This summer there are several opportunities to get hands on experience learning about straw bale construction and other natural building systems with Straw Bale Projects.
Workshops run from Friday evening until Monday supper. Maximum 15 participants. Cost is $250 which includes: three fantastic meals and snacks/per day, camping with access to shower and water facilities (what these are varies from project to project), and resource materials.
Slides, videos and discussions are part of the evening activities. Participants are encouraged to bring plans and ideas for their own projects to share with the group. No previous building experience required. These are full, fun days.
Topics to be covered:
Siting, design, permitting,
foundations, wall systems, roofing systems, stucco/plaster/wood/gyproc
finishes, wiring, plumbing, tools
Hands on instruction:
Building walls, half bale manufacture, stuffing with light straw clay/cob,
parging, shaping bales for niches or bevels, roofing (depending upon design)
and more.
- Forest Garden, Middleton, NS (FULL) - June 18 - 21
20 x 23 exterior. One and a half storey. Load bearing residence. Straw insulated floor. Cement plaster walls. - Baker's Settlement, Bridgewater, NS - June 25 - 28
33 x 18 exterior. Single storey. Straw bale infill, workshop. Cement plaster walls. Shallow insulated slab. - Maryvale, Antigonish, NS - August 13 - 16
36 x 38 sq. ft. Two storey. Post and beam straw bale infill residence. Cement plaster walls. Shallow insulated slab.
Additional Workshops to be confirmed:
- Cob Construction. Ship Harbour, Eastern Shore, NS
Two one day workshops in August (cost $50 includes lunch) Wattle and daub and cob walls for a small out building. - Thatch workshop
Location and details to be announced. - Open House Ship Harbour
Details to be announced later.
