Where we will be
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---------------------------Gain skills to create healthy, practical and sustainable structures--------------------------------------
Puerto Rico Earthbag Dome Intensive
April 10th-20th, 2010 - Patillas, Puerto Rico
Learn how to build and design earthbag domes. Experience the lush rainforests of Puerto Rico while you are there!
During the course of your stay, you will help to build a thirteen foot diameter catenary earthen dome at Las Casas de la Selva, a sustainable forestry project. Domes like this one provide a low-cost hurricane-proof alternative for housing at Las Casas and the whole island.
Participants will learn everything that they need to build structurally sound domes using little more than earth from the site.
Earthen Dome Construction
Earth Bag construction Cob construction Earth plasters Rubble trench foundations
Dome building is an ancient art that is still used today in many parts of the world. It is one of the fastest and simplest ways to enclose a space, and is ideal for desert environments. Participants will learn everything needed to build structurally sound domes using earth. Our design is a simple caternary dome with two windows and a door. Almost all our materials will come from the building site itself.
Scott Howard combines a relaxed teaching style with almost ten years of showing people how to build with earth. He founded Earthen Hand Natural Building in 2002, with the goal to build and promote artistic earthen architecture. He offers workshops about earthen building techniques locally and abroad. He is available for hire as artist, builder, designer, or consultant. More: www.earthenhand.com/about workshops@earthenhand.com
Patricia Boyko has been working with Las Casas de la Selva since February of 2008. A traveler, chef, artisan, creator, and scientist, she currently researches vines and fungi at Las Casas. She also experiments with the potential use of secondary forest products. With a passion for ecology and the land, she is working to develop and promote more sustainable building and development practices in Puerto Rico, as well as increase infrastructure at the project. She is our wonderful logistics coordinator for this event. Puerto Rico residents contact: patty.boyko@gmail.com
Where we will be
Puerto Rico is famous for its natural beauty of lush rainforest and beaches. There is a spectacular abundance of biodiversity. Learn about the jungle and the research being done at Las Casas de la Selva.
Learn more about accommodations at: http://eyeontherainforest.org/earthbag.php
Participants can also volunteer beyond the workshop at the center of Las Casas de la Selva to learn more about the area.
Earthbag building is hard work, so we plan other fun activities into every workshop.
Activities on this trip:
Evening Talks about Puerto Rican history and culture, and sustainable forestry in Puerto Rico Experience Puerto Rican mountain culture at the lechonaras in Guavate. Dance meringue! Salsa dance class Rainforest ecology walk talk, and visit swimming hole/waterfall Day out - Trip to beach, historical Old San Juan, and kayaking in bioluminescent bay Evening music with Andres Rua
A typical day
8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Start work building, in the cool of the morning 1:00 pm Break for lunch 2-5 pm Afternoon lectures/classes, or a walk in the jungle 6:30 pm Dinner 7:30 pm Evening programs, lectures, or music.
Register Now
Enroll early before the course fills up!
Payment Guide:
1) Reserve your spot $200 (non-refundable)
2) Full tuition payment must be received by 3/15/10. payment plans available
2) Tuition is $1400
10% off for bringing a friend. (e.g. if I bring my friend to the course also, then I get 10% off my balance.)
To Register:
We accept check, money order, or paypal.
Send your check or money order payment to us via:
Scott Howard
7155 SE Harrison St.
Portland, Oregon 97215
Make checks payable to: Scott Howard
OR
Use PayPal to make your payment (Requires paying an extra %10. This total is $1540.00)
When sending a payment, Please compose an email to workshops@earthenhand.com with the following information:
Please wait to make travel arrangements until a couple months before the workshop, just in case there is a cancellation.
Cancellation policy: We understand that in rare circumstances, people's plans must change. We are able to refund workshop fees as follows: We will refund your workshop fee minus $200 before 3/15/10, or the whole fee minus $500 after 3/15/10, and no refund will be given after 4/10/10. In the very unexpected event the workshop is canceled, all money would be refunded to you.
Contact us with questions about Work Trade, Large Group Discounts, Scholarships, Partnerships, or other topics.