Women's Natural Building Workshop
1st to 12th October 2016

For women, by women!

We invite you to participate in our workshop for the construction of a 3-metre diameter roundwood-framed, reciprocal roofed, cob roundhouse.   In this process, you will not only learn the construction methods, but also come to understand the spirit and connection of natural building.

During the course, through experiential learning, you will be constructing the frame, erecting a reciprocal roof upon it, and infilling the walls using the Light-Straw technique. The materials of construction are natural and the work is very much hands-on.  

Introduction to Tadelakt:
During the building course, Lisia will be giving an introductory workshop in tadelakt plastering. The tadelakt technique originated in Morocco and is also known as 'the Kings plastering'. It provides a smooth, shiny and impermeable surface.  Basically, the plaster is a mixture of lime and sand, which is compacted and then worked on with stone and soapy water -  a perfect finish for your future natural materials home! The introductory workshop of 4 hours will take you through the basics of mixing, applying the plaster and the polishing of a tadelakt sample.

photo of reciprocal roof from below courtesy of Rani Goldwein

No experience is necessary - only your enthusiasm, spirit and energy.  The course will provide you with the basic technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to create your own beautiful, very personal, home..

About  us...

Christine (Krissy) Lewis (Cert. Êd.)

I am a British 53year old woman and have been living at Várzea da Gonçala for 10 years.  I studied, and later taught, Interior Architecture in a UK college. Last year I built my own roundhouse - which will be our course base.

"I want every person who attends this course to finish it with the knowledge they too can build their own home - or at the least,gain  a good idea of what is involved.  Essentially, I want to share the experience I had  building my home.

I am not an architect - and have no desire to be one.  I have, however, studied house-building and design for many years and building my own home was the realisation of what I had learnt and  the  empowerment to do so - to create my own home,  where I can comfortably live life the way I want to.  The process has been intense on many levels, physically, mentally and emotionally. 

The whole  experience has enriched me.   There have been times of elation, times of despair, days working alone, days working with others.   Peoples enthusiasm to help has been overwhelming - many travelled quite a distance to voluntarily come and get involved. I have made many friends.  We have worked hard together, and played hard - several nights have been spent around a fire with good food, good music and good company. 
 
And the result - a wonderfully comfortable  home  with the energies of all who have been involved in creating it richly embodied within it's soul. " 

 
Ana Verbelen
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I have been living on and developing an ecological small-holding in Andalucia, Spain, for 16 years. I have experience of organic gardening and vegetarian cooking for groups.  My background is in theatre, which developed to an interest in - and the study of - Deep Ecology, especially Eco-Feminism.  I also am an advanced teacher of the didgeridoo.


Lisia Pires

I was born and raised, and still live in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  Little more than a year ago, I started on my journey to study and experience the practical side of Permaculture Design. The initial inspiration for my travels was a deep felt wish to discover a lifestyle more connected to nature, as well as a healthy and natural (GMO and synthetic chemicals free) diet. Since the start of my journey, my interests have shifted and extended to include natural building, soil improvement and water-filtering/reuse, with new skills learnt, such as Super Adobe earth-bag building. clay and lime plastering, rocket stove building etc. 
In my 'former' life, I studied leisure management and worked for many years in the Arts sector in the field of local and national cultural policy. 
I'm looking forward to assisting Krissy and Ana with this course.
 
Why Women?

Our role and our strength is deeply connected to the dwellings in which we live.  In most ancient cultures women were the home-makers - for example, traditional Portuguese rammed-earth buildings were built by the women of the community.  This spirit of co-operation between women is something which has been largely lost in modern society, but which is a force of nature!

Women often experience an increasing vulnerability, due to economic, ecological and social pressures, in many basic aspects of life, including housing and health.  

By demonstrating how to create a home, only from native natural materials, simple skills, and your own passion, we offer self-empowerment and personal resilience, as well as a gift to sustain our families and inspire others..       

On the course we would like to offer you a gastronomic experience based on vegan, gluten-free organic food. 
The inspiration for my style of cooking comes from a 20 year long search for a balanced, healthy, easily-digested, tasty, intercultural but locally produced diet.
I love to mix mediterranean ingredients and flavors with asian spices and ways of cooking them.

Course  Details
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1-12th October 2016. This includes 2 non-working days
€300 fee, including 3 vegetarian meals each day and camping facilities
Maximium of 10 students


Please bring  -
Working shoes
Torch
Sleeping Bag
Tent and mattress - these can be provided if necessary. Please contact us for availability.


For more information about the course, please email us. We are more than happy to discuss our own experience and philosophy, as well as the content and schedule.  
To inscribe, please also contact either of us directly at the email addresses below:
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[email protected]   or   [email protected]

Thank You.