We are excited to invite you on a jam packed, 5 day, unique introduction to the world of natural building, led by The Women's Natural Building Collective. You will gain a clear understanding, and hands on experience, of the theory and practice of natural building in a safe and supported environment. 

REGISTER HERE

Who is the workshop for?

This workshop is for all genders that is interested in building with natural materials and wants to begin their journey to build a natural home. It is for people of any age, gender and physical ability; no one is excluded from building with earth, we embrace our diversity and differences, our strengths and weaknesses; we can all play an important role in the building process no matter how big or small. This workshop is for your personal development and is designed so that every individual walks away feeling inspired and confident to continue to build with natural materials.

What will I learn in the workshop? What will we build?

During our 5 days together we will dive into the world of natural building; putting theory into practice from day one by getting our hands and feet connected with the raw materials, learning by doing and experimenting, whilst creating a variety of wall systems for a timber framed round house. 

You will learn how to:

• Understand the basics of Natural Building theory

• Test clay sub-soils and use the results to create the perfect earth mix

• Learn about ecological foundation systems

• Make adobe bricks and learn how to build with them

• Mix and work with cob in different forms

• Mix and apply slip straw

• Learn how to safely use and work with power tools

• Learn about basic woodworks

Daily flow:

7:30 Breakfast

8:30 Morning session with tea break

12:30 Lunch

15:00 Afternoon session with tea break

18:30 Pack up

19:30 Dinner

20:30 Evening Activity (optional)

Where are we building?

We are excited to be collaborating on the beautiful project of Val Da Tras, 12 hectares of wild landscape surrounded by rolling hills, glistening lakes and stunning, panoramic views. The project is founded by Malina (holistic ayurvedic health coach) and Nico (artist and self-taught carpenter), both german expats, met and fall in love in Portugal. From the very beginning, the two shared their vision of a self-determined life in harmony with nature.

After years of searching, they found their root-place far out in the middle of a small mountain range in the Alentejo with unique natural surrounding, a very special peace and quiet, and stunning views of the Monchique mountains.

For two years now, they have been working on creating the necessary structure to transform this wild paradise into a self-sufficient oasis, a healing space for themselves and others.

Sustainability, living completely off-grid and in harmony with nature are not just empty phrases in their case. The two go deep on their path and take both their health and their ecological footprint seriously. The next step, building a small house from local natural materials, is therefore both their dream and an educational adventure and they are full of joy to be able to share it with you ..!