Workshop Schedule
Cobworks offers a number of workshops throughout the year in various locations. We're always adding new workshops and events, so be sure to check back often.
Apprenticeship Program 2010
June 20th-August 20th
Cobworks is currently seeking 4-6 apprentices to build with us this summer. During the course, apprentices will learn how to:
- build a dry-stack stone foundations while working with a minimal amount of concrete
- select and collect sustainable roundwood from forest
- run a small bandsaw mill; turning logs to lumber
- design and build a greywater system and composting toilet
- learn to safely operate power construction tools
- build a round post & beam log frame building, using a quick and strong notching method
- install an earthen floor with radiant heating
For the first 3 weeks we will be building a stone foundation and earthen floor for a 1,000sq.ft. recording studio. We will also be building the post and beam frame and milling the rafters. Cob and Community runs from July 11th-24th. We expect 12-16 additional participants for this event.
For the final 3 weeks we will be finish building and prepping the cob walls and getting the roof on. We will also use a tractor to mix mega batches of cob to speed up the mixing. We will finish up by mixing up some test plasters with different materials and pigments.
Upon completion of the Apprenticeship program, participants will have the skills and confidence to take on their own project. Many people take this course to become natural building instructors and go on to earn a living in the building trade.
Participants will camp in community in the mountains above Summerland, B.C. in the Okanagan Valley. All food will be local and organic when possible. Apprentices will share in food prep and community living. For more information, please email pat@cobworks.com.
Cost of the Apprenticeship Program is $3,000.
Cob and Community
Summerland, B.C.
July 11th-24th, 2010
This year's Cob and Community will be held in the mountains above Summerland, B.C. We will be building a recording studio of 1,000 square feet with a post and beam frame made out of locally harvested logs. We will also build all of the the window and door frames. Participants will learn every aspect of cob construction: identifying materials, foundations, design, siting, drainage, mixing, building techniques, niches, sculptural elements and attachments. There will also be evening slideshows on all the completed cob structures of Cobworks. Mexican projects will also be featured. Many questions about natural building will be answered during our theory classes: grey water, composting toilets, passive solar, heating, permits, electrical and plumbing, living roofs, earthen floors etc!
Working and living together as a small community is fun! Shared meals and evening shows are a great way to make new friends. (The kind of friends who will help you when it is time to build your own dream cob)! Meals are always yummy vegetarian, and as organic and local as possible. Participants will camp at the building site on the owners property.
This workshop will give you the skills and confidence to take on your own cob project.
Instructor: Patrick Hennebery has completed 25 cob homes. He is also a carpenter, timber framer and "scrounger extraordinaire" of used and recycled materials. He has been building on Mayne Island for 26 Years.
Kit Maloney is Pat's partner in mud and mother to Ethan and Brody [cob twins]. She has been teaching cob and carpentry workshops with Pat for 6 years, both in Canada and Baja.
For more information, please email pat@cobworks.com.
Cost of Cob and Community Program is $1,500.
Cob and Carpentry
September 19th - 25th 2010
Join us for a week long Cob and Carpentry workshop at Fernhollow Campground on Mayne Island. We will be building a 120 sq.ft. addition on to an existing bale/cob house. On the carpentry side, we will cover basic power tools and safety while building a post and beam frame [beach logs] and installing a roof. We then construct the foundation and build cob walls. There will be a chance to install a door, windows, and fastenings while learning how to mix and identify cob materials. During theory class after lunch, topics such as earthen floors, natural plasters and siting and design will be covered. In the evenings, there will be an opportunity to tour other Cobworks projects on the island. Camping and 3 vegetarian, local and organic meals a day will be provided. We will be camping and living in community on the site. This is an excellent chance to experience Natural Building in a concise but thorough workshop.
For more information, please email pat@cobworks.com.
Cost of Cob and Carpentry Program is $800
Cobworks Webinar
Have you ever thought about taking a Natural Building /Cob workshop? What exactly is a cob house? Can I build my own cob house? Can a cob house have plumbing, electrical and heating like a "conventional" house? How much does a cob house cost?
These are some of the many email questions answered everyday. Perhaps it's time to take a webinar course with Patrick Hennebery of Cobworks on Mayne Island, British Columbia. He has built 25 cob homes and taught over 40 natural building workshops since 1997. In the first 1.5 hour seminar, there will be a overview slideshow of beautiful cob homes Cobworks has built. After the show, questions will be answered personally by Patrick. In the following months, some individual topics covered will be:
- passive solar siting, foundations & drainage
- identifying materials, mixing & wall construction
- earthen floors and natural plasters
- post and beam frames, roof designs & cob/wood carpentry
- heating with rocket stoves, woodstoves, Rumford fireplaces & ovens
- composting toilets and greywater systems
- codes, permits & acquiring land
- rough local lumber & recycled materials
- each cob house built will be featured along with all the individual costs of construction
- personal interviews with cob homeowners
- virtual cob tours
- apprentice ship program at Deaconvale Farm
To register please click on COBWORKSWEBINAR.