What
We are building a three room cordwood cabin using mostly natural materials gathered from on site. Uncha Mountain Hard Livin Paradise - has trees and clay/ gravel. Starting from a level building site we (alpha crew) will install the uprights and build the bones of this structure. Using roundwood we will put up the entire roof. You will gain hands on experience and learn techniques that can be adapted for other natural designs. We will be digging post holes by hand and you will learn start to finish why every stage of the build is in the order it is. Alpha crew will get to see it all. This cabin is my own design based on the works of Rob Roy and my interest in sacred geometry. We will complete the waterproof roof before the arrival of beta crew. Then along with beta crew we will be learning about mud, making the grout out of what is right under our feet. We will be installing some bottles and custom windows and building the cordwood walls.
Where
Uncha Mountain Hard Livin Paradise is located near the geographical centre of British Columbia. On the south side of Francois lake, which is south of Burns lake. We have many ideal sites for your vehicle camping. Or truck and camper. We have a few sites for larger trailers. Black bears are a concern- so any tenters please message me specifically about tents. We are also a fairly quick drive from Moosehorn Lodge. A well established cabins and camping site on the shores of Uncha Lake.
When
Alpha crew is invited the weekend of Friday August 2nd 2024, and the course begins Monday the 5th. A more detailed daily itinerary will be coming. Beta crew is invited just as the roof is finished. Beta crew is invited August 26th.
Alpha crew is welcome to attend right to the end which is late September.
Who
Chad and Margeaux Perrault invite you to our piece of Paradise. Uncha Mountain Hard Livin Paradise. Margeaux is a student of nature and a fantastic forager. As well as a gifted baker. I am Chad, a student of permaculture and enthusiastic natural builder. I am not a certified teacher however. My credentials include the cordwood pet palace and the soon to be made just in time cordwood outhouse.
Why
Who knows what the climate has in store for us, could be warmer on average- or it could be wild extremes. But I believe a waterproof, thick walled cordwood cabin will prove to be a safe and sturdy, long lasting home. It is ideal in this area because nearly all the building materials are right here within carrying distance. This project will have 18 inch thick cordwood walls. Using the Rob Roy double mortared with insulation in the middle technique. And carefully selected windows and doors.
How
Starting from a level building site we will use fresh round spruce logs and willow sticks to construct the structure and roof. Total disclosure there will be a plastic membrane and rockwool insulation for the roof.
The mortar for the cordwood walls is the clay/ gravel I have in abundance just inches under the soil. We will be screening it ourselves and mixing the mortar in wheel barrows. The cordwood logs themselves will be collected from standing dead trees in the area.
Accommodations
Participants are welcome to camp on our land here very near the building site. (Again if you plan on tenting we need to discuss bear awareness)
Adjacent to the cabin will be an outhouse with composting toilet system available for use. As well as some sort of hand washing/ bathing solution. Camping on our land is included in tuition.
Meals
You will be provided fresh meals 5 days a week. Course days are Monday to Friday, exact hours yet to be determined.
Your weekday meals are included in tuition.
Tuition pricing
Early bird signup special:
900cad paid before February 9, 2024
450cad for Alpha who are not staying for Beta portion.
585cad for Beta only portion.
Well thought out moderate:
1100cad paid before May 3, 2024
550cad for Alpha who are not staying for Beta portion.
715cad for Beta only portion.
Meandering last on the boat pricing:
1500cad paid before August 2, 2024.
750cad for Alpha who are not staying for Beta portion.
975cad for Beta only portion.
