We have been conducting workshops since 2002, and are excited to be offering a wide variety of workshops and learning opportunities, both online and in person, and in collaboration with others.
WORKSHOPS 2025
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Build Outside the Box - On a Budget
THIS IS A NEW COURSE- REGISTER ANYTIME AND ACCESS CONTENT IMMEDIATELY.
This is an online course.
If you are planning to build for yourself and are looking to keep costs down while building, this course is for you! With instructors teaching on different topics, you will gain expert insights to help you avoid common pitfalls, save money, and plan for success!
Cost is $147 Use discount code COB100 and receive 20% off!
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Interior Earthen Plaster Workshop
May 25th - hands on portion
May 18th 10am-12pm PST - zoom portion (will be recorded to watch anytime prior to workshop)
Topanga Canyon
This workshop is designed to teach you how to plaster over walls in a standard house with drywall that typically has latex paint. We will teach how to prep the wall, make and mix plaster from easily accessible materials, how to apply it to the wall, and what tools you will need.
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Basic of Natural Building
June 7th& 8th - 2 days
In Ojai CA
Join us for an immersive 2-day natural building experience with Sasha Rabin. 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 and earthen plaster.
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Natural Plasters and Finishes
June 21st & 22nd
Potter Valley, CA
Join us for a 2 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 that can go over the drywall in an existing home. This course will include both plasters made from found clay, including how to find and source the clay, as well as plasters from store bought materials.
WORKSHOPS (coming soon!)
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Build Outside the Box
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN April
We are excited to announce the 5th launch of this course! This is a perfect course for people interested in getting a big picture overview of natural building systems and options, from a wide range of instructors.
We are also offering a $100 discount, use code COB100.
2025 WORKSHOPS
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2025 Workshops
Schedule coming soon!
Each year we offer an assortment of different earthen building workshops. Most workshops are on the property where we live, all are kid and family friendly, and change each year based on what projects we are doing, and what interests people have. If there is a workshop you are hoping we will offer, please reach out and let us know!
PAST WORKSHOPS
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Earthen Walls
July 27th - July 30th
There are many ways of building with earth to create everything from homes to ovens to garden walls to interior finishes. In this class we will use the same basic materials; clay, sand and fiber, to create a variety of different earthen building systems, including cob, adobe, Light straw clay, redwood bark clay, wattle and daub and earthen plasters.
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Natural Plaster
Sept. 14th - 16th
Join myself and Yoshi Makino for a 3 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 fine finishes, we will cover a wide range of techniques.
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Rocket Stove Cooker
Oct. 4th, 5th and 6th
In this workshop we will be building a Rocket Cook Stove. While this version of a Rocket Stove uses similar technology as a more traditional Rocket Mass Heater (RMH), it is specifically designed for cooking rather than heating. The one we will be building in this course will be built with earthen building techniques, including both cob and adobe.
LOCATION
Over the past 2 decades we have worked and taught all over the world. Currently we are staying close to home in Mendocino County, CA, where most of our time is spent raising our 1 year old. Most of our workshops are on the land where we currently live unless otherwise noted, in the oak woodlands of the ancestral territories of Pomo people.
Camping is available on site.
