Registration Form Note: The information below relates to 2007. 2008 information will be posted soon..
WORKING WITH EARTHEN MATERIALS IN A WET CLIMATE(3-day weekend)
Adobe, cob, and clay-straw are excellent materials for husky, thermally massive or snugly insulated wall systems even in climates where drying times are slow. The first of this year's natural building adventures at Leela House is intended to complete the south and west walls. In addition to utilizing bricks we make with our builder/instructor Steve ("Steve-o") Brodmerkel's brick machine, we'll learn how to form cob and adobe mixes with our hands and feet. About one-third of Leela's walls remain to be constructed, and this workshop could take us to the roof. All levels of experience welcome.
Fri., May 25 (4:00 p.m.) through Mon., May 28 (2 p.m.), Memorial Day Weekend
Organic, vegetarian-friendly meals and camping provided. Per person, $225.
INTERIOR ADOBE ARCHES (5 days)
Due to Earthaven's temporary closure, only Earthaven members and residents may attend. The triple arched adobe interior wall system for Leela House is the focus of this extraordinary design-and-build experience and will complete the exciting layout of the ground floor rooms. This north-south wall includes arches for the hearth wall and the doorways into two other rooms. We'll make bricks by hand (which will have to dry for future use) and with the press, and we'll make mortar with our hands and feet. All levels of experience welcome.
Fri., June 29 (4:00 p.m.) through Wed., July 4 (2:00 p.m.) Independence Day
Organic, vegetarian-friendly meals and camping provided. Per person, $375.
HEAT-YOUR-FLOOR WORKSHOP (4 days)
Before we "pour" and lay down the various materials for Leela House's 600 "round foot" ground floot, we'll learn about and help install two zones of a radiant floor heating system. We'll insulate and moisture protect the floor from cold and damp, and then lay in pipe that will carry hot water to and from a wood-burning furnace outside the house. The final earthen, tile and wood finished floors will probably not begin until after this workshop; however, we will discuss the next steps and do some design work together. All levels of experience welcome.
Thurs., August 7 (10:00 a.m.) through Sun., August 12 (4:00 p.m.)
Organic, vegetarian-friendly meals and camping provided. Per person, $300.
PLASTER THIS! (3-day weekend)
Leela's mostly rounded exterior walls of earth and straw, thick with the promise of cozy or cool temperatures, now get a thorough blanket of earthen plaster which will seal in her climate as well the shape and details that will define the building from here out. A combination of hands-on and mechanical applications will take you through the science and art of practical and decorative plastering, including opportunities for creative work with architectural details. With Mollie Curry. All levels of experience welcome.
Fri., August 31 (4:00 p.m.) through Mon., September 3 (2:00 p.m.), Labor Day Weekend
Organic, vegetarian-friendly meals and camping provided. Per person, $225.
Arjuna da Silva:
~ 828-669-0114 ~
1041 Camp Elliott Rd., Black Mountan, North Carolina, USA 28711
