the Natural Building School

Workshops in Natural Building

For 2010 the Natural Building School begins work on the Village Arts Center at Earthaven Ecovillage. Join us in one or more of the following workshops.

For a longer experience, contact Arjuna to work with the natural building school interns.

Natural Foundations: Rubble Trenches and Dry Stacked Stones

July 3-5, with Paul Caron and the NBS Interns, $245

Before concrete was ever discovered, stable and long-lasting foundations made with natural materials were in use the world over. Beginning with an overview of natural building, participants will receive hands-on experience and instruction in the rubble trench, French drain, and dry stack methods essential to a solid foundation. The simple technique of dry-stacking stones and infilling spaces with a lime mortar can be replicated in a variety of construction designs. Limited to 10 participants.

Building with Earth: Cob and Compressed Earth Blocks

August 24-29, with Steve Brodmerkel and friends, $425

Now that the foundation of the VAB tower is set and dry, we begin building the earthen walls, first with cob—a moist mixture of clay-earth, straw and sand—and then with compressed earth blocks—a dry mixture of earth and sand with a small percentage of Portland cement for structural strength. Pre-formed bricks and some cob will be on hand to lighten our work load. Participants will have a chance to make cob with the old-fashioned tarp method, as well as experience tractor-mixing and the partly-mechanized production of compressed earth blocks. A comprehensive tour of natural buildings at Earthaven will be offered on day one. Limited to 14 participants.

Tuition includes camping and meals for Culture’s Edge Members, and tours of natural building sites at Earthaven. Register for both in advance and save 10%!

For additional information, see the Natural Building School poster (pdf) or the Culture's Edge website.