. \nStudents will be camping onsite for this workshop\, in their own tents and with a few tents with pads and pillows available for 3€/night.  There will also be 5 indoor spaces to rent for 7€/night (245€/35 nights) on mattresses on the ground with pillow provided. Students must provide their own sleeping bags. Decathlon on the island has sleeping bags. \nStudents can also stay offsite in local accommodations but should be within easy walking distance.  Check Airbnb. \nMore information will be sent a month out in the Welcome Letter and students are also welcome to contact Ana our host once they are registered. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION\n  \nThe arrival airport is PDL (Ponta Delgada) on the island of São Miguel\, Azores\, Portugal.  The airlines that fly there from the US are SATA/Azores Airlines\, TAP\, United and Delta.  From Europe take SATA\, TAP or RyanAir.  There are no ferries to the Azores\, but you are welcome to find a private boat sailing here! Just dont be late for Day 1! \nOnce you arrive at the airport\, or will be in Ponta Delgada before the workshop starts\, we will be organizing a few shuttles on Saturday and Sunday to bring everyone to the site.  Otherwise there is a public bus or shared taxi.  It is recommended to arrive a few days early for the US folks\, to get adjusted to the jet lag and new climate and visit the island before the workshop starts. \n  \nREGISTRATION\n  \nThrifty Bird Rate : 2350€\, pay in full by February 12th\, 2023 \nChill Bird Rate: 2450€\, pay in full by April 9th\, 2023 \nSuper Chill Bird Rate: 2550€\, pay in full by June 11th\, 2023 \nPayment includes tuition\, camping and weekday meals plus first and last dinners and last brunch. \nTo register\, please email claudinedesiree@gmail.com or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. You can also use the Wise app or website for international low-cost transfers. \nEuropean students and others can make a bank transfer or use Wise as well.  Information will be provided. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the rest due by June 11th at the latest. \nWe always offer four work trade discounts of 250€ each for an hour of work each class day.  There are two kitchen work traders who prepare breakfast from 6:30-7:30am and two work traders that do site prep from 6:30 to 7:30am. If you want a work trade\, please email or text Claudine (contact info above). These are first come first serve.  Payment should be made in full or 50% deposit to hold your spot with final balance due by June 11th\, 2023.  Note that the work trade discount is applied to the amount that is being paid off in full.  So if you are making your payment in full by the Thirfty Bird date\, it will be deducted form that rate. If you pay in full after the Chill Bird deadline\, then it will be deducted from the Super Chill Bird rate. Please see work trader cancellation policy below. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY\n  \nStudents who cancel before May 14th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after May 14th\, 2023 and before June 11th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after June 11th will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \n*Work traders who cancel after May 14th will receive a refund of what they have paid minus 250€. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/a-cob-sanctuary-in-vila-franca-do-campo-sao-miguel-island-azores-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta das Flores\, Rua Outeiro dos Alamos Brancos\, 14\, Vila Franca do Campo\, São Miguel\, Azores\, Portugal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCGVilaFrancaCOB2023.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230611T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230618T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230106T003335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230106T003335Z
UID:8811-1686470400-1687107600@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Cob Rocket-Heated Cook Stove in North Carolina (Murphy\, NC\, USA)
DESCRIPTION:OUR HOSTS \n\n \nDaniel & Molly at Buck Bald Sunset \n\nMolly and Daniel will be the hosts of our workshop\, a lovely young couple starting a new life sharing Earthsong Regenerative Farm\, a 40-acre homestead in beautiful rural southwestern North Carolina\, with Molly’s parents and godmother since August 2021. Murphy lies between the Nantahala and Chattahoochee Oconee National Forests\, a couple of hours from Atlanta\, Asheville\, Chattanooga and Knoxville.  It is the county seat of Cherokee County and at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Valley rivers.  \nOver the last two years\, they have fallen in love with the lush forests\, rolling green hills\, red clay soil\, abundant fresh water\, and loving people of the Appalachian mountains. Molly is a\npassionate zero waste activist\, visual and performing artist\, and permaculture\npractitioner. Daniel is a newly trained massage therapist\, Waldorf teacher\, and has a\nreal soft spot \n  \n\n \nThe Barn \n\nfor animals of all kinds. Along with Molly’s parents\, Mary and Peter\, the two have steadily improved the land’s infrastructure over the past two years\, building a community building with kitchen\, bathroom\, and living room\, putting in a well\, creating mixed perennial/annual gardens\, and building platforms for wall tents. They envision a robust mixture of fruit orchards\, gardens\, cob dwellings\, farm animals\, communal spaces\, and outdoor kitchens manifesting within the next 5 years.  Their dream is to build their farm into a communal hub for sustainability\, spirituality\, and arts education. \n  \n\n \nMary\, Molly\, Daniel and Peter \n\n  \nDaniel and Molly are so excited to be receiving the gift of a cob home through this workshop\, having fallen in love with the beauty of cob structures many years ago. Molly and Daniel have lived in a wall tent since moving to NC\, so this project will provide them with an insulated\, sturdy dwelling for the first time since 2021. \n  \n  \nTHE LOCATION \n\n \nsunset over the barn \n\nEarthsong Regenerative Farm is located at the end of a dirt road in the Great Smoky Mountains of southwestern North Carolina. The land is very peaceful and quiet – you will be lulled to sleep by the songs of the cicadas and peepers. It is a lovely mixture of forest and open pasture with many creeks and springs flowing throughout\, and an eight-stall horse barn at its center. There are walking paths throughout the forest that provide endless enjoyment and solitude for the walker. This area of the Appalachian Mountains is one of the most biodiverse in North America. The array of different insects\, birds\, flowers\, and animals on the Farm is a constant joy to behold! From early May to late June\, the fireflies fill the evening air with dancing\, twinkling lights\, just like a fairy ball. \n  \n\n \nforest in bloom \n\nThe Farm is 20 minutes from the town of Copperhill\, TN\, where there are restaurants on the river\, a coffee shop\, craft breweries\, and assorted gift stores. The farm is 40 minutes from the larger towns of Murphy\, NC\, Blue Ridge\, GA\, and Blairsville\, GA\, all of which offer grocery stores\, cafes\, shops\, high quality restaurants\, and craft breweries. The nationally renowned John C. Campbell Folk School is located in Murphy\, NC\, and offers a robust curriculum of traditional arts and crafts courses as well as free community events throughout each week: live music\, contra dancing\, communal singing\, etc. There is an abundance of nature hikes and swimming spots in the area. \nMolly and Daniel’s favorites are Cherokee Lake\, a huge lake where on almost any day of the weekend you will find no other swimmers\, and Turtle Creek Falls\, a beautiful hike through the forest that visits two large waterfalls\, both of which have swimming holes at their bases. There are also many places to swim along the nearby Ocoee River\, and a stunning overlook called Buck Bald where you can go to take in a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains at sunset or sunrise. \n  \n\n\n\nMurphy\, NC\n\n\n\n\n\n\nour lovely hosts\n\n\n\nthe great barn\n\n\n\n\n\n\nbarn and main pasture\n\n\n\nswallowtail butterfly\n\n\n\nour hosts\n\n\n\nforest in bloom\n\n\n\nturtletown creek falls\n\n\n\npond and permaculture garden\n\n\n\n\n\n\napple trees in bloom\n\n\n\nmain pasture\n\n\n\nspring wildflowers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nTHE PROJECT \n  \n \nBeautiful All-Natural Earthen Rocket Stove with a silky smooth Finish in Brazil \n\n  \n \nCob Rocket Stove Workshop participants in Brazil\, 2020 \n\n  \nSix students will build a high-efficiency (low fuel consumption and maximum burning efficiency) rocket stove for cooking in the cob cottage that will be completed in the previous workshop.  Rocket stoves were developed for ecological and economic sustainability\, especially targeting the poor countries where access to wood has become harder.  The rocket stove system’s efficiency is due to the thermal insulation together with the double combustion and retro-heating of the airflow producing a longer duration of the heat inside the system and thus less heat loss to the outside.  The enclosed chimney prevents cold air from coming in and directs any smoke to the outside\, though since all the fuel is burned so efficiently\, hardly any smoke or heat leaves the exit chimney\, and is all directed to the cooking.  While rocket stoves can be used for many different functions\, ie air heating\, water heating\, stove\, oven\, smoker\, furniture heating\, floor heating\, etc\, we will focus on channeling the heat for cooking on a stovetop.  Of course a by-product of the cooking heat in the cottage will be air heating. \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \nThis 7-day Rocket Stove workshop consists of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) after lunch/rest time to complement and support the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the Workshop by Instructor  Paula Carneiro. \n  \n \nPaula’s Cob Rocket Stove Workshop in Minas Gerias\, Brazil\, 2021 \n\n  \nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 a and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins\, with a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time.  After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming if possible\, and just relax. There is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be one or more evenings for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. \nThis 7-day workshop will be structured with lectures and hands-on building. \nThe lectures will include: \n-Hot air physics \n-Rocket Stove design\, structure\, proportions\, materials \n-Use of Heat \n-Thermal Insulation \n-Multifunctionality \n  \nHands-on work will include: \n-foundation \n-cob structure \n-preparation of refractory mortar \n-installation of refractory bricks \n-thermal insulation layers \n-installation of iron parts (plate\, cookers\, door) \n-chimney and pipe installation \n-earthen plaster \n  \nWEEK SCHEDULE & COURSE CONTENTS \n  \nDay 1 \nFoundation\nAsh chamber construction\nConstruction of the first chamber (combustion)\nConstruction of stove walls \n  \nDay 2 \nConstruction of the second chamber\nContinuation of the walls\nFiller for thermal insulation\nBeginning of the third chamber \n  \nDay 3 \nContinuation of the walls\nConstruction of the fourth chamber (furnace) \n  \nDay 4 \nInstallation of iron parts\nFinishing the walls\nStove closure (slab)\nChimney installation \n  \nDay 5 \nSculpting\, Decoration\, Mosaics \n  \nDay 6 \nPlaster & Finishes \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Rocket Stove Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n8:00-8:45 Breakfast\n9:00-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once or twice) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nLevel\nTriangular trowel\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \nPaula Carneiro (Moçabarro\, Brazil) \n  \n \nalways smiling! \n\n  \nI was born in Campo Grande\, raised in Curitiba and Salvador\, and now I live in the countryside in the mountains of Mantiqueira\, Minas Gerais\, Brasil\, where I’m eco building my own house. I’m also a professional dancer\, graduated from Bahia Federal University in 2012\, and have worked with performing and visual arts\, cinema and cultural centre management. Meeting Claudine and cob building in 2018 simply transformed my life. I started a natural building business after my first advanced cob workshop with CruzinCobGlobal in Guatapé\, Colombia. I continued learning with a full build workshop in Colorado\, later that year. In the beginning of 2019\, I joined with Naiana Maximo and Priscila Bogéa to create the first female eco-building collective in Brazil called Moçabarro (Clay Gals is a translation we love!). We began teaching cob workshops and expanded to other natural building techniques and finishings. In our very first year of work we had the opportunity to build a full 100m2 house (@terra.333) using a variety of earthen building processes in this very successful project. Since then we have been working collectively on eco-refurbishing\, rocket stoves\, cob ovens\, cob furnishings\, tadelakt\, plastering and other finishings. We have also taught short-length workshops at my building site as well as for other hosts in Brasil. Cob building is now a way I find to express gestures and print them on earth. Here is the link to our successful all-women cob business: www.mocabarro.com.br\n@mocabarro on Instagram and Facebook \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian meals a day Monday through Friday.  There will also be a Welcome Dinner on the first Sunday night\, a Celebration Dinner on the last Saturday night\, and a Goodbye Brunch on Sunday morning after the Closing Circle. \nAll students will be camping onsite for this workshop.  Students who don’t want to camp can find other local accommodations (ask Host for suggestions) but will need to be able to get to the site on time every weekday.  They can also carcamp obviously. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents driving in will receive directions to the workshop site in the Welcome Letter sent a month before the start date.  Nearest airports are Atlanta\, Chatanooga and Knoxville. More information will be sent regarding transportation from the airports to the site\, unless students share rental cars.  There are shuttle buses that can be shared with other students\, info will be sent in Welcome Letter. \n  \nREGISTRATION \n  \nThrifty Bird Rate :$650\, pay in full by February 19th\, 2023 \nChill Bird Rate: $700\, pay in full by April 16th\, 2023 \nSuper Chill Bird Rate: $750 pay in full by May 21st\, 2023 \nPayment includes tuition\, camping and weekday meals plus first and last dinners and last brunch. \nTo register\, please email claudinedesiree@gmail.com or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the final balance due by May 21st at the latest. \nWe will offer 2 work trade discounts of $70 each for an hour of work each class day in the kitchen or onsite.  The kitchen work trader will prepare breakfast from 6:30-7:30am and site work trader will do site prep from 6:30 to 7:30am.  If you want a work trade\, please email or text Claudine (contact info above). These are first come first serve.  Note that the work trade discount is applied to the amount that is being paid off in full.  So if you are making your payment in full by the Thirfty Bird date\, it will be deducted form that rate. If you pay in full after the Chill Bird deadline\, then it will be deducted from the Super Chill Bird rate. To hold a work trade please pay in full or with a 50% deposit. Please see work trader cancellation policy below. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who cancel before April 16th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years (no admin fee deducted). \nStudents who cancel after April 16th\, 2023 and before May 21st\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years (no admin fee). \nStudents who cancel after May 21st will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \nWork traders who cancel after April 16th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus the $70 discount. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!! \n \n  \n\n  \n\n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/cob-rocket-heated-cook-stove-in-north-carolina-murphy-nc-usa/
LOCATION:Earthsong Regenerative Farm\, Murphy\, NC\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-NorthCarolinaCOB2023jpg.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230507T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230611T173000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20221217T035653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230106T003417Z
UID:8780-1683446400-1686504600@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Whole Cob Cottage Foundation to Roof in North Carolina\, USA
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \nStudents will be building a 10-15m2 cob cottage (size depends on number of students) for the couple as their first “home” on the land\, which will be outfitted by a rocket heater in a second complementary workshop right after the cob building workshop. \nThe cottage will be built from foundation to reciprocal green roof including floor\, sculpting and plaster\, as well as electrical outlets\, switches and housing and plumbing connection. Students will receive an Advanced Cobber Certification for the 5-week training workshop. \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \n\n \nAzores\, Portugal 2022 “plaster complete” \n\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days (Monday through Friday) of learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics) on most Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays afternoons to complement the hands-on experience. \nStudents arrive on Sunday between noon and 2pm and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with the Opening Circle followed by a Host Site Orientation and Introduction to the Project. Dinner is served at 6pm\, and will be followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by the Instructors Josh Burg and Paula Carneiro. \n  \n\n \nCasais\, Portugal 2022 “on cloud 9” \n\n  \nMonday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!!\nFollowing Breakfast from 7:30-8:15am\, the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction time. Tuesdays and Thursdays students begin building again after the rest time.  After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, go swimming if possible\, and just relax. There is sometimes a work trade student officially or informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student\npreference). There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. Mondays are reserved for our weekly Council Circle.\nWeekends students are free to explore the area\, rest onsite\, and even continue building\, with Instructor approval. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 10m2-15m2 (depending on number of students) curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as described in the “Project” section. Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical & Plumbing installation)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on a Sunday at 4pm and ends on a Sunday\, 5 weeks later\, after the morning Closing Circle & Brunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n8:00-8:45 Breakfast\n9:00-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class (Lecture on MWF’s)\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography \, budgeting\, business options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical wiring and plumbing in walls\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 layers)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding roof frame\nputting on sheathing and other elements\nbuilding green roof \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob\ncode\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for demanding physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)                                                                                                     Level(2ft)\nWood Chisel\nTrowel (triangular rounded)\nHammer (if possible)\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n***VERY IMPORTANT*** \n  \n\n \nCasais\, Portugal 2022 “hardcore roofers” \n\n  \nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building/learning hours unless ill or have some other significant reason. This is because we design the size of the building and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance\nwith the number of students and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \n  \n\n \nCasais\, Portugal 2022 “ahhh\, plaster bliss” \n\n  \nThat being said\, the workshop intensity also changes from week 1 to week 5. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second and third weeks of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. The\nfourth week finally slows down and the body can rest as students tap into their creative source and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc. Plastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable more lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. In the fifth week\, the roof is the beginning of a change of pace from the\nearthen building work to carpentry skills\, power tools\, drilliing\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the green roof and the second floor coat and closing of the wall\, the grand finale on the last day. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you.  However you can find a more suitable workshop online with other organizations that are usually for a shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, a compost toilet or some other smaller-scale project. \n  \n\n \nCasais\, Portugal 2022 “the gold” \n\n  \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” before the workshop begins and any other books they find\, as well as watching our “International Cob Workshop”\nvideos on Claudine’s YouTube channel\, and the ones posted on CruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery\, to get an idea of what is expected. Also it is a great idea to watch as many other videos on cob and reciprocal roofs as you can to come mentally prepared.  Please bring your book(s). \nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know when registering so we can make sure the workshop is a good fit.  If approved before the workshop begins\, we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and then help the building part in less physically demanding ways\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do besides making and building with cob!!!! \n  \n\n \nAzores\, Portugal 2022 “another job well done!” \n\n  \nFinally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course\nincluding meals. Please share your dietary restrictions/allergies with CCG as soon as you register.  Note that very demanding dietary needs will not be able to be met (vegan & non-gluten ok) and those students may be recommended not to participate unless they are willing to meet their special needs on their own\, which may not include kitchen access on weekdays. Please discuss with Claudine at time of desire to register.  Also please bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring slides\, videos\, movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \nWe look forward to opening you to a whole new world of experience\, skill\, growth and transformation as you bond with your new COB family for life! \n  \nINSTRUCTORS \n  \nJosh Burg \n\n \nAlways a smile! \n\n  \nJosh is a carpenter and residential remodeler based out of Portland\, OR\, who has been transitioning out of conventional construction into the world of natural building after two workshops with CruzinCobGlobal. Growing up in an adobe home in central New Mexico\,\nearthen architecture has always held a special place in Josh’s soul. Years of conventional building have convinced him that the way forward is really to look backwards…to our collective heritage as humans making homes from natural materials. As a teaching assistant\, Josh brought his carpentry experience to help build a community space at Quinta da Vida Beleza in the Azores\, and is currently designing a high school humanities class based partly around natural building with students in an alternative charter school. He can’t wait for another exciting experience with CCG as a co-teacher with Paula\, who he met on their first build in 2018. Vamos! \n  \nPaula Carneiro (Moçabarro\, Brazil) \n\n \nAlways a smile too! \n\n  \nI was born in Campo Grande\, raised in Curitiba and Salvador\, and now I live in the countryside in the mountains of Mantiqueira\, Minas Gerais\, Brasil\, where I’m eco building my own house. I’m also a professional dancer\, graduated from Bahia Federal University in 2012\, and have worked with performing and visual arts\, cinema and cultural centre management. Meeting Claudine and cob building in 2018 simply transformed my life. I started a natural building business after my first advanced cob workshop with CruzinCobGlobal in Guatapé\, Colombia. I continued learning with a full build workshop in Colorado\, later that year. In the beginning of 2019\, I joined with Naiana Maximo and Priscila Bogéa to create the first female eco-building collective in Brazil called Moçabarro (Clay Gals is a translation we love!). We began teaching cob workshops and expanded to other natural building techniques and finishings. In our very first year of work we had the opportunity to build a full 100m2 house (@terra.333) using a variety of earthen building processes in this very successful project. Since then we have been working collectively on eco-refurbishing\, rocket stoves\, cob ovens\, cob furnishings\, tadelakt\, plastering and other finishings. We have also taught short-length workshops at my building site as well as for other hosts in Brasil. Cob building is now a way I find to express gestures and print them on earth. Here is the link to our successful all-women cob business: www.mocabarro.com.br\n@mocabarro on Instagram and Facebook \n  \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian meals a day Monday through Friday.  There will also be a Welcome Dinner on the first Sunday night\, a Celebration Dinner on the last Saturday night\, and a Goodbye Brunch on Sunday morning after the Closing Circle. \nOn weekends students are on their own for food\, and can travel and explore the area\, go camping or stay onsite. They will have access to the kitchen and any leftovers from the week. Otherwise they will need to get their own food for the weekend and can collaborate to get rides to the food stores in town. \nAll students will be camping onsite for this workshop.  Students who don’t want to camp can find other local accommodations (ask Host for suggestions) but will need to be able to get to the site on time every weekday.  They can also carcamp obviously. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \nStudents driving in will receive directions to the workshop site in the Welcome Letter sent a month before the start date.  Nearest airports are Atlanta\, Chatanooga and Knoxville. More information will be sent regarding transportation from the airports to the site\, unless students share rental cars. \n  \nREGISTRATION \n  \nThrifty Bird Rate :$2500\, pay in full by January 15th\, 2023 \nChill Bird Rate: $2600\, pay in full by March 12th\, 2023 \nSuper Chill Bird Rate: $2700\, pay in full by April 9th\, 2023 \nPayment includes tuition\, camping and weekday meals plus first and last dinners and last brunch. \nTo register\, please email claudinedesiree@gmail.com or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the rest due by April 9th at the latest. \nWe always offer four work trade discounts of $250 each for an hour of work each class day.  There are two kitchen work traders who prepare breakfast from 6:30-7:30am and two work traders that do site prep from 6:30 to 7:30am.  In this workshop we are offering two more kitchen work trade positions for dinner help. If you want a work trade\, please email or text Claudine (contact info above). These are first come first serve.  Payment should be made in full for work trade positions. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \nStudents who cancel before March 12th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years (no admin fee deducted). \nStudents who cancel after March 12th\, 2023 and before April 9th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years (no admin fee). \nStudents who cancel after April 9th will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/whole-cob-cottage-foundation-to-roof-in-north-carolina-usa/
LOCATION:Earthsong Regenerative Farm\, Murphy\, NC\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC08536.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230507T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230507T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20230508T001831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230508T001831Z
UID:8957-1683446400-1683478800@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:First Mini Complete Cob Build in only 9 days!!! A Cob Playhouse for the McCarall Family in Chattanooga\, Tennessee
DESCRIPTION:HOST & LOCATION \n  \n\n \nLennie\, Ellie\, Jamie and Sean: a beautiful family! \n\n  \nHello everybody! I am Sean and Jamie (my wife)\, Lennox (3)\, Ellie (4 months) and Alfur (my niece who lives with us) are super excited to host our first cob building adventure. Learning about cob building interests us for multiple reasons. The first being we intend to provide affordable housing for friends\, family\, and travellers in the future. I’ve looked into traditional home building and even on a small scale it costs a small fortune to build. We hope to learn the process and be able to continue to construct small shelters with our family and friends. Second\, I am interested in the eco-friendly nature of cob building seemingly made from more sustainable resources\, requiring less upkeep\, and lasting longer than traditional homes. And lastly the potential for lots of aesthetic appeal. Once we understand the fundamentals I feel as though it can be a truly artistic outlet to creating all different designs in buildings. Something I have not tapped into since I was a child. Having received the “Hand-Sculpted House” as a gift from Claudine who we hosted as she biked through Tennessee (how we met)\, we are now even greater cob aficionados and super excited to build with y’all! \n  \n \nTaco Fiesta with the McCarall Family! \n\n  \n\n A little background on us\, we love the outdoors and experiencing new things. In our free time we enjoy  traveling\, meeting new people\, cooking\, biking\, hiking and camping. My wife and I are geologists by trade and spent 10 years in west Texas living out of our motorhome working and saving up. Then we decided to prioritize building a family and moved to Chattanooga\, TN to start that. We now have a VERY funny 2 year old son and an old soul little 6 month daughter who we want to experience some of the cob magic with us too.\n\n\n\n  \nWe are nestled into a home by Raccoon Mtn and only 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. There is plenty of space for everyone whether you would like to stay indoors or out. My wife cooks most of our meals and enjoys changing up cuisine\, while trying to stay healthy so there will always be something good to eat. We look forward to hosting and connecting with everyone and hope you are able to join us on our journey of learning this craft. Expect the weather to be hot (90’s) but with plenty of shade and cool breezes. Bugs are not usually an issue. \n\n\nThe McCarrall Family\n\n\n\n \nOur cozy shaded backyard where we will build the playhouse! \n\n\n\n\nMe and the Fam in April\n\n\n\nMy Goodbye Dinner\n\n\n\nJamie n’ Ellie\n\n\n\nTaco Fiesta Dinner!!!\n\n\n\nMom’s happy! Notice Baby Mohawk:)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nTHE PROJECT \n  \n  \n \nA cob cottage and sauna built by a workshop in the Azores \n\n  \nThis is the very first CruzinCobGlobal 9-day Complete Playhouse Build in which students will learn every step of building a cob building on a micro-scale.  From foundation to reciprocal frame roof\, including cob floor and plaster\, sculpting\, electricity and plumbing\, we will build a 30ft2 round playhouse for Lennie and Ellie.  The idea is to give you a taste of what it’s like to build with cob and\, if you are already a builder or super savvy\, you will DEFINITELY be able to transfer this knowledge and experience to building a full-size cottage.  This workshop is ideal for those who are short on time and money for attending our traditional 35-day full build or who want a taster before committing to the extended workshop (we have one happening just 2 hours east in Pulaski\, TN August 27th to October 1 with time to register…https://cruzincobglobal.org/events/complete-cob-bungalow-in-southern-tennessee-pulaski/). \nThis workshop will be easy on the energy as we will build right behind the family’s home in their tree-studded Tennessee backyard\, in the shade\, and as everything will be small-scale\, each step will be completed in about 1/3 of the time of a usual build\, in which there are 25 working days.  The maximum group size will be 8 as opposed to 15 in the longer-term build.  Students will receive a Certificate for a Mini Complete Cob Building Workshop!  Even though this is a Playhouse\, the workshop is strictly for teens and adults as it will still be an intensive training in order to reach our goal! \nPlease be prepared to work hard and have fun doing so\, bring your favorite playlists and comfortable clothing! \n  \n \nSuccess! \n\n  \n  \nWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION \n  \nThe Mini Complete Cob Building Workshop consists of 9 days (Saturday 12pm through Sunday 4pm) of  learning & construction for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon with theoretical instruction (lectures with graphics)  to complement the hands-on experience. \n  \n \nCabo Verdean student making cob breads \n\n  \nStudents arrive on Saturday morning between 10am and noon to settle in (camping or indoors). The workshop begins with a delicious lunch by Chef Jamie at noon\, followed by our traditional Opening Circle\, a Host Site Orientation\, and an Introduction to the Project by Instructor Krystal Alexander. We will open the hands-on learning by digging the trench and filling it up with the first elements of a foundation on Saturday afternoon. \nA Breakfast buffet will be served from 7:15-8:15am and the morning learning/building session begins at 8:45 am and lasts until 1pm with a 20-minute snack pause at 11am. Lunch break is from 1pm to 2:30pm\, which  includes a rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. \n  \n \nSifting plaster materials \n\n  \nThere will be a lecture each day from 2:30-3:30\, followed by more construction time.  After class in the afternoon there will be a 60-minute break before dinner at 7:30pm\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do some type of relaxation/movement practice\, and/or just relax. There is sometimes a student informally leading yoga and movement practice in the mornings or afternoons (depending on student preference). There will also be one or more evenings after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions. Other evenings are free and sometimes students offer up informal courses in their specialties and passions just for fun. Fire circle\, music\, singing\, dancing…are all part of our workshops!  The last night (Saturday) there will be a Council Circle\, also a CruzinCobGlobal tradition. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n  \nThe Mini Complete Cob Building Workshop begins on a Saturday at noon and ends on a Sunday at 4pm (a week later) with Lunch and a Closing Circle/Graduation.  If necessary due to long-distance travel\, students may arrive on Friday afternoon to acclimate and settle in (please let us know) but will need to cover their own food needs unless a work trade is approved by Host. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate/time of year) will be: \n7:15-8:15 Breakfast\n8:45-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-6:30 Lecture/Class                                                                                                                                                      6:30-7:30 Rest/Yoga\n7:30-8:30 Dinner\n8:30-9:30 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \nStudents are expected to be on time and participate in all sessions and required activities as the goal of building a full construction depends on the whole group working together! \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the reciprocal roof in hands-on building and lectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows and videos will be shown to support and enhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography \, and budgeting. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows\, glass and other objects\ninserting electrical wiring and plumbing in walls\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (1 coat)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding roof frame\nputting on sheathing and other elements\nbuilding green roof \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material\nalso includes: \nlegal cob construction practices & the international cob code\ncost analysis \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for physical work from Day 1. \nThis includes bringing: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes (for foundation and roof)\nFlip-flops (for cobbing/plaster days)\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\nHammer (if u can)\nRounded triangular trowel (5 inches long)\nLevel (2-foot)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\nWood Chisel (standard)\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (for plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \n  \nKrystal Alexander (Cob Instructor & Builder) \n\n \nKrystal is always joyful when she’s cobbin’! \n\nThe desire to incorporate healthier practices into modern day living has led Krystal to a life of natural building. After years of growing her practice as a Massage and Sound Therapist she was ready to take the next step on her journey of creative and self-sufficient living. As an artist clay has always been her medium of choice\, so once her feet hit the mud she was hooked. From that first workshop with CruzinCobGlobal in 2017\, she has dedicated her time to traveling and learning with others (making lifelong friends around the globe). She has assisted\, instructed and helped to build 6 earthen structures as well as 5 cob pizza ovens! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKrystal is fueled by the passion to spread awareness that living consciously and comfortably is an attainable (and sustainable) reality. She believes that through this hands-on work\, we can unlock our creative potential to share our truth with the world around. When she is not cobbin’ she is running her bodywork practice back home in St. Louis\, MO. One day she plans on settling down with her little family on a plot of land and building earthen structures galore. Krystal is eager to share the healing and empowering benefits of cob and community with all!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nStudents will have 3 delicious\, hearty vegetarian/vegan meals every day.  Animal protein (meat or fish) may be added to some meals if there are non-vegetarians in the group.  Also vegan and gluten-free restrictions can be honored. There will be a Welcome Lunch on the first Saturday\, and a Celebration Lunch on the last Sunday\, followed by our Closing Circle. \nAll students can camp onsite or sleep indoors on various pull-out couches and on the floor. Students can also choose to stay in other local accommodations (ask Host for suggestions) but will need to be able to get to the site on time every day.  They can also carcamp. \n  \nTRANSPORTATION \n  \nStudents driving in will receive directions to the workshop site in the Welcome Letter sent two weeks before the start date.  Nearest airports are Chattanooga and Nashville\, and also Atlanta. More information will be sent regarding transportation from the airports to the site\, unless students want to share rental cars. \n  \nREGISTRATION \n  \nThe $900 Fee for the workshop includes tuition\, camping and daily meals. \nTo register\, please email claudine@cruzincobglobal.org or send standard text or Whatsapp text to (831) 212-7225 with your email address to receive the two registration forms.  Payment can be made by Zelle\, Venmo and Paypal using claudinedesiree@gmail.com. With Paypal\, please check the “Send to Family and Friends” box or add 3% for the fee. If you are using a credit card with Venmo or Paypal please add 3% for the transaction fee. Venmo ID is @claudine-desiree. \nEuropeans and others who want to pay internationally can use Wise to pay in USD. Pls ask Claudine for more info and an invite with a free first transfer. \nIt is preferable that you pay in full when you pay however 50% deposit is required to hold your place with the rest due by July 1st at the latest. \nWe will offer 2 work trade discounts of $90 each for an hour of work each class day\, onsite or making breakfast from 6:30-7:30am. Full payment or 50% deposit to hold your spot with final balance due by July 1st. Please see work trader cancellation policy below. \n  \nCANCELLATION POLICY \n  \nStudents who cancel before June 1st\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel between June 1st\, 2023 and June 15th\, 2023 will receive a full refund minus 10% admin fee or a credit for another workshop within 2 years. \nStudents who cancel after June 15th will not receive a refund or a credit unless they have proof of  an emergency situation beyond their control\, in which case they will receive a credit to be used within 2 years\, minus 10% fee. \n*Work traders who cancel after June 15th will receive a full refund of what they have paid minus $90. \n  \nEXCITED TO COB WITH YOU IN 2023!!! \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/first-mini-complete-cob-build-in-only-9-days-a-cob-playhouse-for-the-mccarall-family-in-chattanooga-tennessee/
LOCATION:Casa Miguel\, 3624 Elder Mtn Rd\, Chattanooga\, TN\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/Chattanooga-Cob-Workshop-Flyer-7.15-7.23.23_Updated.png
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220925T083000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221002T173000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20220203T032931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T153135Z
UID:8168-1664094600-1664731800@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Artistic & Finish Earthen Plaster Workshop in the Azores Islands (Portugal)\, Session #1
DESCRIPTION:HOST & LOCATION \nOur Host Claudine Désirée founded CruzinCobGlobal in 2015 when she began a 5-year GlobalBikeCobTrotter Tour through Europe\, Africa\, South America and the US. CruzinCobGlobal is the international version of CruzinCob\, which was born in Santa Cruz in 2004. \nThis workshop will be held at Quinta da Vida Beleza in the Atalhada neighborhood of Lagoa. The Quinta or Farm was born in January 2020 when Claudine\, our Host\, acquired this 2-acre piece of land nestled in a quiet\, agricultural zone just a 7-minute walk to the natural swimming pools and snorkeling waters of the Calhau\, and a short bike ride to Lagoa and Ponta Delgada along the coast. \nThe land is brimming with bananas\, guavas\, kumquats\, and granadilhas\, vegetable gardens\, a chicken family of 30 and 3 guardian cats: Viva\, Joia and Xica. Over the last 2 years there have been 6 cob workshops that have built a sauna\, 2 cottages\, a 2-story house\, an oven & benches and\, most recently\, a beautiful elegant rocket mass heater family-size couch. The land is now a unique Ecovillage and Education Center for all kinds of Workshops with camping areas\, 3 compost toilets\, 3 outdoor showers with hot water\, 3 outdoor fire-heated bathtubs\, an outdoor kitchen & eating area and a huge yoga/dance/meditation deck overlooking the property. \nThe weather in this zone of Lagoa is warmer & drier than the other parts of the island. This and its proximity to the capital\, the airport\, the surfing beaches of the South & North Coast\, the Hot Springs\, and the nicest black sand beaches on the island make Lagoa a very coveted spot. \nDuring the longer workshops\, weekends are free for students to visit the island by bus\, bike\, rental car\, hitchhiking or by foot. While São Miguel is large enough to keep you busy with a variety of hiking\, hot springs\, water sports and cultural adventures\, students can also choose to fly or take a boat to the other islands for something different. \nThis home away from home will welcome you with comfort and conviviality as you live in community for the duration of the workshop\, an integral transformative part of your experience. \n  \nTHE PROJECT \nDuring the 7 days\, the Fine & Artistic Earthen Plaster Workshop Session #1 will apply the finish coat to either the sauna (7m2) or the small bungalow (10m2) (depending on number of registered students) as well as experiment with sgraffito and other artistic techniques on the inside & outside walls.  Below are the structures that will be plastered. \n  \n\nINSTRUCTOR \n\nMarla Azoulaï \nBorn and raised in France with Egyptian/Jewish roots and a Nomad at Heart\, Marla discovered and fell in love with natural building in 2017 in India and in 2018 with CruzinCobGlobal in the Azores. She has since then been continuously learning and practicing\, while developing her specialty in artistic designs with cob and fine plasters. She has attended and assisted CCG workshops and built many houses\, ovens & benches in South America\, the US and Europe\, using a variety of earthen building modalities. Her educational background is in the Fine Arts \, and for this reason she finds that plastering is the most creative and satisfying part of natural building\, and has recently decided to dive deeper into that practice. \nGreatly inspired by the talented Athena Steen and Jonathan Martens in France\, she started to experiment with sgraffito and play with textures and colors in order to turn earthen walls into beautiful pieces of art! You can see some of her masterpieces on this page and in the Gallery below. \nAdditionally\, Marla finds that working with clay and especially plastering have a very soothing\, meditative effect and hopes to transmit the love and passion that she has for it to others!  This will be her first workshop as CCG Instructor and we are grateful to have her on board! \n  \nWHAT YOU WILL LEARN \nThis workshop will give the students the opportunity to discover the arts of earthen renders by creating beautiful finished plasters made out of locally sourced and natural materials\, namely clay\, sand\, and natural fibers. \nThroughout the week the students will have the chance to : \n–learn about the different components and proportions of an earthen plaster mix \n-experiment with different plaster tests and learn how to analyze them\n-prepare lots of different plasters\n-learn and practice how to prepare an earthen wall before plastering\n-learn and practice how to apply an earthen plaster using different techniques and tools\n-learn about the properties of clay and basic principles of granulometry through theoretical classes\, in order to understand the structural properties of all the components\n-learn and experiment with creative techniques such as sgraffito\, to make colorful patterns out of earthen plasters. \nProviding plenty of time for hands on practice\, this workshop is suitable both for beginners and experienced people. It doesn’t matter whether you have never used a trowel in your life or if you want to deepen your practice and knowledge. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n6:30-7:30 Yoga/Movement Practice/Meditation (optional)\n7:30-8:30 Breakfast\n8:45-1:00 Morning Session\n1:00-2:30 Lunch & Rest\n2:30-5:30 Afternoon Session\n6:30-7:30 Dinner \n  \nWHAT TO BRING \nStudents will need to come to workshop prepared by bringing the following items: \n1 or more trowels (details will be sent to registered students)\nwork clothes\nwork gloves\nhat/sunglasses/sunscreen\ngood moisturizer\nwater bottle\nnotebook/pen/camera\npersonal music playlist for working \nWe also recommend that you you read the book “Earth render: the art of clay plaster\, render and paints”\, by James Henderson and/or any other relevant natural plaster books. \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMODATIONS \n  \nStudents will receive three delicious vegetarian/vegan meals a day prepared by a local chef\, beginning with Dinner on Sunday\, April 10 and ending with Lunch on Sunday\, April 17th. \nThere will be room for 7 campers at 7€/day. Tents can be rented for 2€ and 5€/day (see below). People who prefer to rent a private or shared room in a house will need to contact Claudine as soon as possible\, so she can secure the house. There is a two-bedroom 2-story house a short walk from the Quinta that has one room with a queen-sized bed and one room with two double beds. These two rooms share a beautiful oceanview balcony on the second floor. There is wifi\, a full kitchen\, and a patio. Another person can choose to sleep in a walled off section of the living room on a bed as well. Rates depend on how many students will share the house. \nThere is also a wonderful local hotel called “Arcanjo Hotel” with oceanfront rooms also very close to the Quinta. And there are several Airbnb accommodations. \nStudents staying off property will share meals on the Land\, an important community time for the group. \n  \nTRANSPORT & LOGISTICS \n  \nStudents need to fly into the PDL airport from Lisbon\, London\, Paris\, Madrid\, Barcelona\, Frankfurt\, Boston or New York. SATA/Azores Airlines\, TAP\, RyanAir and Delta fly into PDL. You will need to have a Covid test done wihin 48 (Antigen) or 72 (PCR) hours before flying and fill out a SafeAzores questionnaire online with a QR code. \nOnce you arrive\, there are cabs for 15€ (daytime) or 18€ (nighttime) that will take you to the Quinta. If several students arrive on the same flight or around the same time\, I am happy to coordinate you so you can share a cab. And if I happen to be nearby I am happy to come get you. If you are adventurous and with a pack\, you can also walk the spectacular 12 km (7.5 miles) to the land through Ponta Delgada along the coast. \nDirections will be sent in Welcome Letter. \n  \nPAYMENT & REGISTRATION \n  \nTuition & Meals for the 7-Day workshop is 650€. Camping is an additional 7€/day if you bring your own tent. I have 2 smaller 1-2 person tents for 2€/day and 2 family-size 2-room tents that can sleep 4 people for 5€/day. They come with inflatable mattresses and\, if needed\, a pillow\, sheets and a blanket. \nLocals can choose to just come for the day and lunch/snacks (10€/day). Please inquire with Claudine. \nThere are 2 work trade positions which will give the student 10€ off/day for working 75 minutes a day helping with breakfast or site preparations. \nTo guarantee your spot\, either pay in full or make a 50% deposit. Payments will be non-refundable after March 1\, 2022. Any cancellations between March 1-13 may be approved to be used as a credit for another workshop within 2 years\, depending on the circumstances of the need to cancel (with proof). After March 13 there is no refund or credit possible. \nPayments can be made in USD at the current conversion rate with Venmo\, Zelle or Paypal to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Payments in Euros can be made using Transferwise or as regular European inter-bank transfers. \nStudents will be sent a Welcome Letter 2 weeks before the workshop with any additional information\, especially concerning the recommended trowels. \n  \nLOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU HERE!!!! \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/artistic-finish-earthen-plaster-workshop-in-the-azores-islands-portugal/2022-09-25/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-Marla-Art-01Feb22d.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20220828T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221002T170000
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20220315T153953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T154210Z
UID:8626-1661673600-1664730000@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Advanced Cob Building Workshop: Build a Kitchen/Living Room (Foundation to Roof) at Quinta da Nossa Neta in Central Portugal!
DESCRIPTION:THE PROJECT \nThe workshop participants will build a 10-15m2 attached kitchen/dining/living room space which will be used to expand the temporary 44m2 indoor living space while the main house is remodeled..  The Advanced Cob Building workshops always build a complete structure from foundation to roof and students will experience every phase. \nWeek 1: Foundation & Floor #1 \nWeek 2 & 3: Wall (windows\, door\, electrical\, plumbing\, roof connection) \nWeek 4: Sculpting & Plaster \nWeek 5: Reciprocal Frame Roof \n  \nWHAT YOU WILL LEARN \n  \nStudents will learn every step of building a Cob structure from foundation to roof. \nlocation and design decisions (sun\, water\, wind)\nsoil analysis\nsoil testing\nfoundation building\npreparing foundation for Cob wall\nmaking Cob\nbuilding with Cob\ninserting door\, windows\, electricity\, plumbing\, hooks\, etc\ninserting roof connection\nearthen floor (one coat)\nearthen plaster (1 coat)\nbuilding a reciprocal framed roof structure\nbuilding a green roof\nbuilding a “legal” Cob house\nstarting a Cob business\nworking with CCG \nLectures will be 2-3 times a week and will be aligned with the practical building. There will be a few slideshows by Instructor and students who want to share. \n\n  \n\n\nStudents who complete the whole workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion which will include all they have done during the workshop\, as well as the CruzinCobGlobal Handbook\, which summarizes the workshop steps with graphics from the lectures. All the visual teaching materials as well as links\, videos and other documents referred to in the lectures or slideshow night will be emailed to the students after the workshop. \nFor all the details please visit the website event page: \nAdvanced Cob Workshop (Foundation to Roof): An Indoor Kitchen/Living Room Space in Beautiful Central Portugal \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/advanced-cob-building-workshop-build-a-kitchen-living-room-foundation-to-roof-at-quinta-da-neta-in-central-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta da Nossa Neta\, Rua da Nossa Senhora da Saude\, 51\, Casais\, Portugal
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-Casais-English-2022.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220710
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220815
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20220207T000931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220207T000931Z
UID:8188-1657411200-1660521599@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Advanced Cob Building Workshop: Build a Community Space (Foundation to Roof) at Quinta da Vida Beleza in the Azores!
DESCRIPTION:HOST & LOCATION \n  \nOur Host Claudine Désirée founded CruzinCobGlobal in 2015 when she began a 5-year GlobalBikeCobTrotter Tour through Europe\, Africa\, South America and the US. CruzinCobGlobal is the international version of CruzinCob\, which was born in Santa Cruz in 2004. \nThis workshop will be held at Quinta da Vida Beleza in the Atalhada neighborhood of Lagoa. The Quinta or Farm was born in January 2020 when Claudine\, our Host\, acquired this 2-acre piece of land nestled in a quiet\, agricultural zone just a 7-minute walk to the natural swimming pools and snorkeling waters of the Calhau\, and a short bike ride to Lagoa and Ponta Delgada along the coast. \nThe land is brimming with bananas\, guavas\, kumquats\, and granadilhas\, vegetable gardens\, a chicken family of 30 and 3 guardian cats: Viva\, Joia and Xica. Over the last 2 years there have been 6 cob workshops that have built a sauna\, 2 cottages\, a 2-story house\, an oven & benches and\, most recently\, a beautiful elegant rocket mass heater family-size couch. The land is now a unique Ecovillage and Education Center for all kinds of Workshops with camping areas\, 3 compost toilets\, 3 outdoor showers with hot water\, 3 outdoor fire-heated bathtubs\, an outdoor kitchen & eating area and a huge yoga/dance/meditation deck overlooking the property. \nThe weather in this zone of Lagoa is warmer & drier than the other parts of the island. This and its proximity to the capital\, the airport\, the surfing beaches of the South & North Coast\, the Hot Springs\, and the nicest black sand beaches on the island make Lagoa a very coveted spot. \nDuring the longer workshops\, weekends are free for students to visit the island by bus\, bike\, rental car\, hitchhiking or by foot. While São Miguel is large enough to keep you busy with a variety of hiking\, hot springs\, water sports and cultural adventures\, students can also choose to fly or take a boat to the other islands for something different. \nThis home away from home will welcome you with comfort and conviviality as you live in community for the duration of the workshop\, an integral transformative part of your experience. \n  \nTHE PROJECT \nThe final build at Quinta da Vida Beleza Ecovillage & Education Center is an indoor Community Space for hanging out\, classes\, non-Cob workshops\, small group activities\, massage\, yoga\, dance and even a space for indoor camping. It will be a round building around 200 ft2 or 18m2. \nBecause the structure will be larger than the usual workshop size\, we will build part of the foundation beforehand and part of the wall will be stone and also built beforehand. It will be a Rock’n’ Cob wall! This will allow the students to ideally complete the structure in 5 weeks while learning all the phases\, as usual. \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \nClaudine Désirée \nClaudine is the founder and director of CruzinCobGlobal and taught her first long-form full build workshop in 2015 in Andalucia\, Spain.  Since then she has been leading 2-4 of these workshops a year\, always trying to teach in new lands\, new cultures\, new languages to spread the Cob word far and wide.  Today she is grateful to finally be teaching on her own homestead born in January 2020\, where she and her wonderful students have slowly colonized São Miguel with the beginning of many Cob Ecovillages to come. As a matter of fact\, as we speak\, she is teaming up with the local govmt entity and Kairos\, an NGO\, to begin training local unemployed youth to build their own Cob Community Space in Lagoa\, on their organic farm. They will then train more locals and on the other islands.  Its just the beginning. Cob is the future. Glad you are part of it! \n  \nWHAT YOU WILL LEARN \nStudents will learn every step of building a Cob structure from foundation to roof. \nlocation and design decisions (sun\, water\, wind)\nsoil analysis\nsoil testing\nfoundation building\npreparing foundation for Cob wall\nmaking Cob\nbuilding with Cob\ninserting door\, windows\, electricity\, plumbing\, hooks\, etc\ninserting roof connection\nearthen floor (one coat)\nearthen plaster (1 coat)\nbuilding a reciprocal framed roof structure\nbuilding a green roof\nbuilding a “legal” Cob house\nstarting a Cob business\nworking with CCG \nLectures will be 2-3 times a week and will be aligned with the practical building. There will be a few slideshows by Instructor and students who want to share. \nStudents who complete the whole workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion which will include all they have done\, as well as the CruzinCobGlobal Handbook\, which summarizes the workshop steps with graphics from the lectures. All the visual teaching materials as well as links\, videos and other documents referred to in the lectures or slideshow night will be emailed to the students after the workshop. \n  \nWHAT TO BRING \nStudents need to come prepared for the build\, for being outdoors all day\, and for camping (unless you are staying indoors). The workshop will be held during the driest and warmest months of the year\, but still\, it sprinkles regularly. \nclosed-toe shoes (for foundation & roof weeks)\nflip-flops\nrubber or plastic gloves (for lime mortar)\nwork/gardening gloves (for working with rocks/wood)\ngood hat (July/August can get into he 80’s and even 90’s)\nsunscreen/sunglasses\nwater bottle (with filter is useful)\nnotebook/pen\n“The Hand-Sculpted House” by Ianto Evans (READ BEFORE!!!)\nwork clothes\near plugs (for roosters & power tools/hammering)\nmeasuring tape (cm)/wood saw/level/trowel (esp tape)\nyoga/dance clothes\nswimsuit\, towel\, snorkeling gear\nlightweight rain jacket\nphotos/videos of your projects for sharing in slideshow night\nyour favorite music playlists for the build site\nfavorite personal healthy snacks that you can’t get here! \n  \nWHAT TO EXPECT \nVERY IMPORTANT!!! \nThis workshop is an INTENSIVE\, DEMANDING experience for people who are ready to show up every day all day and work hard in Community to erect this beautiful masterpiece in record time! It cannot happen without EVERYONE’s contribution each of the 25 days! Please expect to come every day and rest during your downtime and on weekends. Of course if you are ill or injured we will make the necessary adjustments but it does make the work harder on the rest of the group when people are not there. \nThis Advanced workshop is for serious student builders who really want to learn how to build a complete cob cottage and who plan to do so after the workshop\, when they are ready. Everyone will be trained to be able to do so on their own. This is not a mellow exploration of cob. For that there are other workshops. So please please please make sure you qualify for this workshop. \nThat being said\, you don’t have to be a builder\, an athlete\, 25 years old or some compulsive workaholic (like me :)) to qualify for this workshop. We receive students of all ages\, all backgrounds\, all professions\, all abilities. The only requirement is that you make an effort to do your personal best each day and show up for the group. Some of my best students have been in their 60’s! So if you are willing\, motivated\, excited\, ready and chomping at the bit…this is the workshop for you! If you have doubts or questions…please email me at claudinedesiree@gmail.com and we can talk. \n  \nDAILY SCHEDULE \n6:30-7:30 Yoga/Movement Practice/Meditation (optional)\n7:30-8:30 Breakfast\n8:45-1:00 Morning Session\n1:00-2:30 Lunch & Rest\n2:30-5:30 Afternoon Session & Lectures\n6:30-7:30 Dinner \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \n  \nStudents will receive three delicious vegetarian/vegan meals a day Monday through Friday\, prepared by one or more local chefs\, beginning with Dinner on Sunday\, July 10\, 2022 and ending with Lunch on Sunday\, August 14th\, 2022.  Weekends students will prepare their own meals and go exploring on the island trying the local fare! \n\n  \n\n\n\nThere will be room for 7 campers. Tents can be rented for 2€ and 5€/day (see below). People who prefer to rent a private or shared room in a house will need to contact Claudine as soon as possible\, so she can secure the house. There is a two-bedroom 2-story house a short walk from the Quinta that has one room with a queen-sized bed and one room with two double beds. These two rooms share a beautiful oceanview balcony on the second floor. There is wifi\, a full kitchen\, and a patio. Another person can choose to sleep in a walled off section of the living room on a bed as well. Rates depend on how many students will share the house. \n\nThere is also a wonderful local hotel called “Arcanjo Hotel” with oceanfront rooms also very close to the Quinta. And there are several Airbnb accommodations. There is also a nice hostel called Pés Verdes about 3km away near the nicest beaches in the area. The only issue is distance so if u can use a bike life will be easier. There are public bikes usually available. \nStudents staying off property will share meals on the Land\, an important community time for the group. \n  \nTRANSPORT & LOGISTICS \n  \nStudents need to fly into the PDL airport from Lisbon\, London\, Paris\, Madrid\, Barcelona\, Frankfurt\, Boston or New York. SATA/Azores Airlines\, TAP\, RyanAir and Delta fly into PDL. You will need to have a Covid test done wihin 48 (Antigen) or 72 (PCR) hours before flying and fill out a SafeAzores questionnaire online with a QR code. \nOnce you arrive\, there are cabs for 15€ (daytime) or 18€ (nighttime) that will take you to the Quinta. If several students arrive on the same flight or around the same time\, I am happy to coordinate you so you can share a cab. And if I happen to be nearby I am happy to come get you. If you are adventurous and with a pack\, you can also walk the spectacular 12 km (7.5 miles) to the land through Ponta Delgada along the coast. \nDirections will be sent in Welcome Letter. \n  \nPAYMENT & REGISTRATION \n  \nTuition & Meals for the 5-Week workshop is 2400€ (approx USD$2700 but varies with conversion rates). Camping is free if you bring your own tent. I have 2 smaller 1-2 person tents for 2€/day and 2 family-size 2-room tents that can sleep 4 people for 5€/day. They come with inflatable mattresses and\, if needed\, a pillow\, sheets and a blanket. \nLocals can choose to just come for the day and lunch/snacks. Please inquire with Claudine. \nThere are 2 work trade positions which will give the student 10€ off/day for working 75 minutes a day helping with breakfast or site preparations. Work traders who cancel less than a month from start date (after June 12th) will have to forfeit the value of their work trade discount (250€) because of the inconvenience and need to potentially pay a substitute. \nTo guarantee your spot\, either pay in full or make a 50% deposit. Payments will be non-refundable after May 29th\, 2022. Any cancellations between May 29th and June 26th may be approved to be used as a credit for another workshop within 2 years\, depending on the circumstances of the need to cancel (with proof) and with a 10% cancellation fee deducted. After June 26th there is no refund or credit possible. \nPayments can be made in USD at the current conversion rate with Venmo\, Zelle or Paypal to claudinedesiree@gmail.com. Payments in Euros can be made using Transferwise or as regular European inter-bank transfers. \nStudents will be sent a Welcome Letter 2 weeks before the workshop with any additional information\, especially concerning the recommended trowels. \n  \nLOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU HERE!!!! \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/advanced-cob-building-workshop-build-a-community-space-foundation-to-roof-at-quinta-da-vida-beleza-in-the-azores/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1943.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220424
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220516
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20211208T111149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211208T111149Z
UID:8133-1650758400-1652659199@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Outdoor Wood-Fired Cooking Complex with Cob Oven & Rocket-Lorena Stove in New Mexico
DESCRIPTION:This 3-week workshop offers students the opportunity to design and build a clay-based wood-fired cooking complex. Using locally sourced materials\, students will collaborate to create a traditional ‘beehive’ oven adjacent to a rocket – Lorena stove multi-surface cook top. A prep counter and earthen benches are included as well\, time and energy permitting. \n\nThis workshop is an opportunity to learn about the operational principles of wood-fired cooking\, both through the traditional oven\, and the rocket stove. Terribly practical and pan-applicable\, the skills acquired through this course provide you with relevant knowledge to cook efficiently and comfortably without the need for propane or electricity. \nThere will be ample time for sculpting\, artistic details and creativity\, as well as optional extracurricular activities in the evenings. \nBeginning with the foundation for the cooking complex and analysis and testing of soil\, this workshop gives students a secure understanding of cob building.  This is where the practical aspects of earthen construction begin. Students will familiarize themselves with the principles of insulation\, heat retention\, and draft\, knowledge that can be applied to most if not all earthen construction in general. \nPlease visit website for all the information and to register.  This will be a small personalized workshop and there are currently 6 spots open. Registration deadline is March 25th\, 2022 \n\n  \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/outdoor-wood-fired-cooking-complex-with-cob-oven-rocket-lorena-stove-in-new-mexico/
LOCATION:Florentia\, 116 Paseo Encantado NE\, Santa Fe\, NM\, 87506\, United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-NewMexico-OvenComplex-2022.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210905
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20211101
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20210609T010753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210609T010915Z
UID:8094-1630800000-1635724799@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:A Permitted 2-Story Cob & Light Clay Straw House w/ Rocket Mass Heater on São Miguel\, Azores Islands in Portugal
DESCRIPTION:This workshop will be the longest\, most diverse and most comprehensive one we have yet offered to our students. We will be completing a 2-story building with a criptomeria (local structural wood) post load-bearing structure\, that will be permitted as a “warehouse/workspace” with cob (first floor) and light clay straw (2nd floor) walls with a covered (pocket) balcony\, cob wall-embedded stairs\, a tamped-cob floor\, a rocket mass heater and a reciprocal green roof\, our trademark workshop finishing touch. \nThis is super exciting as it will be the first 2-story structure built in a workshop and that I will personally have built as well.  We have decided to make the second story out of a different natural building material\, light clay straw\, to give students exposure to another popular technique that is ideal for the Azorean slightly cooler winters with its higher insulation properties\, has a faster building time\, and is of lighter weight for the second story. We are hosting guest teacher Nicolas Pimentel\, who started his natural building career with CruzinCobGlobal in the Azores on this very same island in 2017.  He is now a licensed architect in Chile having fast-tracked a green building career in a variety of techniques including one of his favorites\, “paja liviana” or “light clay straw”\, suitable for the southern Chilean winters. \nWhile the 50cm-wide foundation of this 37m2 (400 ft2)-footprint structure has already been built by local Azorean masons\, we will spend the first week adding vertical stone layers in artistic shapes to the foundation guided by our local masons\, to create a mixed volcanic stone and cob wall for he first story.  This will speed up the building process and students will still get to experience local-style rock work.  The following weeks will consist of filling in this rock’n’cob wall with cob and\, as always\, a myriad of aesthetic and functional elements like bottles\, niches\, shelves\, embedded counters and tables\, hooks\, as well as basic electricity and plumbing\, opening and fixed windows and several doors\, including one to the balcony. \nOnce the first story wall with floor beams (for second floor) and tamped cob floor are completed\, students will lay down the second story floor boards before beginning the light clay straw walls of the second story\, led by Nicolas Pimentel.  The reciprocal green roof will seal the building and the tops of the walls filled in before sculpting and plastering begin. \nIn the final week we have the honor to host my son and Rocket Stove aficionado Viva Hansen\, who will lead the way in adding a wonderful element to the structure which will help take the edge off the cooler winter temperatures as well as dry the generally humid indoor air inside of buildings here.  We will build a Rocket Mass Heater that will heat up cob couches built onto black volcanic bedrock that are inside of the building.  The northern back wall will also be built onto this protruding bedrock.  I am so excited to realize one of my dreams: to recreate the cozy warmth I felt inside of the Bedrock Cottage at the Cob Cottage Company\, in which I lived for 5 days warmed up by the heat stored inside of a giant black rock onto which my cob bed frame was built! \nThis 8-week workshop is the longest one we will have offered\, however we are also giving students who can only or only want to do an integrated portion\, the option to do so.  The 8-week students are our priority of course and will receive a reduced rate.  We will offer two Early Bird rates for students taking only one or more portions of the workshop.  These rates are for paying by July 5th and August 5th and the standard rate will apply afterwards. As always\, we will offer 4 work trades\, two in the kitchen preparing breakfast in the morning and 2 preparing the site in the morning and/or afternoon. These work trades are always off of the full/standard rate and will be prioritized for students taking the full 8-week workshop. See the Payment and Registration Info below. It is recommended people sign up as soon as possible so we can have room for everyone. \nSee all the rest of the info on our website event page: \nhttps://cruzincobglobal.org/events/intermediate-cobber-certification-a-permitted-2-story-cob-and-light-clay-straw-house-with-rocket-mass-heater-on-sao-miguel-in-azores-portugal/ \n  \n\n  \n\n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/a-permitted-2-story-cob-light-clay-straw-house-w-rocket-mass-heater-on-sao-miguel-azores-islands-in-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-Sao-Miguel-20211.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210711
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210802
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20210203T204454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210203T204454Z
UID:8033-1625961600-1627862399@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Outdoor Cooking Complex with Cob Oven & Rocket-Fueled Lorena Stove Cooktop in New Mexico
DESCRIPTION:PROJECT \nThis 3-week workshop offers students the opportunity to design and build a clay-based wood-fired cooking complex. Using locally sourced materials\, students will collaborate to create a traditional ‘beehive’ oven adjacent to a rocket stove-fueled\, Lorena-style multi surface cook top. A prep counter and earthen benches are included as well\, time and energy permitting. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is an opportunity to learn about the operational principles of wood-fired cooking\, both through the traditional oven\, and the rocket stove. Terribly practical and pan-applicable\, the skills acquired through this course provide you with relevant knowledge to cook efficiently and comfortably without the need for propane or electricity. \nThere will be ample time for sculpting\, artistic details and creativity\, as well as optional extracurricular activities in the evenings. \nBeginning with the foundation for the cooking complex and analysis and testing of soil\, this workshop gives students a secure understanding of cob building.  This is where the practical aspects of earthen construction begin. Students will familiarize themselves with the principles of insulation\, heat retention\, and draft\, knowledge that can be applied to most if not all earthen construction in general. \n\n  \nSCHEDULE \n\nThe 3-week\, Clay-Based Cooking Complex Workshop begins on Sunday\, July 11th\, 2021 at 4pm with an Opening Circle & Orientation to our Host’s Site\, followed by our Welcome Dinner. After dinner Viva will introduce the workshop schedule. \nThe hands-on build will begin Monday morning at 8:30am after breakfast  There is always optional meditation/yoga before breakfast that is either self-led or we may have a volunteer yoga teacher from the group.  We will learn and build every day until 1pm\, have lunch and rest until 2:30pm\, and on MWF we will have lecture at 2:30pm for up to one hour before starting the afternoon session.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays the afternoon building session will begin at 2:30pm and the day will end at 5:30pm so students can rest and have personal time before dinner. One night a week\, instructor Viva Hansen will show slides and videos related to what is being covered that week. Weekends are free and students will have access to the kitchen\, but be responsible for their own lunch and dinner.  Breakfast food will be available for students to prepare on the weekends\, or\, you are welcome to bring your own nourishment. \nOn weekends\, students may also leave the site and explore the beauty of the surrounding National forests\, swimming holes\, rivers\, and hot springs during the weekends.  There is ample beauty in this area of New Mexico\, including the Pecos National Forest\, the Taos Ski area\, the High Road to Taos (lots of towns and camping areas and trails to explore)\, the Town of Truches and the Penasco Chimayo Dixon\, Pilar (off the Rio Grande Gorge)\, Rio Grande trails and swimming holes and hot springs off the river. Host will share more information at the workshop Opening. \nThe last Saturday (July 31st) will be a day to wrap up anything unfinished\, clean up the site\, and relax together to use the oven for the Graduation Celebration Dinner.  On Sunday morning August 1st\, we will have a Closing Circle followed by a Goodbye Brunch to end the workshop. \n*International or long-distance traveling students should arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in before the workshop begins.* Please let us know if that’s the case. \nThe detailed 3-week workshop schedule will be presented at the Introduction on Sunday evening. \n  \nOur daily schedule will be: \n6:30-7:30 Yoga/Meditation \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30 Morning Circle \n9:00-1:00 Building \n1:00-2:30 Lunch & Rest \n2:30-3:30 Lecture MWF \n3:30-6:00 Building MWF \n2:30-5:30 Building TTh \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Other Activities \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS \n  \nStudents will learn all the relevant steps to building an earthen oven\, a rocket stove\, and Lorena-style hot spot pot-wells designed for cooking. This process starts with a footprint\, and a stone foundation. Using raw earth and adobes\, we will carefully craft the multifaceted anatomy of our outdoor cooking complex. There are many strategic steps in the building process to ensure the proper functioning of both the oven and the rocket stove. Weekly lectures provide theoretical bolstering to the building\, as well as weekly slideshows and videos related to natural building. \nOur hands-on practice includes\, but is not limited to: \ndigging the footprint for the cooking complex and possible benches \npouring gravel \nbuilding stone foundation \nanalyzing soils and materials \nmaking test bricks \nmaking adobes \ndeciding on correct mixture \nmaking cob w/ partner and solo \nbuilding with cob \nPossibly preparing and inserting shelves \nPossibly inserting bottles and other objects \nsculpting \npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat) \nbuilding insulation layers for oven \nmaking oven pad \nbuilding oven mold \nbuilding inner oven shell \nbuilding insulation layer \nbuilding final sculpted cob layer \napplying plaster \nbuilding the rocket stove core \nFitting the pots and sculpting them into the pot wells \n  \n  \nWORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come to workshop and class/building site prepared. \nThis includes: \nWork clothes \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes for foundation & roof days \nFlip-flops for cobbing days \nWork Gloves for rocks and carpentry \nGood Moisturizer \nHat \nSunglasses \nSafety Glasses \nEarplugs \nTape Measure \nSharp-toothed cheap wood saw \nRounded triangular metal trowel \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \nPersonal music playlists for working \nAlso\, if you haven’t already\, reading “The Hand-Sculpted House” by Ianto Evans\, Linda Smiley and Michael Smith\, or something equivalent\, like “The Cobber’s Companion” by Becky Bee\, or “House of Earth” by Conrad Rogue beforehand\,  will benefit you greatly. We encourage you to bring your natural building books with you! \nWhile our cob trainings are physically demanding\, in order to complete projects within the timeline of the workshop\, we ask students to show up every day of class prepared for the day’s tasks. There will always be opportunities  for lighter work here and there for students who are needing to go a bit slower.  Cob building consists of many elements happening simultaneously that support the flow to be smooth and continuous. Sifting through straw\, sifting clay soil and sand\, cutting wood\, and trimming are less physically intensive than making cob\, moving materials\, making breads\, tossing them to the project…..just ask. In order to reach our goal of finishing in three weeks\, everyone’s contribution is counted upon!  We also design the size of the build and workshop based on the number of students.  In the end you may be exhausted\, but you will be very proud of our accomplishment! \n  \nTRANSPORT \nFlorenco Land Trust \nMy address is 119 Paseo Encantado NE\, Santa Fe\, NM. 87506\, (following Google maps will take you on a long journey to a locked Gate above the property used only by the Fire Department) \nAccess: Hwy 78 to Florencio Rd\, see directions below \nDirections:\nComing from Santa Fe: Take the first Tesuque Village Market Exit to hwy 592\, you will pass the famous Tesuque Village Market and Restaurant and a Post office.\nTurn right at 592\, Four Seasons Resort Sign\, I am approx. 5 miles to Camino Chupadero. \nComing from Pojoaque\, Taos\, Espanola\, take the Tesuque South Exit\, pass the trailer court and make left onto hwy 592. Four Seasons Resort Sign\, I am approx. 5 miles to Camino Chupadero. \n\n\n\nYou will come to a stop sign and follow towards Chupadero and Rio en Medio\, it’s a steep grade down into the valley. Make a left onto Camino Chupadero and look for a yellow sign on the right\, Florencio Rd. Make a left onto Florencio Rd\, (a wooden fence and Turquoise door next to the entrance of Florencio follow slowly down the dirt road\, it has a few dips and stay to your right when you see Florencio Trail pass Picaflor\, the green gate is just on the right. It will be important to close the gate after you enter. Once you crest to the top stay to your right to the 2nd driveway which will have a white storage trailer on the left. \nIf you have 4WD it’s best to use it going up the hill not to tear up the gravel base.\nAll front wheel drives are fine to make the drive. \nThere will be places to park above and coming into the property\, it is a long strip of 3.11 acres and not a lot of room to turn around. Roundabout at the top as you climb the hill. \n\n  \nLOGISTICS & FACILITIES \n\nArroyos are situated on all sides of the property. Three empty lots surround my land which are fine to walk on and explore. And near the gate is a short hike onto another arroyo. \nThe ground is clay\, silt\, and vegetation is fragile\, please stay on designated paths\, (human and animal) paths when possible. \nWell Water:\nCrystal Clear and has some Calcium deposits\, great for drinking and washing \nSpigot locations:\nSouth East by the white Dome\nSouth corner of the Carport (where hoses are set up for Solar Showering\, equipment supplies\nNorth of the Yurt next to the Wooden Portal\nWest of the Adobe Building\nSouthwest land is mostly clay and has places designated to walk on. \nElectricity:\nI have an electrical box for the well\, and have made extensions for usage for the yurt\, refrigeration and freezer\, power tools\nMinimal Power usage.\nBring your solar charges for lights and flashlights\nBring Solar charging items for phones if possible\,\n(will have to do time rotations)\nPlug ins South of the Carport\, White Dome and extensions by the Greenhouse. \nInternet:\nSatellite: for Internet\nSignal Booster for cell phone service (will not need PW on your phone) \nInternet Access: near the Yurt and phone service around the property and below to the gate.\nShaded areas\, Deck\, Portal\, North sides of the Adobe house \nBathing: Solar Showers\, rotation with Sun’s Rays South side of Carport\nCompost Toilets: (possible porta potty)\nCooking\, Preparations near Adobe House and Portal\nPropane Tanks \n\nDistances:\nTesuque Village 10 mins\nSanta Fe downtown 20 mins\nSanta Fe Airport 35 mins\nAlbuquerque Airport 1hr 15 mins from downtown Santa Fe\nShuttle service will drop off Downtown Santa Fe \n\nPurchase supplies:\nTrader Joes\, Whole Foods\, Sprouts\nGas stations: Santa Fe and Pojoaque \nHiking locations nearby farther away destinations\nOjo Caliente Hot Springs\nIndian Ruins\, Kivas\, Petroglyphs\nSanta Fe Plaza and Canyon Art Walk\nTaos\, Rio Grande\, Pilar\, Abiquiu Dam\, Ghost Ranch and more \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \nStudents will receive snacks and 3 delicious healthy vegetarian meals a day from Monday through Friday prepared by cooks.  If there are meat-eaters we can offer some meat options throughout the week and on Fridays. We will ask about allergies and restrictions a month before the workshop. If you have favorite food snacks and needs you can’t live without\, please bring them.  On weekends\, breakfast foods will be available for students to make for themselves. Lunch and dinner will not be served on weekends\, but students can use the kitchen. \nThere will be options for car camping on the land\, as well as pitching tents. There isn’t ample shade\, but Melanie has a large adobe house where six or so students can tent. We are also working with a close neighbor to see if students can camp on their land. There will be two composting restrooms\, and two private showering booths using solar showers for cleaning after each day. If you have a solar shower\, please bring it! \n****Additional Info from Melanie: \nCamping:\nStake Tents inside the Adobe house\, Room for 6\nWinds can be an issue\, best to be tucked into areas\nThere are a couple of places on the land\, North\, and East that have flat areas \nDesignated Fire Pits and above Ground Fireplaces \nI will connect with the land owner in the area who may rent out space\, it has no facilities\,\nprotected areas and places to park. Water can be attained from the well.\nShort 5 min walk to work sight\nNext Door Neighborhood sight for Renting a house or two. \nSupplies \nWater jugs large and small\nSunscreen\, hats\, Sunglasses\nExtra powered drinks for dehydration\nSolar chargers\nFlashlights\, headlamps\nWater bottles\nHot water Thermos\nWarm sleeping bags\nWarm clothes\, rain and wind gear\, dress in layers\nTowels\, toiletries \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \n\nViva Hansen was exposed to earthen building from a young age\, but it wasn’t until his college years that he started to delve more deeply into Cob and other techniques of natural building. Over the course of the last 10 years\, Viva has lead a handful of builds\, done many solo projects\, and taught a fair amount of workshops. He is particularly passionate about the integration of earthen masonry and fire\, leading him to experiment with Rocket Mass Heaters\, Lorena stoves\, rocket stoves\, and ovens. He is very aware of the uniquely therapeutic aspects of sculpture and design\, and strives to make every project a piece of functional art. You may read his bio below. \n\nAs a kid\, Cob was this strange empowering thing my mom did to build us a bigger home. I participated when I wanted\, and skipped out when I didn’t. Though as time went on the Cob effect was undeniable. Every time a build was underway there was music and laughter and food and wisdom from people of all ages and backgrounds. \nAs I matured through my high school years I was able to involve myself with enough earthen building to feel its practical magic. Then one \n\n\n\nsummer I created an opportunity to build a meditation room with my high school physics teacher. His passionate involvement with our Indigenous community transformed the project into a spiritual experience. Throughout the summer we made long trips to sacred rivers and hand-picked beautiful stones for the foundation\, often walking for miles on a trail with three or four stones in a backpack. Then as I finished my college experience and returned to California\, the opportunity to join my mother on her journey bloomed. \nFor me\, Cob is primarily a physical experience. It has always been about sweat and breath. The feel of different dirts and sands\, straws and rocks. And it is a mystical experience\, bringing me back to the earth. But what I have learned from the last year is that Cob building can be a tool to sew communities back together. To bring “strangers” into a common space and make them family. In that vein\, Cob really is a product of my life philosophy. Something that I can stand behind fully because I know that from top to bottom it is peace\, hard work\, sustainable and love. Here is a short video I made last year that expresses these feelings better than written words.  As I continue to learn in this life I will continue to share what Cob has shared with me. \n  \n\nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \nThe fee for the 3-week Outdoor Cooking Complex workshop is $1800\, which includes tuition\, 2 snacks & 3 meals/day on workshop days and breakfast/brunch on weekends. \nThere is a maximum limit of 8 students. \nTo register please contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org to receive application forms and payment information. To hold your spot in this training you will need to pay the full amount or a 50% deposit that will be non-refundable after June11th\, 2021 (see below).  The balance will be due by June 27th\, two weeks before the start date. \nCancellation Policy:  If you cancel before June 11th you will get a full refund or credit towards another workshop to be used within 2 years. If you cancel after June 11th you will only get a credit and forfeit 10% of your payment or $180 for the last-minute cancellation. \nWe always offer work trades in our workshops depending on size of workshop. Here we will offer 2 work trades\, one in the kitchen (making breakfast) and one onsite helping prep before breakfast. These work trades are for one hour per day of work in exchange for a $10 discount per workshop day.  In this case work trader would receive $150 off and needs to put down 50% to hold their spot with the balance due by June 27th\, 2021. Please inquire asap because these spots go first. \nYou can also contact Claudine by Whatsapp at +18312127225 for questions and registration. \nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!!!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/outdoor-cooking-complex-with-cob-oven-rocket-fueled-lorena-stove-cooktop-in-new-mexico/
LOCATION:Florentia\, 116 Paseo Encantado NE\, Santa Fe\, NM\, 87506\, United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-SpringSummer2021-3.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210704
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210726
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20210203T015742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210203T015742Z
UID:8031-1625356800-1627257599@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Complete Cob Sauna (Foundation to Roof) in the Azores Islands\, Portugal (Advanced Cobber Certification)
DESCRIPTION:PROJECT \nWe will be building a complete 6m2 to 7m2 sauna (depending on number of students) from foundation to roof in 3 weeks with 15 days of workshop learning and weekends for relaxation and exploring. \nIn this workshop\, students will learn all the skills and knowledge offered in the longer Advanced Training on a smaller scale. It is a more affordable and less time-intensive opportunity to get a complete cob building experience\, though clearly with much less practice time than with a larger structure and longer workshop. Still\, students will leave trained and skilled and confident to build themselves a cob building \n  \nSCHEDULE \nThe 3-week Sauna Cob Building Workshop begins on Sunday\, July 4th\, 2021 at 4pm and ends on Sunday\, July 25th\, 2021 at 2pm. \nInternational or non-island students should arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in before the workshop begins. \nThe workshop schedule will be: \nDays 1-3: Foundation and Floor (1st coat) \nDays 4-8: Wall \nDays 9-10: Sculpting and Plaster \nDays 11-13: Roof \nDays 14-15: Floor (2nd coat) & Finish \n  \nThe daily schedule will be: \n8:30 Morning Circle \n8:45-1:00 Building \n1:00-1:30 Lunch \n1:30-2:30 Lecture \n2:30-5:30 Building \n  \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS\nStudents will earn the Advanced Cobber Certification as they will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the roof in lectures/theory and daily hands-on construction. While the course is shorter and the building smaller than our usual 5-week Advanced Cobber Certification workshop\, we will still complete all the elements though on a smaller and more minimalist scale.  A longer workshop allows for more experiences and details and practice time\, and a shorter workshop is more affordable and less time and energy-intensive. In addition\, there will be one night per week of slides/videos during the workshop. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding stone & lime mortar foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door frame\npreparing and inserting fixed window and opening window frame\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows and other objects\ninserting electrical outlet and plumbing pipe\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (1 coat)\npouring an earthen floor (2 layers)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding reciprocal roof frame\nbuilding wooden roof decking/sheathing & green roof covering \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \nStudents will need to come to class/building site prepared. \nThis includes: \nWork clothes \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes \nFlip-flops for cobbing days \nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar) \nWork Gloves \nGood Moisturizer \nHat \nSunglasses \nSafety Glasses \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n  \nPlease read “The Hand-Sculpted House” by Ianto Evans\, Linda Smiley and Michael Smith before the workshop and bring with you.  I is still the one and only Cob Bible!!! \nWeather in July is wonderfully hot and enjoyable and usually does not rain much\, but can always be drizzly too. So please bring your raingear and beachwear! Temperatures will be in the mid to high 70’s but could be hotter. And very comfortable at night. \n  \n  \nTRANSPORT & LOGISTICS \n  \nLocals can Google “Clinica Veterinaria São Miguel” on Rua das Mercês and park on the street and walk up the dirt Canada das Mercês  a few minutes to the Quinta da Vida Beleza on the left\, with a bright yellow painted gate. \nComing form Europe\, you can fly with Azores Airlines\, TAP or Ryan Air.  These are the main airlines flying here with Ryan Air being the cheapest\, especially from Lisbon (20€/one way minimum).  If it works out\, I may pick you up or else just take a taxi to your accommodations. \nComing from the North America\, direct flights are only from Boston and Toronto with Azores Airlines/SATA. Check TAP too. That being said you can book with Azores Airlines or TAP from anywhere in the US to connect in Boston or buy two separate tickets.  You can also fly to Lisbon or Porto (much nicer) and then take RyanAir to Ponta Delgada.  NorwegianAir is super cheap especially off-season and flies from the US to Barcelona and Madrid from which you can take RyanAir to PDL. \nFor students wanting to stay on and explore other islands\, SATA airlines connects all the islands year-round. \nWhile on the island\, it is recommended to have a bicycle\, which you can to rent from Claudine\, or share a rental car with other students for a possibly very low fee of 2€/day with Goldcar! There is a very good bus system as well. \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \nStudents will be fed 3 high-quality vegetarian meals from Monday through Friday\, with lunch & dinner prepared by a professional chef. \nWe can take 5 campers and also have local low-budget accommodations at the Pés Verdes Hostel owned by my friend Margarida with cute patios\, a kitchen and right near three black sand beaches\, a food store and three restaurants. Find it on Googlemaps. If you are interested there is a dorm option and a private room option. My students get a special rate. Those choosing to stay there will need to bike\, walk \, drive or bus to the land (3km). Its only a 5-10 minute flat bike ride to the Quinta. Walking will take you about half an hour\, and the bus leaves every hour and stops right on my street.  If you want the hostel option you will need to let us know ASAP.\nThere are also two houses with two bedrooms each\, oceanfront balconies\, kitchens\, washing machines and wifi only a 5-minute walk to the land. Please let me know if you want to rent them asap.   There is also the very sweet Hotel Arcanjo also in the same neighborhood. And two restaurants and a small food store. The big supermarket is a 10-minute walk away and the natural pools are right there. Let us know and we can help. \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \nClaudine Desiree is the original “Cob Queen” of Santa Cruz\, where she founded the original “Sunflower Cob Building” which quickly morphed into the California-based “Cruzin’ Cob”\, the cob workshop and building business that evolved over a decade.  Once her three sons were “out of the house”\, she went for her dream of traveling around the world on a bike teaching cob workshops everywhere every few months to continue supporting herself by offering up what she loves in the countries and languages she is passionate about.  To work internationally with no home base required a new name and a website\, hence CruzinCobGlobal was born naturally and appropriately and\, after 5 years on the road\, Claudine has finally found a new home….for now.  On the island of São Miguel in the Azores (where are the Azores?) she has started building an eco homestead for family and friends called “Quinta da Vida Beleza” for chillin’\, playing music\, dancing and communing!!!!  CruzinCobGlobal will continue to do the important work of building the best houses and best communities ever of course… with more new Teachers hitting the Cob road in 2021 as CCG-trained students begin leading workshops and builds around the world. Claudine will also keep teaching in her favorite places and spreading the Cob everywhere\, with more focus on the Azores land and project now\, but also very interested in working in Africa and Asia.  California\, however\, will always be one of those favorite places\, her and her children’s home for 20 years. And the demand to learn Cob in California is always growing with the fires and earthquakes threatening conventional houses.  And the best part is we have a “legal” Cob Code to use anywhere in the world thanks to the CRI architects’ and engineers’ hard work and focus!\nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \nThe fee for the 21-day Complete Sauna Build will be 1600€ which includes tuition\, 2 snacks & 3 meals/day on workshop days. On weekends students will provide their own meals. \nVery Early Bird Discount: 1400€\, pay\, in full by March 4th\, 2021 \nEarly Bird Discount: 1500€\, pay in full by May 4th\, 2021 \nThere is a maximum limit of 15 students. \nTo register please contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org to receive application forms and payment information. To hold your spot in this training you will need to pay the full amount or a 50% deposit that will be non-refundable after June 4th\, 2021.  The balance will be due by June 20th\, two weeks before the start date. \nFor students coming from the US\, depending on the COVID requirements\, Claudine will be able to write an official registration letter to enable your entry into the Azores. \nPlease note: If you cancel before June 4th you will get a full refund or credit towards another workshop within 2 years. If you cancel after June 4th you will only get a credit and forfeit 10% of your payment or 150€ for the last-minute cancellation. \nWe always offer work trades in our workshops depending on size of workshop. Here we will offer 4 work trades\, two in the kitchen (making breakfast) and two onsite helping prep before breakfast. These work trades are for one hour per day of work in exchange for a 10€ discount per workshop day.  In this case work trader would receive 150€ off of the full price of 1600€\, with 50% down to hold their spot and the balance due by  June 20th\, 2021. Please inquire asap because these spots go first. \nYou can also contact Claudine by Whatsapp at +18312127225 for questions and registration. \nEstudantes locais das ilhas e portugueses favor de contactar claudine@cruzincobglobal.org ou 964746071 para informações de inscrição e pagamento reduzido! Estudantes com formacão podem ser oferecido trabalho pagado depois da formacão no terreno ou em outro projeto e/ou como asistente em outros cursos de CCG. \n  \nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!!!…NOS VEMOS NO BARRO!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/complete-cob-sauna-foundation-to-roof-in-the-azores-islands-portugal-advanced-cobber-certification/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-SpringSummer2021-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210503
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20210407T060225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210407T231932Z
UID:8061-1619308800-1619999999@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Cob Oven & Benches & Work Table at the Muddy Mule Farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains
DESCRIPTION:*This is organized as a 7-day workshop\, but we are accepting part-time participation for 4\, 5 & 6 days* \nHOST & LOCATION & PROJECT \nDave & Lindsey  and their tribe will be our hosts for this week-long traditional wood-fired Cob Oven\, Benches & Work Table workshop\, in the mountains of Santa Cruz.  In their words: \nOur family is living the Big Foot life with a small footprint in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains.  Other than our family yurt\, we spend our time outside and off-grid under the majestic redwoods.  Our family of 6 is beyond excited to share our forest home offering a true camping experience.  We love the life outdoors and invite you to come stay with us and help us create our first COB project! \nYou will get to meet the resident farm animals (mules\, Nigerian goats\, & chickens)\, the home-schooled Big Foot Tribe and enjoy the nightly campfires.  Bring long layers for cool\, shady evenings\, some possible mosquitoes and a good headlamp! We are excited to meet you! \nSCHEDULE \nThe workshop will begin on Sunday afternoon at 4pm with an Opening Circle and an Orientation to the Site followed by a yummy Welcome Dinner.  Then we will have an Introduction to the Workshop before retiring. Monday morning we will begin the hands-on building & learning day at 9am after breakfast\, which will be served from 7:30-8:30am. We will have class every day until 1pm\, followed by lunch and rest until 2:30pm.  The afternoon session will begin with a Lecture at 2:30 on Monday\, Wednesday and Friday followed by more building and learning until 5:30pm.  Students will have downtime until 7pm\, when dinner will be served. We will have two nights of slides and videos and other evenings may include extracurricular & spontaneous fun activities including fire circles\, dancing and music.  Please bring a musical instrument(s) and your favorite playlists. The final dinner on Saturday night will be a Celebration that may include use of the Oven\, depending on whether the Oven is ready to use. \nThe daily schedule looks like this: \n6:30-7:30 Yoga/Meditation (optional) \n7:30-8:30 Breakfast \n8:30 Morning Circle \n9:00-1:00 Building \n1:00-2:30 Lunch & Rest \n2:30-3:30 Lecture \n3:30-5:30 Building \n5:30-7:00 Downtime \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Other Activities \n  \nThe week-long schedule looks like this: \nDay 1: Oven Insulation\, Pad\, Floor\, Sand Form\, Inner Shell \nDay 2: Bench Foundations\, Work Table Foundation\, Making Cob\, First Layer of Benches  & Work Table \nDay 3: Removing Sand Form\, Continuing Benches & Table\, Making Slip \nDay 4: Oven Insulation\, Continuing Benches & Table \nDay 5: Oven Sculpting Cob Layer\, Sculpting Oven & Benches \nDay 6: Plaster/Burnishing \nDay 7: Oiling \n  \nWHAT YOU WILL LEARN \nStudents will learn all the steps to building a Cob Oven and Benches. Students will also learn from lectures and discussion and a few slide show nights. Evenings will be open for freestyle activities including music\, dance\, campfires\, etc. \n  \nFor the Oven: \nUnder-oven insulation layers \nOven pad \nBricks \nSand Dome Mold \nInner Oven Shell \nInsulation Layer \nOuter Oven Sculpted Layer \nPlaster \n  \nand For the Benches… \n  \nStone Foundation \nMaking Cob \nBuilding with Cob \nSculpting \nPlaster \n  \n\nWORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come to workshop and class/building site prepared. \nThis includes: \nWork clothes \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes for foundation days \nFlip-flops for cobbing days \nWork Gloves for rocks \nGood Moisturizer \nHat \nSunglasses \nRounded triangular metal trowel \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \nPersonal music playlists for working \nAlso\, if you haven’t already\, reading “The Hand-Sculpted House” by Ianto Evans\, Linda Smiley and Michael Smith\, or something equivalent\, like “The Cobber’s Companion” by Becky Bee\, or “House of Earth” by Conrad Rogue beforehand\,  will benefit you greatly. Also please read Kiko Denzer’s “Build Your Own Earth Oven”. We encourage you to bring your natural building books with you! \n  \nGETTING THERE\n \nOnce students are registered more specific directions will be provided as well as carpooling information.  Students who fly in should fly to San Jose Airport (SJC) and there are trains and buses to get you closer.  Feel free to ask Claudine for more info. \n\n\n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \nStudents will receive snacks and 3 delicious healthy vegetarian meals a day prepared by cooks and with alot of fresh\, organic bounty from the local Farms of course.  If there are meat-eaters\, we can offer some meat options. We will ask about allergies and restrictions in our Welcome email before the workshop. If you have favorite food snacks and needs you can’t live without\, please bring them.  Expect a healthy\, balanced menu. Local students can choose to only have lunch and join for dinner on slide night and the final Celebration Dinner. \nThere is ample land to camp on or car camp.  Students wanting indoor accomodations can check airbnbs or talk to Hosts. \n  \nINSTRUCTOR\nClaudine Désirée is the original “Cob Queen” of Santa Cruz\, where she founded the original “Sunflower Cob Building” which quickly morphed into the California-based “Cruzin’ Cob”\, the cob workshop and building business that evolved over a decade.  Once her three sons were “out of the house”\, she went for her dream of traveling around the world on a bike teaching cob workshops everywhere every few months to continue supporting herself by offering up what she loves in the countries and languages she is passionate about.  To work internationally with no home base required a new name and a website\, hence CruzinCobGlobal was born naturally and appropriately and\, after 5 years on the road\, Claudine has finally planted roots again.  On the island of São Miguel in the Azores (where are the Azores?) she has started building an Eco-Homestead for family and friends called “Quinta da Vida Beleza” for chillin’\, playing music\, dancing and communing!!!!  CruzinCobGlobal will continue to do the important work of building the best houses and best communities ever of course… with more new Teachers hitting the Cob road in 2021 as CCG-trained students begin leading workshops and builds around the world. Claudine will also keep teaching in her favorite places and spreading the Cob everywhere\, with more focus on the Azores land and project now\, but also very interested in working in Africa and Asia.  California\, however\, will always be one of those favorite places\, her and her children’s home for 20 years. And the demand to learn Cob in California is always growing with the fires and earthquakes threatening conventional houses.  And the best part is we have a “legal” Cob Code to use anywhere in the world thanks to the CRI architects’ and engineers’ hard work and focus! \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \nThe fee for the 7-day Cob Oven & Benches workshop is $700\, which includes tuition\, 2 snacks & 3 meals/day and camping. Normally we don’t accept part-time students\, meaning less than the full duration of the workshop. However in this case\, because it is a last-minute workshop\, we are open to accepting students for 4\, 5 or 6 days as well. The rate will be pro-rated at $100/day. \nThere is a maximum limit of 10 students. \nTo register please contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org to receive application forms and payment information. To hold your spot you will need to pay the full amount by April 24th\, 2021 \nWe always offer work trades in our workshops depending on size of workshop. Here we will offer 2 work trades\, one in the kitchen (making breakfast) and one onsite helping prep before breakfast. These work trades are for one hour per day of work in exchange for a $10 discount per workshop day.  In this case work trader would receive $70 off. Please inquire asap because these spots go first. \nYou can also contact Claudine by Whatsapp at +18312127225 for questions and registration. \nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!!!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/cob-oven-benches-work-table-at-the-muddy-mule-farm-in-the-santa-cruz-mountains/
LOCATION:The Muddy Mule Farm\, Aptos\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/IMG_6598.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210408
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210412
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20210202T150131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210202T150312Z
UID:8025-1617840000-1618185599@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:Cob Oven & Benches at Wild Culture Farm in Soquel\, California
DESCRIPTION:HOST & LOCATION & PROJECT \nWild Culture Farm will be our host for this short & sweet traditional wood-fired Cob Oven and Benches workshop in my home stomping ground of Santa Cruz! Yeah! I am so grateful to be hosted by a yummy farm that will take good care of all of us as we build them what they are needing right now! An oven for monthly pizza parties. As Farmer Jennifer states: \n“Our family farm\, Wild Culture Farm\, could thrive with a cob oven! Having an outdoor space to make & break bread and celebrate the work of our hands growing food together\, would be a dream realized. Doing so with the craftsmanship of willing hands gathering to learn new skills\, repurpose waste\, and utilize available natural materials fits so well with our ethos and why we do the work we do.” \nThe workshop will take place in Soquel\, California\, between Santa Cruz and Monterey right in the middle of the Monterey Bay.  The 6-acre farm prides itself on having alot of wild land left open and planting food everywhere possible. They have a wonderful creek running through and many acres of food and space to camp and will even provide the clay soil we will use for building! I am looking forward to seeing and being there. \nStudents will learn all the steps to building a cob oven after the foundation is built. Since we only have 4 days\, we could not include the foundation\, which takes 2-3 days to build due to drying time in between layers. However students will learn the process in lecture and be able to see the finished foundation before starting the next steps: \nSCHEDULE \n\n\n\nThe workshop will begin on Thursday morning at 8:30 am with an Opening Circle\, Orientation to the Site and Introduction to the Workshop\, after breakfast. We will have class every day until 1pm\, followed by lunch and rest until 2:30pm.  The afternoon session will begin with a Lecture at 2:30 followed by more building until 5:30pm.  Students will have downtime until 7pm when dinner will be served. We will have one night of slides and videos and other evenings may include extracurricular fun activities including fire circles and music.  The final dinner will be a Celebration that may include use of the Oven\, depending on the weather and if the Oven has dried enough to remove the sand mold for use. \nThe daily schedule looks like this: \n6:30-7:30 Yoga/Meditation \n7:30-8:15 Breakfast \n8:30 Morning Circle \n9:00-1:00 Building \n1:00-2:30 Lunch & Rest \n2:30-3:30 Lecture \n3:30-5:30 Building \n5:30-7:00 Downtime \n7:00-8:00 Dinner \n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Other Activities \n  \nWHAT YOU WILL LEARN \nStudents will learn all the steps to building a cob oven after the foundation is built. Since we only have 4 days\, we could not include the foundation\, which takes 2-3 days to build due to drying time in between layers. However students will learn the process in lecture and be able to see the finished foundation before starting the next steps:\nUnder-oven insulation layers \nOven pad \nBricks \nSand Dome Mold \nInner Oven Shell \nInsulation Layer \nOuter Oven Sculpted Layer \nPlaster \n  \nand for the Benches… \n  \nStone Foundation \nMaking Cob \nBuilding with Cob \nSculpting \nPlaster \n  \n\nWORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION \n  \nStudents will need to come to workshop and class/building site prepared. \nThis includes: \nWork clothes \nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes for foundation days \nFlip-flops for cobbing days \nWork Gloves for rocks \nGood Moisturizer \nHat \nSunglasses \nRounded triangular metal trowel \nWater Bottle \nNotebook/Pen/Camera \nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \nPersonal music playlists for working \nAlso\, if you haven’t already\, reading “The Hand-Sculpted House” by Ianto Evans\, Linda Smiley and Michael Smith\, or something equivalent\, like “The Cobber’s Companion” by Becky Bee\, or “House of Earth” by Conrad Rogue beforehand\,  will benefit you greatly. Also please read Kiko Denzer’s “Build Your Own Earth Oven”. We encourage you to bring your natural building books with you! \n  \nGETTING THERE\n \nWild Culture Farm is located in Soquel\, California\, not far from Highway 101.  Once students are registered more specific directions will be provided as well as carpooling information.  Students who fly in should fly to San Jose Airport (SJC) and there are trains and buses to get you closer.  Feel free to ask Claudine for more info. \n  \nMEALS & ACCOMMODATIONS \nStudents will receive snacks and 3 delicious healthy vegetarian meals a day prepared by cooks and with alot of fresh\, organic bounty from the Farm of course.  If there are meat-eaters\, we can offer some meat options. We will ask about allergies and restrictions a month before the workshop. If you have favorite food snacks and needs you can’t live without\, please bring them.  Expect a healthy\, balanced menu. Local students can choose to only have lunch and join for dinner on slide night and the final Celebration Dinner. \nThere is ample land to camp on or car camp.  Students wanting indoor accomodations can check airbnbs or talk to Hosts. \n  \nINSTRUCTOR \nClaudine Désirée is the original “Cob Queen” of Santa Cruz\, where she founded the original “Sunflower Cob Building” which quickly morphed into the California-based “Cruzin’ Cob”\, the cob workshop and building business that evolved over a decade.  Once her three sons were “out of the house”\, she went for her dream of traveling around the world on a bike teaching cob workshops everywhere every few months to continue supporting herself by offering up what she loves in the countries and languages she is passionate about.  To work internationally with no home base required a new name and a website\, hence CruzinCobGlobal was born naturally and appropriately and\, after 5 years on the road\, Claudine has finally found a new home….for now.  On the island of São Miguel in the Azores (where are the Azores?) she has started building an eco homestead for family and friends called “Quinta da Vida Beleza” for chillin’\, playing music\, dancing and communing!!!!  CruzinCobGlobal will continue to do the important work of building the best houses and best communities ever of course… with more new Teachers hitting the Cob road in 2021 as CCG-trained students begin leading workshops and builds around the world. Claudine will also keep teaching in her favorite places and spreading the Cob everywhere\, with more focus on the Azores land and project now\, but also very interested in working in Africa and Asia.  California\, however\, will always be one of those favorite places\, her and her children’s home for 20 years. And the demand to learn Cob in California is always growing with the fires and earthquakes threatening conventional houses.  And the best part is we have a “legal” Cob Code to use anywhere in the world thanks to the CRI architects’ and engineers’ hard work and focus! \n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT \nThe fee for the 4-day Cob Oven & Benches workshop is $400\, which includes tuition\, 2 snacks & 3 meals/day and camping. \nThere is a maximum limit of 10 students. \nTo register please contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org to receive application forms and payment information. To hold your spot you will need to pay the full amount or a 50% deposit that will be non-refundable after March 8th\, 2021 (see below).  The balance will be due by March 25th\, two weeks before the start date. \nCancellation Policy:  If you cancel before March 8th you will get a full refund or credit towards another workshop to be used within 2 years. If you cancel after March 8th you will only get a credit and forfeit 10% of your payment or $40 for the last-minute cancellation. \nWe always offer work trades in our workshops depending on size of workshop. Here we will offer 2 work trades\, one in the kitchen (making breakfast) and one onsite helping prep before breakfast. These work trades are for one hour per day of work in exchange for a $10 discount per workshop day.  In this case work trader would receive $40 off. Please inquire asap because these spots go first. \nYou can also contact Claudine by Whatsapp at +18312127225 for questions and registration. \nSEE YOU IN THE MUD!!!!!
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/cob-oven-benches-at-wild-culture-farm-in-soquel-california/
LOCATION:Wild Culture Farm\, Cherryvale Avenue\, Soquel\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/CCG-Flyer-SpringSummer2021.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20201011
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20201116
DTSTAMP:20261109T104948
CREATED:20191231T235558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200622T011556Z
UID:7887-1602374400-1605484799@cobworkshops.org
SUMMARY:First Cob Bungalow on the Island of São Miguel in the Azores (Portugal)
DESCRIPTION:LOCATION & HOST\nDiscover the beautiful Azores islands in the Springtime on the largest and most diverse of all the islands where Claudine\, director of CruzinCobGlobal\, has just bought a few acres of land near the ocean and forest to create the Quinta da Vida Boa Cob Ecovillage Retreat & Educational Center. Come and learn Cob Building while building the island’s and the Quinta’s first official Cob Bungalow with the island’s own materials of course!!! \nThe Azorean island of São Miguel is a true paradise. Every time I walk\, bike or drive around I am in awe of the peaceful and gentle beauty.  The island is the first and main stopping point for visitors of the Azores and\, in my opinion\, is the most beautiful\, and interesting to explore.  It is 62km/40 miles long and 16km/10 miles wide at its widest point. It is shaped like a caterpillar with the crown chakra at the northwesternmost point called Mosteiros\, a jewel with large cliff rocks in the ocean that reminded locals of 2 nuns and a priest\, ergo the name Mosteiros which means “Monasteries”.  The island has a variety of microclimates and micro regions which make it seem alot bigger. The Nordeste (Northeast) seems like another world with its big forests and cliffs and intense greenscape. The middle of the island is where the “action” is with the best and most accessible surf beaches\, markets\, and cultural life\, centered in Ponta Delgada\, the capital\, as well as Lagoa\, Vila Franca and Ribeira Grande.  Ponta Delgada is the capital of the island and the main hub for the whole Autonomous Region.  Its population is 50\,000\, about 1/3 of the whole island and like any other European city has many places to eat\, hear live music\, shop and people watch.  However each part of the island is special in its own way. \nThe Quinta da Vida Boa (The Good Life Farm) is located in Atalhada\, a section of Lagoa\, about 8km/5miles east from the center of Ponta Delgada.  It’s an easy bike ride along the coast with a nice bike path covering alot of the way.  It is located in a “rustic” area surrounded by other farms\, yet also only a 10-minute walk to the ocean and a short bike or car ride to the Natural Swimmming Pools of Lagoa\, Santa Cruz Beach and\, my favorite\, Praia das Milicias\, a fine black sand beach with great swimming and surfing.  There is a big native forest right behind the Quinta for walking and exploring full of red and black volcanic rock\, a Volcanic/Seismological Observatory close by and on weekends\, students can rent a car (for as low as 2€ or less a day!) to visit different parts of the island like the 3 different hot springs\, the highest peak\, caves\, iridescent green and blue volcanic crater lakes\, two important botanical gardens\, amazing vistas\, villages\, beaches\, hikes\, and waterfalls.  People who are into scuba diving\, sailing\, whale and dolphin excursions and even visiting Santa Maria\, the closest island\, will have time to do so as well. \nThe Quinta is 2 acres of lightly undulating mostly grassy land with an area of banana forest\, endless indigenous mini-guava trees of different species\, kumquats\, native orange limes and passion fruit.  It is totally enclosed with traditional lava rock walls and very private.  A central higher area with eucalyptus and criptomeria will provide support for an ocean-view platform and hammocks to chill.  The vision and design for the whole Ecovillage is already in the works and this lucky group of students will be the ones to initiate the first liveable cob building on the island. A few years ago another workshop built a sauna which students can visit on the weekend. \nClaudine will be hosting and teaching the workshop with the support of local assistants who will help wih food preparation and site preparation. \n  \nPROJECT\n\n  \n\n\nThis Advanced Cobber Certification training offers a complete foundation to roof build over a period of 5 weeks. We will be building the island and the Quinta’s first complete cob studio from lava rock foundation to reciprocal green roof\, our trademark structure for the Advanced Cobber Certification Courses. The structure will be between 12-15m2 depending on the size of the class. Usually about 1m2 per student. We will be using local clay soil\, sand and either straw bales or other wild local grasses. \nThe foundation will be built in Week 1 from the local lava rock on and near the land using lime and sand mortar.  On Day 5 we will also pour the first layer of cob floor over tamped gravel and insulation.  In weeks 2 & 3 we will build the circular Cob Wall with opening and fixed windows\, niches\, shelves\, bottles\, other useful natural elements inserted into the wall for hanging towels/clothes/art work\, electrical and plumbing fixtures and pipes/housing\, and the roof connection.  In week 4\, we will sculpt and plaster the wall\, allowing it to dry enough for the reciprocal living green roof to be installed in Week 5\, along with the second floor coat on the final day.   Students will learn ALOT by building every day with continuous instruction both practical hands-on and theoretical using lecture time\, slides and videos.  You will leave fully confident to build your own cob house or someone else’s\, which is your next step after graduating from our training!  This will take you to the next level of understanding and experience after which you can be a competent cob workshop assistant and builder. \n  \nADVANCED COB BUILDING WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION\n  \nThe 35-day Advanced Cob Building Workshop consists of 25 days of theoretical instruction\n(lectures with graphics) and construction for 4 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon.\nStudents arrive on Sunday\, October 11th\, and settle in. The workshop begins at 4pm with an Opening Circle\, a Host Site orientation and Introduction to the Project.  Dinner is served at 6pm and followed by an Introduction to the 5-week Workshop by Instructor.  Monday morning we begin digging the trench for our Cob Building!!!! \nFollowing Breakfast\, the morning session lasts 4 hours with a 20-minute snack pause. Lunch break lasts 1.5 hours which includes rest time before the 3-hour afternoon session begins. Mondays\, Wednesdays and Fridays there is a 60-minute lecture\, followed by construction. Tuesdays and Thursdays we start building right after the rest time.  After class in the afternoon there is a 90-minute break before dinner\, in which students are encouraged to stretch\, do yoga\, relax. There is often someone officially or informally leading yoga or some other movement practice in the morning and/or afternoon.  There will also be 3-4 evenings (once a week) after dinner for showing slides\, videos and having Course-related discussions.  Other evenings are free and sometimes other students offer informal courses in their specialties and passions. \nThe 35-day Course will offer practical learning by building a complete 12m2-15m2 (depending on number of students) curvilinear building from foundation to roof\, as described in the “Project” section above.  Those who complete the 35-day Workshop will receive an Advanced Cobber Certificate of Completion for Foundation\, Cob Walls (which includes Door\, Windows\, Shelves\, Art\, Electrical & Plumbing)\, Floor\, Plaster & Roof. \n  \nSCHEDULE\n  \nThe Advanced Cob Building Workshop begins on Sunday\, October 11th 2020 at 4pm with the Opening Circle and Introduction to Site & Project\, the Welcome Dinner and Introduction to the Course.  It ends on Sunday\, November 15th\, 2020 after the Closing Circle & Lunch. Students can arrive a day or two before to acclimate and settle in but will need to cover their own food needs. \nThe daily schedule (subject to slight modifications due to climate) will be: \n7:30-8:30 Breakfast\n8:45-1:00 Class\n1:00-2:30 Lunch\n2:30-5:30 Class\n5:30-7:00 Rest/Yoga\n7:00-8:00 Dinner\n8:00-9:00 Slides/Videos/Discussion (once a week) \n  \nCOURSE CONTENTS\n  \nStudents will learn every phase of building a cob building from foundation through the roof in\nlectures/theory. In addition to the lectures\, slideshows and videos will be shown to support and\nenhance their understanding of cob materials\, cob building\, design\, geography \, budgeting\,\nbusiness options and legal issues. \nOur hands-on practice will include: \ndigging foundation trench\npouring gravel and inserting drainage pipe (if applicable)\nbuilding foundation stemwall\nanalyzing soils and materials\nmaking test bricks\ndeciding on correct mixture\ndeciding on best location\nmaking cob w/ partner and solo\nbuilding with cob\npreparing and inserting the door\npreparing and inserting fixed and opening windows\npreparing and inserting shelves\ninserting bottle windows and other objects\ninserting electrical wiring and plumbing in walls\nsculpting\npreparing and applying earthen plasters (2 coats)\npouring an earthen floor (2 layers)\npreparing walls for roof connection\nbuilding roof frame\nbuilding roof covering\nmaking small-scale cob designs of future projects\, time permitting \nIn addition to Cob Building practices\, the Course material also includes: \nlegal cob construction practices\ncost analysis\ncreating a cob business (building/teaching)\nassisting\, interning and teaching with CruzinCobGlobal \n  \nREQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT INFORMATION\n  \nStudents will need to come prepared for physical labor from Day 1. \nThis includes: \nWork clothes appropriate for the country and climate we are in\nWork boots or other closed-toe shoes\nFlip-flops for cobbing days\nRubber dishwashing gloves (for lime mortar)\nWork Gloves\nTape Measure\nBox Cutter\nCarving Knife\nWood Hand Saw (cheap)\, Level (2ft)\, Hammer (if possible)\nEar Plugs (roof week)\n4”-6” Diameter Round Plastic Container Lids (plastering)\nGood Moisturizer\nHat\nSunglasses\nSafety Glasses\nWater Bottle\nNotebook/Pen/Camera\nSample of Your Soil (Optional) \n\n  \n\n  \n! \n\nThese workshops are designed for people that want to learn how to build a complete structure from start to finish in a professional manner and amount of time. They are very intensive and\, while we make time for yoga\, stretching\, dancing\, music\, relaxing….all students are expected to be present and participating in all building/learning hours unless ill or have some other significant reason. This is because we design the size of the building and organize the structure of the workshop in accordance with the number of students and when people are absent it impacts the whole group and the other students have to work harder. In addition Instructors try to set up building work according to students’ preferences and learning needs. \nThat being said\, the workshop intensity also changes from week 1 to week 5. The first foundation week breaks people in with the work of moving\, lifting\, rolling and placing rocks and is a new and demanding physical experience for most students. It also includes the first layers and coat of cob floor. The second and third weeks of cob making and building are similar to the rock foundation week in physical demand but are more flowing and active in movement and cardiovascular exercise. The fourth week finally slows down and the body can rest as students tap into their creative source and design and sculpt the walls and around niches\, shelves\, windows\, etc.  Plastering follows sculpting and is also an enjoyable lightweight physical experience that lends itself to talking and sharing at the wall in a meditative rhythm as the students have bonded and shared deeply through a variety of experiences for a month. In the fifth week\, the roof is the beginning of a change of pace from the earthen building work including carpentry skills\, power tools\, hammering\, screwing\, trimming\, etc. But now the workshop is in its final stretch and there is a boost of energy to wrap up the green roof and the second floor coat\, the grand finale on the last day. \nFor students wanting a more mellow slow-paced cob experience along with time for personal exploration and experimentation\, these workshops are not for you. However you can find a more suitable workshop online that is usually for a shorter period building a garden wall\, a bench\, acompost toilet or some other small-scale project. \nStudents are required to read “The Hand-Sculpted House” before the workshop begins and any\nother book they find\, as well as watching videos on YouTube\, especially the ones posted on\nCruzinCobGlobal’s website under Gallery to get an idea of what is expected. Please bring your\nbook(s). \n\n\nStudents must tend to their own personal needs\, drink alot of water\, rest when needed and exert themselves at a steady pace. Students who cannot do the strenuous physical work should let us know before the workshop begins so we can adjust appropriately. It is totally OK to come for the lecture/theory part\, and then help the building part in less physically demanding ways\, ie cutting straw\, sifting for plaster\, hammering nails into frames or shelves\, sculpting\, plastering\, cutting bottles. There is alot to do besides making and building with cob!!Finally\, please bring a watch or use your phone to be prompt and ready for each part of the Course including meals. Feel free to share your dietary needs with CCG or the Host and bring your essential snacks and foods\, pillow and whatever you NEED to be comfortable and happy. Feel free to also bring slides\, videos\, movies and books to share\, as well as a sample of your soil to test. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nTRANSPORT & LOGISTICS\n\nComing form Europe\, you can fly with Azores Airlines\, TAP or Ryan Air.  These are the main airlines flying here with Ryan Air being the cheapest\, especially from Lisbon (19€/one way minimum).  There may be one or two others I don’t know about that are small charter airlines.  You will be picked up from the airport to go to the land by the Host. \nComing from the North America\, direct flights are only from Boston and Toronto with Azores Airlines.  Delta was flying here from New York last year\, not sure about now.  Check TAP too. That being said you can book with Azores Airlines or TAP from anywhere in the US to connect in Boston or buy two separate tickets.  You can also fly to Lisbon and then take RyanAir to Ponta Delgada.  NorwegianAir is super cheap especially off-season and flies from the US to Barcelona and Madrid from which you can take RyanAir to PDL. \nFor students wanting to stay on and explore other islands\, SATA airlines connects all the islands year-round. \n\n  \nMEALS\, ACCOMMODATIONS & WHAT ELSE TO BRING\nStudents will be fed 3 high-quality prepared delicious meals a day during the weekdays.  CruzinCobGlobal hosts always serve amazing food to cob students in gratitude for their hard work! Since this is the Azores there will be fresh and amazing vegetarian food\, which will be the basis of our menu.  Students that have non-vegetarian requirements can bring personal items to complete their diet and other requirements can be presented to the cooks a month before the start date so they can make sure to have what is needed.  We will try to meet people’s requirements of course so it is important to communicate them as soon as possible. Local fish may be served once a week. On weekends\, students will be on their own for their meals and can explore and enjoy the island’s offerings!!! \nStudents will be camping onsite with simple and rustic facilities like compost toilets\, hot and cold outdoor showers\, an outdoor kitchen & dining area\, a yoga/dance space and a cozy hangout communal area with fire circle.  This will be the first workshop and we will do everything we can to offer maximum comfort and enjoyment during this wonderful and transformational time together. The site has normal cell phone service with a 10€ sim card (3GB + unlimited calls & texts) which students can hotspot to their computers if desired. There are many cafés nearby for wifi use. There is a local Decathlon store with camping equipment if you prefer to not fly with a tent one way and you may be able to sell it to someone or us when you leave! \n\n  \n! \n\nFor those not wanting to camp\, there are also other options nearby. The Pés Verdes Teahouse is a very sweet hostel with cute patios right near the Praia da Milicias and the owner Margarida has offered our students an amazing deal!!!! For 180€/5 weeks students can have a bed in a shared room (6 people)\, full kitchen\, several bathrooms\, outdoor patios\, massage space\, great teas and vegan snacks. She also has a few private rooms for 300€/5 weeks.  The hostel is right near the beautiful black sand beach and several nice restaurants and cafés facing the beach.  Those choosing to stay there will need to either rent a vehicle (maybe shared together and which currently is 2€/day or less with GoldCar) or rent a bike for the 5 weeks.  Its only a 5-10 minute flat bike ride to Quinta. You could also walk and there may be the option of local students being able to pick you up along the way!  If you want this option you will need to let us or them know ASAP. There are also closer locations in AirBnB accomoodations\, Hotel Arcanjo\, and Alojamento Rural. Let us know and we can help.  Meanwhile we will explore other good deals with locals. \n  \n\n  \n\n\nINSTRUCTOR\n  \nClaudine Desiree is the original “Cob Queen” of Santa Cruz\, where she founded the original “Sunflower Cob Building” which quickly morphed into the California-based “Cruzin’ Cob”\, the cob workshop and building business that evolved over a decade.  Once her three sons were “out of the house”\, she went for her dream of traveling around the world on a bike teaching cob workshops everywhere every few months to continue supporting herself by offering up what she loves in the countries and languages she is passionate about.  To work internationally with no home base required a new name and a website\, hence CruzinCobGlobal was born naturally and appropriately and\, after 5 years on the road\, Claudine has finally found a new home….for now.  On the island of São Miguel in the Azores (where are the Azores?) she will establish a home and a small Cob Village called “Quinta da Vida Boa” for retreats\, workshops\, education and just plain chillin’in with friends and family!!!!  CruzinCobGlobal will continue to do the important work of building the best houses and best communities ever of course… with new Teachers hitting the Cob road in 2020 as CCG-trained students begin leading workshops and builds around the world. Claudine will also keep teaching in her favorite places and spreading the Cob everywhere\, with more focus on the Azores land and project now.  California will always be one of those favorite places\, her and her children’s home for 20 years. And the demand to learn Cob in California is always growing with the fires and earthquakes threatening conventional houses.  Africa\, Asia and Eastern Europe are calling too! And the best part is we have a “legal” Cob Code to use anywhere in the world thanks to the CRI architects’ and engineers’ hard work and focus! \n\n  \nREGISTRATION & PAYMENT\nThe fee for the 5-week Advanced Cobber Certificate Course which includes tuition\, camping and meals from Monday through Friday is: \nFull Rate: 2000€ by March 15th\, 2020 \nThis workshop was rescheduled from March/April due to CV and most students will be staying on\, so we have 4 spots open and two work trades. \n  \n***This workshop will be followed by a 5-day Cob Oven Workshop from Nov 16-20 on the same site.  Students wishing to stay on for the next workshop will get a 10% discount on tuition! You can register for it at the same time…8-student limit*** \nFor European residents and others\, payment can be made by bank transfer in Euros or you can use Transferwise or Paypal.  For US residents you can also use Zelle or Venmo. To hold your spot  in this workshop you will need to pay the full amount or a 50% deposit that will be non-refundable after August 11th\, 2020.  The balance will be due by October 4th\, one week before the workshop start date. Please contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org for registration forms and questions. \nWe always offer four work trade discounts\, 2 in the kitchen making breakfast in the morning and 2 helping prepare the site in the morning before breakfast. Each work trade is for 1.5 hours per day for 10€off per day or 250€ off either the food cost or the tuition cost.  Work traders need to pay a non-refundable 50% deposit at the time of their registration to guarantee their spot. To apply for these work trade positions please contact claudine@cruzincobglobal.org  as soon as possible because these are the first spots to go. \n  \nWE LOOK FORWARD TO DANCING WITH YOU IN THE MUD!!!! \n 
URL:https://cobworkshops.org/event/first-cob-bungalow-on-the-island-of-sao-miguel-in-the-azores-portugal/
LOCATION:Quinta da Vida Beleza\, Lagoa\, Azores\, 9560-418\, Portugal
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://cobworkshops.org/wp-content/uploads/Sao-Miguel-Flyer-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="CruzinCobGlobal":MAILTO:claudine@cruzincobglobal.org
END:VEVENT
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