EcoNest Co.

In 1994, natural building pioneer Robert Laporte and architect Paula Baker-Laporte teamed up to create the EcoNest concept. They have helped hundreds of people to realize their dreams through workshops, seminars, books, design & construction.

What is an EcoNest?
For most of us, our home is our center. It should be a sanctuary that nurtures body, mind and spirit. Sadly, standard homes today are built with little regard for our health or the environment. There are better ways to build; a home can be the focal point for health and sustainability.

The EcoNest is our simple solution. Health, ecology and sustainability begin at home in an EcoNest. These elegant, hand-crafted homes utilize natural building techniques including: timber framing, clay/straw walls, earth plastering and natural, non-toxic finishes throughout. The clay/straw walls of each home are built during a 4-day workshop lead by the EcoNest Building team. See our Portfolio of homes.

The first step to becoming an EcoNest client is to attend a seminar or workshop and to become educated in the natural building system utilized by the EcoNest Building Company.

New 2010 Seminars and Workshops

Including Homing in on your Nesting Instinct and Building Biology Seminars

Click here to see our Calender

Please call if you have any questions.

News from Robert and Paula

The EcoNest Compound in Tesuque has now officially changed hands. It has been purchased by a conservation minded family dedicated to protecting our fragile environment and encouraging earth-friendly, healthy living. The buyers desire to use the EcoNest property to inspire individuals, non-profit organizations and communities to consider health, ecology and sustainability, locally and globally. We are very pleased that theour beloved compound will be well cared for and continue to serve as an oft visited example of natural, ecological building.

Our next EcoNest chapter is to realize our long-standing dream of creating a comprehensive school for artisanal living with an emphasis on the science, art and craft of building timber-frame and clay fiber homes combined with food growing, preparation and preservation. We envision a well set up shop and classroom facility, student and apprentice living quarters and an expanded food production operation. Our land search has been focused on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia and Ashland Oregon. Please contact us if you know of a potential home for EcoNest West!

In Santa Fe we have opened an office in the Railyard District with Dave Madden at the helm of EcoNest Design Santa Fe and 2 very talented affiliate builders to general contract future EcoNest homes in New Mexico. We plan to visit Santa Fe frequently in order to conduct ongoing workshops and seminars and Paula will telecommute to the Santa Fe office on a daily basis.

Stay tuned for an exciting roster of workshops and seminars in the spring of 2010.

Wishing you peace and happiness!
Paula and Robert