The information below is from a program we offered in 2021. We may offer another course in the spring of 2024 if there is enough interest. Contact us if you’d like to hear updates!
What if we build our homes with readily available, natural, breathable materials?
What if our houses last for generations, and when they’re done, become piles of clean earth or ash?
We feel good building this way.
Join us as we build the walls of a 16’ x 16’ cabin in a rocky forest setting by a clear running spring.
Learn and get your hands dirty every step of the way!
A rare learning opportunity that may occur once every five years.
Strawbale
Cob + Clay Plaster
Thermal Mass
Passive Solar
Both two week sessions will be entirely outdoors and are open to all ages.
Saturday + Sunday are rest days.
Offering experiential learning, tenting on site, good water,
rich dialogue, and communal meals cooked over a fire.
CLAY PLASTER, in six unique layers, from earth to finish.
All hail the JOYFUL…UNSTOPPABLE…lady-clay-team.
ABUNDANT…CREATIVE…come and skillfully play with mud!
JUNE 14 – 25
STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION
Theory and practice
Installing windows, doors, exterior cedar sheathing
Stacking, pinning, and modifying bales
Building structural window and door bucks
Discussing designs: ours + yours
R-value, air spaces, air flow
Sheathing vs exterior clay plaster
Load bearing vs non-load bearing walls
Mold, fire, rodents, and other hazards
JULY 19 – 30
CLAY PLASTER WORKSHOP
Testing soil for clay, sand, and silt content
Creating the right mix for each layer
Making and applying clay slip to bales
Sifting, stomping, dancing: making plaster!!
Fingers, trowels, hawk: applying scratch coat
Smearing, sculpting: applying main coat
Fine sand, cattail fluff: applying finish coat
Color, fine finish : applying an alis
