Earth-Building School, Workshops & Consultations

Free offer

Retrofitting with Natural Materials

60-minute class, downloadable resources incl. step-by-step process and finishing recipes, hands-on demo of material sampling, plus invite to FB group for Q&A
I loved the course. You are a genuine and very experienced teacher. I also enjoyed the online format and being able to connect to a group of people world wide. Thank you!
- Yvonne, NZ.

Hands-on workshops  2023/24

Adobe Brick & Cob Construction

This 3-day Earth Wall Construction Workshop has a strong hands-on focus, and covers everything you need to know to develop high-performing building mixes for both Adobe Bricks and Cob, test building materials, set up your building your site and build with both Adobe and Cob. We will be using the innovative shuttered Cob system for a streamlined process.

This workshop is hosted at our commercial Adobe brick yard in Nelson.

Lime Plaster & Tadelakt Workshop

This 3-day Lime Plaster and Tadelakt Workshop has a strong hands-on focus with just enough theory weaved in to give you a solid understanding of the materials and techniques. We will be installing a 2-coat exterior lime plaster over an earthen wall surface, discussing further surface treatments, and then refining your skills with a polished lime plaster that can be used in wet areas. 

This workshop is hosted at one of our building sites in Nelson.
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Let us ignite your passion for Earth!

By sharing my 30-year experience in the art and science of earth-building I am empowering people the world over to get creative and reclaim the ability to build their own healthy living spaces, while having a minimal impact on the planet. 

If you want to fast track your natural building project, I offer online classes and programs, 1:1 consultancy as well as in-person tuition, allowing you to build your skills while working on your own project, without the need to travel to a workshop.

From pizza ovens, to retrofitting with natural materials, to an entire home build, to community projects, to starting up your own mudbrick production or earthbuilding business - I can assist with solid advice and help you develop your ideas and practical skills.

If you are thinking of building, I strongly recommend you invest in a consultation with us before engaging a designer. I can help you get clear on building methods, saving possibilities, design principles, health aspects and much more. This will result in smart expectations and a clearer brief, which will save you a lot of money!

Building with Earth
Earth is a building material that is at once traditional and modern. It is an amazing and beautiful material that can be used in many different ways. It has been utilized for the last 10,000 years and worldwide some of the oldest surviving structures are earth's legacy to building durability. UN Habitat still estimate 20% of the world’s population live in earth buildings.

In the past 20 years, earth has advanced to become a high-quality building material: Its aesthetic qualities along with its beneficial effect on indoor climate and general well-being are widely recognized. Of particular relevance are its environmental properties, for example the incomparably low carbon footprint and total recyclability.  In the 21st century people are drawn to the environmental, sustainable and aesthetic qualities of earthen building materials.

Most countries have a rich and diverse legacy of building in earth. Many different techniques have been developed traditionally and are now being modernized to ensure state-of-the-art workmanship and structural performance. The most common uses of earth for load and non-load bearing construction are:
  • Adobe (mud brick)
  • Rammed Earth
  • Cob
  • Earth placed onto a supporting frame (wattle and daub)
  • Earth plasters

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 My mission is to make earthbuilding accessible to anyone, on any budget. I have worked with people from many walks of life and strive to find simple, sound and beautiful solutions that fit.