Natural Building Series - In Victoria at Eco-Sense
2007 Workshop Schedule
All workshops are being organized by Elke Cole. Please check out http://www.elkecole.com/ to learn more and to register.
May 6-12, June 17-23, August 15-19, plus possibly more.
Eco-Sense Workshop series
Be part of the leading sustainability project in greater Victoria. Located on eight glorious Highland acres the Eco-Sense project is rising up out of the land. This new project started in February 2006 and already the first cob building is completed. The 230 sq ft woodworking shop will inspire us as we continue work on the main 1550 sqft two story loadbearing cob house. Complete sustainability is so much more than a beautiful earthen building as it encompasses the best of modern technologies within all of the systems. The home will be powered by the sun and wind with a state of the art grid inter-tie net metering system with BC Hydro. Solar water heating tubes will provide domestic hot water and hydronic in-floor heat for the thermal mass building. The home will also feature a rain water catchment system, composting toilets and re-use all of it's grey water for irrigation of fruit trees. All of this will be surrounded by organic vegetable gardens in the future. For more general information about the project visit www.eco-sense.ca
The workshops will be part of the ongoing construction process of the house - content may vary due to demands of the building progress.
May 6-12, 2007 eco-sense 1: cob building from the start
- materials evaluation, choices
- structural considerations
- mixing cob
- wall building
- trimming
- windows/ doors
- arches
- earthen floor with hydronic heat
June 17-23, 2007 eco-sense 2: gettin' higher cob building
- review basics
- arches
- trimming
- special mixes
- detailing
- connections to roof and other building components
- second floor structure
- lightclay infill
- team building
August 15-19, 2007 eco-sense 3: towards finishing
- aesthetics
- materials and mixes
- browncoat earth plaster
- relief sculpture
October TBA, eco-sense 4: Plaster!
- natural plaster materials
- tools and techniques
- mixing and applying
All workshops include theory breaks covering topics like off grid living, natural house design, related natural building methods, and aspects of the construction that cannot be covered in practice. Participants are invited to present their topics of expertise if they wish.
An important part of working together is getting to know each other. We take time to share stories, pay attention to our wellbeing and support each other when challenges arise. You will go home with a new set of team skills and a handful of new friends! Participants who take the full series will receive a natural builder’s passport.
The site is within commuting distance from Victoria. Camping is not included in the basic fee, but is available for those joining us from a distance.
Costs : include snack, lunch and instruction
7 days $630 , applies to May and June workshops
5 days $450, for the August workshop
Discounts are available as follows:
- early registration (register before April 1) 10% off
- couples 10% off
- returning participants 10% off
- complete series 10% off
Please note max discount 20%.
Please send us an email to be included in our monthly email with updated information on our project and workshops. info@eco-sense.ca
