2012 Workshops:
Sheltership: A 6 Week Natural Building Apprenticeship
April 29 - June 8, 2012
with Sasha Rabin of Vertical Clay & Paul Swenson of Quail SpringsSheltership is a six-week intensive apprenticeship and journey into the
creation of a small shelter from start to finish, using natural
materials, at a beautiful location in the Southern California mountains.
Sasha Rabin of Vertical Clay and Paul Swenson of Quail Springs will
lead a small group of individuals who are passionate to learn and
explore. Although welcome, experience with natural building is not
necessary. With natural building materials and applications as our
focus, we will also explore the beauty of natural materials in how they
connect us to so many other aspects of our lives often offering a more
holistic approach to living simply.
During this six-week intensive apprenticeship, we will build a small shelter (less than 120 square feet) from start to as close to finish as possible, using a variety of earthen materials and applications. The educational emphasis will be on student's developing a keen understanding of the materials, so they can develop insight into the best possible way to use each of the materials/applications for specific building needs and individual situations.
We will focus on building with earth, including clay soil, sand, stone and straw. These materials will be used in a variety of applications, including: cob, light straw clay (slip-straw), wattle and daub, earth bag, earthen plasters, poured earthen floor, and some woodwork.
The learning process will primarily be a hands-on study ethic, with lecture worked in through the day in usually under one-hour sessions. We will offer inspiring slideshows, as well as a field trip to visit natural buildings in the region.
(Read more by clicking here: As the intensive is limited to 11 participants, we advise those interested inquire early. Early Bird registration date March 2, 2012)
During this six-week intensive apprenticeship, we will build a small shelter (less than 120 square feet) from start to as close to finish as possible, using a variety of earthen materials and applications. The educational emphasis will be on student's developing a keen understanding of the materials, so they can develop insight into the best possible way to use each of the materials/applications for specific building needs and individual situations.
We will focus on building with earth, including clay soil, sand, stone and straw. These materials will be used in a variety of applications, including: cob, light straw clay (slip-straw), wattle and daub, earth bag, earthen plasters, poured earthen floor, and some woodwork.
The learning process will primarily be a hands-on study ethic, with lecture worked in through the day in usually under one-hour sessions. We will offer inspiring slideshows, as well as a field trip to visit natural buildings in the region.
(Read more by clicking here: As the intensive is limited to 11 participants, we advise those interested inquire early. Early Bird registration date March 2, 2012)
To see photos of the 2010 workshops, click on the links below:
-KASSA-THE FIRST ANNUAL URBAN ADOBE FESTIVAL- May 2
Introduction to Building with Earthbag -June 5 & 6
Natural Building & Natural Plasters for Urban Dwellings -June 13
Introduction to building with Adobe- June 19 & 20
Cob Building Intensive July 8-11