Building Workshops

Ancient Remedies: One World - One Tribe.

How to Build with Straw Bale and Plaster in Mud.

November 8th and 9th, 2008

call for individually tailored workshops

Two days of learning how you can create your own home/building using Straw Bales. Benefits include:- high insulation values, environmental benefits, sound proofing, unskilled labour, speedy erection, suits group involvement, fire resistance, and easy to construct.

Earthen Plaster leaves out the harshness of cement, lime and chicken wire by using earth, sand, manure, vegetable oil and straw to successfully plaster your house. Create a non-toxic home environment at minimal cost using materials from your own land.

After much research and personal experience with straw building this workshop is being presented by earth-friendly owner/builders Sue Ewart and Don O'Connor.

Sue has a background in teaching, chefing and personal development work. She is reveling in the hands-on and group building aspects of this medium.

Don has a history in agriculture and of environmental concern having written regularly for Earth Garden Magazine. He sees this building style as being beneficial for the land and the people who choose to live and work in them.

Sue and Don have been influenced by the straw bale buildings they have seen on their trips to New Mexico & Arizona, as well as Athena Steen's beliefs as put forward in the Straw Bale Book.

Topics covered:

Introduction to Straw - varieties, bale sizes, transport and what is best

Building Regulations and Required Permits

Wall Raising including Damp Course - Making half bales - Threading and Stacking Bales - Inserting Windows and Doors

Compressing the Walls - finishing walls - Preparing the walls for plastering

Making Earthen Render - Preparing the Slurry - Applying the Initial Coat

How to apply the Plaster to a Wall - Waterproofing Outer Walls - Making Natural Alis Coats or Lime Washing to paint on Internal Walls.

This is a hands on workshop with plenty of experiencial learning.

Included in weekend will be a tour of completed houses/projects.

LOCATION:

'Dja Willam', Don and Sue's 40 acre property just 7 kilometres from Daylesford township.

COST:

$395 per person (incl.GST). Couples price or concession rate $345 (incl.GST) per person.

This fee includes morning tea and lunch.

A 50% transferable, non-refundable deposit must be received to secure your place, and payment in full must be made prior to the workshop starting.

Payment may be made by cash, credit card, cheque or money order made payable to "Gentle Earth Walking".

The workshops will run from 9am - 5pm, on the Saturday and Sunday.

B&B accommodation is easily located in nearby Daylesford. Participants may wish to camp on the "Dja Willam" property for a small fee.

Alternatively 'Dja Willam' is especially set up for camping in Tipis, and prices for this can be found on the Tipi Camping and Retreats page.

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May you walk in Peace and Beauty