here you will find frequent updates of projects, events, workshops and more
Looking ahead:
Cob house tour on Mayne Island: our annual favorite fundraisers take place May 24 and July 20, 2008. Register now to secure your place in this popular event. A couple of reduced tickets will be made available for people who can bring a van to the carpool. For more info please contact elke@elkecole.com
Workshops this spring and summer include Natural House Design, Cob building and other related topics. Early registration for workshops is valuable to us- so we give you a discount . Read about the Natural Building Skillbuilder at O.U.R.Ecovillage on Riki's blog
Early Registration dates have been extended for the cob workshop in South Texas in June. Participants will be able to camp on site under the big live oaks.... Read more
We are now taking applications for a natural re-building camp/ village support action in Morocco : Miracle at Merzouga. The application form is here
Cindy Walker has started a Natural Plaster Company Cindy has worked on several projects in BC and trained with plastering experts Carole Crews and Bill and Athena Steen . If you are looking to renovate or finish your home with clay or lime plasters contact info@naturalplasters.ca
Tanzania is very much on my mind again as we are starting the design and planning process for the orphanage of the Baobab home. This project will demonstrate building with earth and reducing use of lumber, offer instruction to local builders and be home to orphaned babies. I am working with www.earthrisingfoundation.org to raise funds and make this dream become reality.
If you're looking for workshops in natural building please visit www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org for listings from all over North America and beyond
Looking back:
First Cob bench in Corpus Christi , Texas
I just returned from Corpus Christi, Texas, where a group of City workers and I built a first cob bench at OSO Rec Center
The intention is to have events like this happen in different parks throughout the city and involve the children and youth in the projects. Way to go Corpus Christi Parks and Rec department!
Costa Rica
Working in a different climate has challenges- so many questions come into the design process and little of my previous work had a warm tropical humid climate. Observation is the key and observation takes time. We can fasttrack a little by talking to locals, In this particular situation we pay a lot of attention to airflow- working with the natural breezes for cooling.
We keep the walls shaded so they won't collect heat and work with light materials. Our choice was to make light clay with coconut fibre- a strong material abundant and local. A lime plaster will finish the surface in the future.
Have you considered building a natural home or addition? There's a team here to work with you: design, engineering and building. Talk to us for a consultation.
Call for support
As you may know, I have spent winters working on projects in India and Africa. (see slideshow below) If you are looking to make a difference by supporting and organisation this christmas season I invite you to consider Earthrising Foundation, a non-profit set up to support our work abroad. I can also offer a presentation to your group to introduce you to the work and to share experiences. Visit www.earthrisingfoundation.org
Africa project slideshow
I have created a 5 minute slideshow about the house project in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. My notes are still on the Tanzania page (linked at the top of the page.). Have a look!
If you would like to receive occasional news about natural building events and workshops please fill out the form below. You may also have to add elke@elkecole.com to your address book to avoid loosing these mails in your junk mail. Thank you for your interest.
