Facilitators: Shantree Kacera, Lorenna Bousquet-Kacera

Overview:
This immersive workshop invites you to learn the art of natural building through teachings, hands-on practice and embodied learning. We’ll guide you through every step of creating a ‘Sanctuary/Teaching Space’ using ancient cob and cordwood techniques, blending practical skills with a deeper understanding of natural building philosophies. An additional focus will be on Earthen Floor Techniques.Through dance, play, and community connection, you’ll blend with your body, feel the earth beneath your toes, and bring walls to life with your hands.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll feel confident working with cob and cordwood and empowered to source and mix your own building materials, often straight from the land beneath your feet.

What You'll Learn:

Practical Skills:

• Earthen Floor Techniques: Prepare, apply, finish, and seal a beautiful, durable natural earthen floor.

• Mixing Cob: Craft ideal cob blends using site-sourced materials.

• Cordwood Techniques: Learn the process of building cob walls

Integrated Learning:

• The History & Evolution of Natural Building: Discover how people have built with the Earth for thousands of years and why these time-honoured methods remain relevant today.

• Natural Building Methods: Understand when and how to use different techniques through a guided exploration of our Earthship Greenhouse, Strawbale Studio, and two cordwood and cob buildings, with an introduction to the design and construction process behind each.

• Structural Systems: Explore the principles behind natural walls, foundations, and floor systems that balance strength, beauty, and longevity.

• Heating & Cooling: Understand how thoughtful design harnesses the sun, thermal mass, and natural airflow to create comfortable, energy-efficient spaces.

• Earthen Floor Systems: Learn how carefully selected natural materials are layered, finished, and sealed to create floors that are beautiful, resilient, and a pleasure to live with.

• Natural Floor Finishes: Learn traditional oiling, sealing, and maintenance techniques that protect and enhance earthen floors for generations.

About Cob & Cordwood Construction:

What is Cob?
Cob is an ancient, earthy building technique using a simple mixture of clay, sand, and straw. Unlike adobe bricks, cob is applied directly onto walls, creating soft, organic shapes and a soothing building experience. It is incredibly durable, offering versatility in construction—from homes to outdoor ovens and rocket-mass heaters.

What is Cordwood?
Cordwood construction, also known as stack wall building, uses cut logs like bricks, with cob (or another mortar) holding them together. This method offers a unique aesthetic and reduces the need for clay and sand by utilizing readily available wood.

What is an Earthen Floor?
An earthen floor is a natural flooring system created from a carefully balanced blend of clay, sand, and natural fibres, finished with multiple coats of natural oils and waxes for beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance. Used for thousands of years in homes around the world, earthen floors offer a warm, resilient surface that is both practical and deeply connected to the living landscape.

More than a building material, an earthen floor brings comfort, quiet, and natural beauty into a space. Suitable for homes, studios, gathering places, and natural buildings, it is an invitation to rediscover timeless techniques that create healthy, enduring environments using materials from the Earth itself.

Who is This Workshop For?

This workshop is perfect for:

• Anyone dreaming of building a natural home or structure.

• Those wanting to deepen their physical and mental understanding of cob and cordwood techniques.

• Builders and dreamers eager to create with nature’s gifts.

Whether you’re a novice or have some building experience, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to begin your own natural building projects.