The Complete Straw Bale/ Earthship Workshop - May 26th - 31st, 2013

This basic project incorporates most of  the skills and techniques that you will need to tackle much bigger things (like building your own Earthship or building that dream mansion out of straw bales).  But the scale of our project is small enough for a beginning “green builder” to learn all the useful techniques for big or small building projects - without being overwhelmed.

It also a great opportunity to see IF you enjoy the process enough to tackle a larger project - and also gives you the unique opportunity to compare Earthship building techniques with straw bale building techniques (there are advantages and disadvantages in both).

This Year's Project:

During this week-long workshop, we will work on several different projects (to ensure we work on every stage of a project, from start to finish). This will allow us to do finish work without having to wait the several weeks it takes for everything to dry.  This year we will build a ""Hobbit House" root cellar with a living roof, complete the "Dragon's Lair" sleeping cottage, and construct a beer bottle castle

turret (you will have to see that one to believe it).  You will be amazed at how much you'll learn in just 5 days.  We will also experiment with cob to create curved walls - giving our new masterpieces a "storybook" look and feel.

As part of this workshop, you will receive detailed construction drawings for the Dragon's Lair - the sleeping cottage design that's easy to build and everyone will love.  These little buildings are pretty cool and might make a great garden shed, play house, guest room or hunting cabin as your first solo project. The designs are simple enough so that those with little or no carpentry skills will have little problem putting them together.  We also have tried to design them using minimal materials -  costing only about $700 if you buy all the materials new (but we encourage you to scrounge what you need, so your costs may be even less if you decide to build this project).  (more on this workshop)

Weekend Straw Bale Workshops

These workshops are designed for those folks thinking they might one day, at some time, somewhere - build their little strawbale cabin in the woods.  But before you go off, quit your job, buy some land, and grow a beard (figuratively) - best check out if you even like the process or can do the work.

The Very Very Basic Straw Bale Weekend Project Build: June 29 - 30, 2013

The Very Very Basic Straw Bale Weekend Project Build: September 21 - 22, 2013

From  start-to-finish we will learn all the skills necessary to build a small garden outbuilding  - at the same time utilizing all the skills that you would use to build a much larger project.  Sort of a “walk before you run approach.”

Our basic philosophy regarding straw bale construction can be characterized as more "dumpster diving" as opposed to "professional contractor."  We like to assume that you have no money, few tools, and little formal training.  Just a desire to carve a beautiful, natural little dwelling out of salvaged or sustainable materials.