The dream of a natural home can come closer to reality by building skills towards taking it on as owner builder. Elke has been teaching cob and other skills for more than ten years and many of her students are now teachers themselves. As an instructor Elke believes in the power of hands-on learning, working on real projects and building relationships.
Below you will also find workshops facilitated by others who work with similar intention.
Join us to build your toolkit for a more sustainable life!
Workshops Summer 2009
6 week Natural Building Skillbuilder June 9- July 21, 2009 see full description here
If the skillbuilder is more than your budget or time allows, consider a shorter workshop:
Design your own Natural House-Ecological Design for homeowners May 8-10 2009, O.U.R. Ecovillage The first step to making the dream of a natural house your reality is creating a design. From choosing a good site, basics of passive solar design, over space saving strategies to choosing the appropriate materials for your project- we will present ideas, exercises, and information, share experiences and support your personal process. A packed weekend course to get you started Friday night, Saturday and Sunday Facilitator: Elke Cole, natural house designer/ builder (www.elkecole.com) please print and mail the completed form with payment to:
O.U.R.Ecovillage
Box 530
Shawnigan Lake, BC
V0R2W0
Lime plaster (for alumni and other folks with some plaster training)May 16-18, 2009O.U.R.Ecovillage Art-Studio
More complicated that clay plaster, more demanding of technique: Lime plaster is your next trick in your toolbox. Chemistry, selection of materials, preparation of surfaces and application of the plaster will be covered in this workshop. $300 includes lunch, $150 for past skillbuilders O.U.R.Ecovillage Registration form
please print and mail the completed form with payment to:
O.U.R.Ecovillage
Box 530
Shawnigan Lake, BC
V0R2W0
   Natural Plasters for a Healthy Home
June 15-20, 2009, O.U.R.Ecovillage
With Cindy Walker and Elke Cole The magic is in the finish: a natural plaster will enhance any indoor environment with its simple beauty. Learn recipes, how to mix and apply , and transform a space. Cindy Walker has studied with North America’s finest plasterers and now runs her The Natural Plasters Company in Nelson. Participants will join the Natural Building Skillbuilders for this week and work on different projects at O.U.R.Ecovillage. Cost: $ 500 includes. lunch
O.U.R.Ecovillage Registration formplease print and mail the completed form with payment to:
O.U.R.Ecovillage
Box 530
Shawnigan Lake, BC
V0R2W0
Cob in the Village June 29- July 4, 2009 at O.U.R.EcovillageCob building is learned quite easily by people from all walks of life. We work together, learn from each other and discover our connections through activity and reflection. This is an introductory level cob workshop. Technical learning includes materials, recipes, building instruction, attaching doors/ windows, building arches. We start on foot and may introduce some mechanization along the way. Age 14 and up 6 days Instructors: Elke Cole and others Cost: $ 500 includes Lunches O.U.R.Ecovillage Registration form please print and mail the completed form with payment to:
O.U.R.Ecovillage
Box 530
Shawnigan Lake, BC
V0R2W0
Please also book your campsite/ accommodation at time of registration.   Cob as Cobbers can July 13-18 , 2009 at O.U.R.EcovillageO.U.R.Ecovillage is a great place to learn. You can see finished examples of past seasons’ work and be inspired by communal life. This workshop is for those with some background in building, serious intention for building or builders of another trade. Build efficiency, good detail and connections with other building elements. Understand materials and evaluate choices. 6 days Instructor: Elke Cole Cost: $ 500 includes lunch O.U.R.Ecovillage Registration form
please print and mail the completed form with payment to:
O.U.R.Ecovillage
Box 530
Shawnigan Lake, BC
V0R2W0
Please also book your campsite/ accommodation at time of registration.
Touch Earth Touch Spirit- building cob in the land of the Hopi August 22-31, 2009, near Flagstaff Arizona
A natural building workshop bridging cultures and technologies. Please read here for more detail
Not a workshop but equally exciting:
Building as if people mattered- a different kind of conference for those involved in planning and construction July 23-26, 2009 , O.U.R.Ecovillage, House building has developed from traditional, vernacular, handmade to industrialized, mechanical and highly specialized. The natural building movement brings back to our awareness what we have given up in that process: the personal investment in building one's home, the expectation of a building that is to scale with human need rather than want, the respect for people and place. Join us for a weekend of discussion, demonstrations and connection and explore together what is possible. We invite you to send proposals for presentations. Bring digital images of your recent work and we’ll create an evening of showcasing our work. Cost:$300, includes lunches This gathering is followed by three days of field trips to natural building sites in our region. Registration is separate.Go to our special page at the Natural Building Network for full information and registration
Earthrising Foundation and Baobab Home :Natural Building Volunteer Camp in TanzaniaSeptember/ October 2009, Bagamoyo Tanzaniaplease visit our special page for description and application
other places to look for cob workshops:
http://cobworkshops.org www.naturalbuildingnetwork.org www.cobworks.com
Inquiries for workshops welcome! If you are interested in hosting a workshop talk to me. Your project will have to suit the needs of facilitating a group. Natural House Design: 2 day and one evening format that fits for a weekend This workshop can be held in a livingroom or a hall. A good offer for an organisation interested in promoting natural building awareness. Cob building: from 4 days to weeks Natural Building: Make the connection between the materials. Suitable for a hybrid project Natural finishes: Cob or Strawbale houses as well as natural renovation can be explored
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