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.
Cobworks and O.U.R. Ecovillage Summer Internship Extravaganza!
Summer 2013
Every once in awhile, planets align and a magical combination of the right people and the right place come together for an extra special cob workshop offering.
This summer, give yourself a month of amazing creativity, cob construction, general building skills development, and community connections….all on one of the most built out natural building/permaculture demonstration sites in North America. In this course you have the opportunity to bring together the teachings of one of the founders of natural building revitalization in Canada, Pat Hennebery of Cobworks, with a whole village culture of collective action at OUR ECOVILLAGE in Shawnigan Lake, B.C.
Check out the photos of past Cobworks projects and apprenticeships on this website and then head on over to O.U.R. Ecovillage to read a full description of what's in store for this AMAZING course and to register. (It's gonna be a good one!…)
COB IN MEXICO 2013
March 17th to April 17th 2013
Well it's that time again to think about Cobwork's 2013 cob workshop in Obregon, Sonora. The month long course will take place in March/April; the exact dates to be announced. The project is an 700 sq.ft. house, which will feature earthen floors, full kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms. With this workshop you will gain many of the skills and confidence to begin planning to build your own cob home. Wood is very expensive and prone to termites, so we will focus on using much recycled and local materials. We have local residents who will also be working alongside us, as we relearn these ancient earthbuilding skills. Also a great chance to practise your Spanish.
During the month long course, participants will learn how to:
There will also be daily theory classes where we will cover:
Ciudad Obregon is the second largest city in the northern Mexico state of Sonora with a population of 450,000. It is 326 miles south of the border with Arizona. The primary activities in the city are agricultural, industry, cattle farming, fishing, aquacu lture and tourism. 50 KM south of the city is Huivulai Island in the sea of Cortes, which is surrounded by beautiful beaches and a sanctuary for many species of birds. Diving, swimming, fishing and boat tours are all available.
The camping on site will be secure, have showers, washrooms and an outdoor kitchen. Local, organic [when available] and wholesome meals will be provided on all workshop days. Depending on the group, side meat dishes may be provided. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions so we can accommodate you. Stores, internet access, shopping, ATM and laundry facilities are all close by. Days off will be free to explore many of the local sites and abundant natural beauty of the area. Aside from learning about cob, this will be a wonderful opportunity to live in another culture, study a second language and meet like minded people who can help you on your own cob project. Oh yeah, it also takes a goodly slice out the cold winter blues.
If you have any questions please contact me at pat@cobworks.com. The price of the month long workshop is $1500 US or $2500 for couples. This includes camping, workshop meals and instruction. From the airport at Hermasillo, you will have a 2 hour bus ride to Obregon, where we will meet you. I am looking at taking the train from Vancouver to Phoenix and taking a bus to Obregon. You can register by sending a certified cheque or international postal money order for $750 US or CAN FUNDS per participant, payable to:
Kit Maloney (my wife)
S-10 C-103
Mayne Island, B.C.
V0N 2J2 Canada
The remainder of the fee can be paid on arrival. Looking forward to meeting a new crew and cobbing with all of you. I am planning on arriving early to prep the site and order materials. Hasta luego.
Patrick
P.S. Recommended reading- THE HAND SCULPTED HOUSE by Ianto Evans, LITTLE HOMES ON A SMALL PLANET by Shay Soloman, TINY HOMES, SIMPLE SHELTERS by Lloyd Kahn and A PATTERN LANGUAGE by Christopher Alexander.
Here is the project description by our host Rigoberto Huerta.
In Mexico there are many poor people who live in makeshift cardboard homes in rural and urban areas. Some years ago I worked as a volunteer helping people who lost their homes to a storm in the region. It was a very shocking experience, mainly because most of the houses that were destroyed, could have been built with proper materials and this tragedy averted.
Now that we know that there are natural building techniques which take advantage of materials that are local, safe, strong and healthy. With that concern and the desire of helping people improve their standard of living, we are planning to start a non profit organization for the purpose of teaching this construction method using cob. This will benefit families, society and the environment.
Where do we want to go with this organization?
Our goal is to to establish a new culture in the construction of houses. We want to help people to improve their standard of living and education. In our country there are many economic, cultural, educational and spiritual needs. Our vision is to transform these poor neighbourhoods, into prosperous self sustaining communities.
How do we plan to do this?
We plan to replace unsafe cardboard houses and build in their place, beautiful cob homes. Building materials will be acquired through sponsorships and voluntary contributions and the labor through volunteers who wish to help the beneficiary families and learn these these building methods.
People who want to construct their own home, will be asked to attend a course of self-improvement so they have a better opportunity of succeeding. Once the house is built, it will be offered to the beneficiary family. Since these houses of mud are seen as something fragile and related to poverty, it is necessary to break this paradigm and show all the benefits of this type of construction.
This House that we want to build, with the help of Cobworks, will be the spearhead for this project. The father of my wife has offered to finance this project, so can we learn to build and have a model house. It will be on his land and he and his wife will live in this house.
Rigoberto