Earthen Walls
4 day workshop covering different techniques of building walls with earth
There are many ways of working and building with earth to create everything from homes to ovens to garden walls to finishes on existing structures. In this class we will use the same basic materials; clay, sand and fiber, to create a variety of different types of earthen building systems, including:
Cob
Adobe
Light straw clay
Redwood bark clay
Wattle and daub
The course is appropriate for both first-time builders and for professionals in the building trade who are interested in natural materials. We will discuss how to find and choose appropriate soil for construction and how to create various mixes.
We will also discuss what your options are for using these materials with the current building codes and how to get permits.
WHEN
July 27th - July 30th
The Project: We will be constructing a small structure that will be a chicken coup and garden shed. We will integrate these various different ways of building with earth, while learning how to instal windows and other wooden elements, roof attachment, and other details applicable for earthen wall systems, as well as learn how these different methods of earthen building can integrate together. The structure is designed to be an appropriate size for this length of workshop, and the methods and skills learned can be used for any type of structure, from garden wall to whole house.
LOCATION: Potter Valley, Ca
This workshop takes place on the land where we live and share with several other families. There is a pond for swimming when hot, and a barn where we will share meals. There are dirt roads and trails for hiking after class, and plenty of places to camp, either next to the barn, or up in the hills.
COST: Full price- $600
Early bird discount- Register before June 15th - $550
All meals provided starting with lunch on Saturday, through lunch on Tuesday. Much of the food we will serve will be from our garden, supplemented with other local, organic ingredients.
Camping available on site.
OTHER WORKSHOPS
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Natural Building Camp on the Mendocino Coast
May 24TH - May 28th
This is a hybrid model of a cross between a workshop and a work party, with the focus on learning through doing. In the May Natural Building Camp we will be focusing on wall insulation, primarily in the form of redwood bark clay infill. We will also do some straw clay infill, mix a batch or two of cob, and other earthen building materials.
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Natural Plasters
Sept. 13th - 16th
Join myself and Yoshi Makino for a 4 day deep dive into learning about natural plasters and finishes. We will cover plasters that are appropriate for an earthen building, as well as plasters and alis's that can go over the drywall in an existing home. From earthen base coats to polished finishes, we will cover a wide range of techniques.
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Rocket Stove Cooker
Details to come