EcoNest 4-Day Workshop

Hands-On Home Building Workshop

The four-day workshop is at the heart and core of the EcoNest mission, "to co-create living sanctuaries." You will come together with people of all ages and walks of life, from across the continent, and over a four-day period you will complete the clay/straw walls of the sponsor's home. There is no prior building skill required for taking this workshop; however, if you have building skills they will be put to good use.

Not only will you learn and have fun doing it - you will make a difference. When the workshop ends on Sunday you will leave behind a most worthwhile contribution–the walls of an ecological home.

You will become a valuable link in the EcoNest network and when, in turn, you come to build your own EcoNest, your home will receive the benefit of many loving hands as you become the sponsor of this experience for others.

While the EcoNest team will be your guides, clay, straw and timber will be your teachers. The more you touch and shape these living materials, the friendlier they become and the more you will feel connected to nature. You are a part of nature and the instinct to create shelter is in your genes. Tapping into this instinct is spontaneous and energizing when we are outdoors and building with unprocessed natural materials. Building shelter is a rite-of-passage and this workshop is a step along that journey which can significantly improve the quality of your life.

Who Should Attend this Workshop?

The 4-day workshop is the basic introduction to clay/straw building and to the EcoNest Company. This program will give the attendee a broad understanding of the whys and hows of natural and health enhancing building with plenty of hands-on experience. This is a good workshop for anyone who is interested in ecological building in general and who wishes to become familiar with the EcoNest building system.

This course is a prerequisite if you are interested in:

Gaining hands-on learning with clay/straw building
What it feels like to experience building a home with a team of like-minded people
Having an EcoNest built for your family
Embarking on training to become a Certified EcoNest Affiliate
Interviewing to become an EcoNest Company Apprentice

What you will learn

Tools: everyone has the opportunity to learn every technique and use every tool regardless of past experience. You can learn how to work with precision, confidence and ease.

Safety: you will learn how to set yourself up for success - to take the time to create a safe, productive and harmonious work environment.

Clay: you will learn why clay is gold in natural building and how to identify it. You will come to understand its many benefits and it's primary role in creating a healthful indoor climate.

Straw: another amazingly gift from nature. You will learn just how versatile this material can be - from rebar to insulation to tatami to roofing.

Organization: you will learn and practice key principles of management - teamwork, communication and leadership.

Mixing Clay/Straw: you will learn to efficiently make different recipes of clay/straw for north, south, east, and west walls.

Matrix Framing: to construct and erect truss wall systems for 12' clay/straw walls.

Formwork: fabricate user-friendly forms used in making monolithic walls.

Loading and tamping: skillful placement and compression of straw/clay within the formwork and proper installation of reinforcing bamboo.

Material handling: material handling is the mantra for clay/straw building - so much of construction is about moving materials and sequencing different operations. We will coach you to work smart, conserve energy, find and respect your rhythm, and most importantly - have fun!

Please Note: If you are working with a builder who does not have experience with clay/straw construction, your builder should register for the 7-Day Builders Training.

Instructors

Robert Laporte and EcoNest Team Members

Workshop Fee

$495 per person, $890 for a couple

Workshop Dates and Locations

See the Calendar for dates and locations. Several workshops are offered in 2006.