Workshop Description

Straw bale building continues to be one of the key sustainable building technologies, where high environmental performance meets code-ready and accessible technology. Straw bales can create beautiful, energy-efficient homes that are light on the environment.

This two-day workshop is taught by two leading practitioners of straw bale building in Ontario, and is aimed at giving participants a practical and up-to-date introduction to building with straw bales.

Over the weekend, participants will learn about straw and how to find and select bales; different ways of using straw bales and incorporating them into different framing systems; how to properly detail a straw bale wall to be air tight and energy efficient; plaster preparation; plaster recipes for various types of plaster, and; hands-on plastering.

For anybody interested in building a straw bale home, this workshop is the ideal place to start the hands-on and theoretical learning process!

About the Workshop Hosts: The workshop takes place at the home of Linda and Tony Armstrong, north of Cobourg, Ontario. Their home is currently under construction, and is part of their larger project to create an organic farm and permaculture centre for the area, “closing the gap between field and table.” The home was designed by Endeavor and is being built by Straworks, and in this workshop both come together to show participants how it can be done.

“Headwaters Farm is a new venture for mid-lifers Tony and Linda Armstrong and their family. Having escaped from the city to grow their own food and live more sustainably, they are converting a conventional 120 acre farm into a mixed operation of organic food production, nature park and education centre. Their first big step has been to build a new, eco-friendly home using sustainable materials (straw-bale insulation, rubble trench and Durisol block foundation, Poravor slab, earth block flooring) and systems (pellet boiler for hot water and heating, radiant floor heating, and a planned grey water sewage recycling).  Once fully operational this spring, Linda and Tony will be organizing and hosting a variety of courses and seminars to promote healthy and sustainable living including cooking and nutrition classes, agricultural and arts events, and a series of BarnTalks and ScreenTalks.”

Workshop Location

Cobourg, ON

Entry Requirements

Open to all

Fee

$350 + HST, includes lunch and snacks both days

To Register:

http://endeavourcentre.org/2013/10/straw-bale-building-workshop/