Cob is a timeless, natural building material that has been used for centuries to create beautiful, durable structures. Made from a simple mix of clay, sand, straw, and water, cob offers an eco-friendly alternative to modern building materials, promoting sustainability and connection with the earth. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics of working with cob to create stunning walls, sculptures, or even entire buildings.
Building with Earth: A Practical Workshop on Cob Construction
From Earth to Home: Explore Cob as a free Natural Building Material
Whether you’re interested in building a small outdoor structure, a garden wall, or simply exploring natural building techniques, working with cob offers a unique opportunity to connect with the earth while crafting something meaningful. During the workshop, you’ll gain practical experience in mixing, applying, and sculpting cob, and you’ll leave with the knowledge and skills to incorporate this versatile material into your own projects. Join us to experience the beauty and satisfaction of working with one of the world’s oldest and most sustainable building materials!
Please also take a look at our projects like the “Compost toilet” to get a glimpse of what we do and how we do it.
Workshop dates
06-06-2024 – 07-06-202430-07-2024 – 31-07-202425-08-2024 – 26-08-2024
Are you interested? Interested but no available dates? From 4 people onwards we can reserve a special day for you in our schedule. Please do contact us!
What will you learn in this workshop?
In this hands-on and informative workshop, you will learn the essential skills and techniques to work with cob, an ancient and sustainable building material. Here’s what you will learn:
- Understanding Cob: The basics of cob as a building material, including its ingredients (clay, sand, straw, and water) and how they work together to create strong, durable structures.
- Mixing Cob: How to properly mix cob to achieve the ideal consistency for building, including the tools and methods to make the process efficient.
- Building with Cob: Techniques for applying cob to create solid walls, from the first layer to the final sculpting touches.
- Cob Sculpting: Learn how to shape and sculpt cob into artistic forms, whether for functional walls or creative sculptures.
- Natural Insulation: How cob can be used to create energy-efficient structures by regulating temperature and promoting natural airflow.
- Finishing Touches: Methods for adding finishing details to your cob creation, including smoothing, texturing, and protecting your structure from weathering.
- Maintenance and Longevity: How to maintain cob buildings and repair any wear and tear over time to ensure their longevity.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the practical knowledge to begin your own cob building projects, whether you’re interested in creating small-scale structures or integrating cob into larger natural building endeavors.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in learning how to work with natural building materials and creating sustainable structures. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with DIY projects, you’ll find value in working with cob. It’s perfect for:
- DIY Enthusiasts: People eager to learn new skills and create their own structures or decorative pieces using natural materials.
- Eco-conscious Builders: Individuals passionate about sustainability who want to explore eco-friendly building techniques.
- Gardeners and Landscapers: Those looking to incorporate cob into their gardens or outdoor spaces, such as for garden walls, seating, or other creative elements.
- Homeowners: People who want to create natural, sustainable additions to their homes, such as small structures, sculptures, or even energy-efficient buildings.
- Creative Thinkers: Those looking to explore new ways to express themselves artistically while working with an ancient building material.
- Natural Building Enthusiasts: Individuals wanting to dive deeper into the world of natural construction methods and learn about cob’s versatility as a material.
No prior construction experience is necessary—just an interest in sustainable building practices and a desire to get hands-on with cob!
Practical information
Language
English and/or Dutch
Duration
2 days
Price
€40,00 p.p. (including materials & coffee/tea)
Location
Project Naserena, La Fresneda (details after booking)
What to bring
Work gloves and sturdy shoes
Book now
Are you interested in this workshop? With enough participants (minimum of 4), we can schedule a date together.
We hope to see you soon!