Intro to Straw Bale Building, Sat & Sun, June 1 & 2, 2013, 9:30am – 3:30 pm

& Intro to Clay Plaster for Straw Bale, Sat & Sun, June 8 & 9, 2013, 9:30am – 3:30 pm

In the first workshop, Intro to Straw Bale, we will install the bales of wheat straw that form body of the walls of the building. You will learn:

• the history and benefits of building with bales
• how straw bale walls function
• design considerations for straw bale buildings
• the basics of a post-&-beam structure for straw bale buildings
• how to shape, notch, and stack bales to form a wall

In the second workshop, Intro to Clay Plaster for Straw Bale, we will mix and apply the natural plaster that forms the skin of walls of the building. You will learn:

• why a plastered straw bale wall is a strong assembly
• why clay plaster is ideal for straw bale buildings
• how to identify and test clay soil
• what makes a good plaster and how to test mixes
• the basics of lath for straw bale buildings
• how to apply a base coat of plaster to a straw bale wall
• design considerations for straw bale buildings

Each two-day workshop will be a mix of instruction and hands-on doing with a maximum of 10 participants per workshop to ensure that everyone gets attention and room to work. No construction experience is required, just a desire to learn. Taught by licensed general contractors Rebecca Tasker & Mike Long of Simple Construct, a San Diego-based natural building company that has helped build seven straw bale homes in San DIego County. Women are encouraged to attend, anyone over 18 years old is welcome.

Cost: $150 per person for each two-day workshop ($100 non-refundable deposit required at the time of registration to secure a spot). 10% off if you register for both workshops. Register soon – we don’t get to do these workshops often and expect them to fill up quickly!