July 13 - 26, 2013
This workshop has changed its parameters ! Read on.

Appropriate for beginner & experienced alike, this course will give skills that can be applied to any new or existing home or structure ! Learn the basic techniques of natural building as we construct an enchanting cabin-sized sauna building. We will integrate a stone foundation, straw bale walls, cob wall with a door arch, round pole & dimensional framing, window & door framing, a living roof and earth plaster basics.

Location: Held on beautiful rural wooded land 1 hour north of Detroit, Michigan. See thatched buildings, earth oven, rocket stove cookers and mass heater on site+.
Camping on the land, outdoor showers, vegetarian food. Presented by the Strawbale Studio Natural Building Program, with primary instructor, Deanne Bednar, illustrator of the Hand-Sculpted House Book. Bio

Fee: $880 full price or $400 Work Trader* price (assist an extra 5 days and during the workshop) + further discounts for past participants.
Registration or information: strawbalestudio.org [url=http://www.strawbalestudio.org]webpage Deanne: ecoartdb@gmail.com 248 628 1887

Hi Deanne,

Your workshop looked amazing! Wish i couldve been there for it because i want to build a cob sauna exactly like the one you have drawn, with the same layout. Is there a book you can recommend me or an online resource page. I want the whole nine including the green roof and everything and cant wait to get started!!

Hi again Deanne!

Just some info about me...i live in Uruguay so sadly all the wonderful workshops that take place in the US are out of my reach. Ive had to settle with youtube videos, online books and permies.com to gather knowledge on how to build a rocket mass heater, which i did and im so happy with it that i want to build a sauna.

Ive searched far and wide and found no document nor video that helps me much so wanted to know if there was any way that you could share any info on how to get started. It would be super appreciated and im so excited about it!

Many thanks,

Karl

Hi Karl,
I would love to share things with you regarding this building. I will be back in town October 15 (co-teaching in TN - naturalcottageproject.com)
Keep in touch. I am not used to the permie website. Did you get this message?

Deanne

Hi Deanne,

Thanks for getting back to me! Ill get in touch with you then after the 15th when you get back and in the meantime ill look at the link you sent. If you prefer to communicate any other means let me know, otherwise we'll meet up here!

Good luck on your next project and speak soon!

Karl

Just looked at it and saw the youtube clip, LOVED IT!! My sauna will be smaller in scale, but it looked so cooooool!!! Great job!

I would love to see sketches of yours ! I imagined mine would be smaller, too ! If I do it again, I would try to pull down the roofline more.

Sorry Deanne, but no sketches..just an idea in my mind's eye which was concreted when i saw the drawing advertising your workshop..the floor plan seems perfect for what i want to do, but im playing with the idea of a round floor using a wooden electrical cable wheel for the floor, those things are massive and i see them laying around ever now and again. I just need to return at night and take one before the "state"claims it back again..