Uncle Mud Natural Building at Golden Cup Wilderness, Session 2: Making a Grand Entrance
Ukiah California Nov 1-6, 2024
The 120 acre Golden Cup Wilderness in Northern California is home to a dizzying array of Nature’s handiwork, from ancient madrones and manzanitas to moss-covered oaks and even a mature redwood grove, watered by artesian springs and a seasonal stream.
Hidden within the forest are private camping and glamping spaces, and a magical 2-story redwood treehouse and cob sauna built by the renowned natural builder SunRay Kelley. Workshop participants are warmly encouraged to take time to open themselves to the full magic of Golden Cup Wilderness including hiking, meditating, forest bathing and just hanging out.
While you are here we hope you will join Uncle Mud and family as we turn boring space into magical space using the local trees and stones and earth to build an entry-way/porch that welcomes and enchants.
Participants will learn put down the credit card to shop in "God's Hardware Store" for round framing timbers shaped by Nature rather than the plain square sticks from the big box store. Together we will pick one-of-a-kind stones for our foundation rather than the same old concrete blocks. Finally we will relearn what we all used to know about art as we sculpt walls and benches from sandy clay using the versatile precision 3D printers we were born with on the ends of our arms.
This is a relatively short workshop but it will cover the different natural building skills necessary to create and maintain snug, beautiful buildings of your own from local natural materials.
1. Hands-on experience will include a wide spectrum sampling from:
2. Rubble-Trench/Stone/urbanite foundations
3. Simple round wood framing
4. Load bearing and sculptural "cob" style earthen building
Shade-tree lecture sessions will include:
1. Building layout
2. Materials collection & storage
3. Scrounging
4. Passive solar and Pattern Language design
5. Insulation and thermal mass
6. Budgeting and scheduling
7. Dealing with the Building Department
8. Working with volunteers/groups
9. Site safety
This is an excellent workshop to take if you are considering building your own home, cottage or shed, or just want time playing in the mud in the wilderness with like-minded souls. If you have any questions about the build or curriculum please email
info@unclemud.com. The email address for questions on costs and accommodations is
clark@goldencuphomestead.org
Costs and Accommodations:
Full Price (after 10/12/2024) $650 USD
Early Bird Rate (before 10/12/2024) $450 SAVE $200!
Early Bird Group Rate (per person, before 10/12/2024) $400
Bring your friends and each of you will save!
Daily Rate $180
Half-price work-trade is available. Please email for an application.
Children may attend with their parent(s) at a discounted rate. Please email for details.
FOOD IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WORKSHOP FEE due to local regulations. Cooking and refrigeration facilities are available and typically we will tend to potluck together to create fun, adventurous meals and snacks loaded with generous offerings from local farm and forest, but we are about 45 minutes from the nearest groceries so PLEASE bring what you need to be full and happy. The spring water here is great so bring your water bottle.
Accommodations:
Workshop rates include camping facilities (tent space, composting toilets, and hot showers) at the site. Deluxe glamping accommodations may be available nearby for an additional fee. Limited RV space is available (again, please email for the latest details).
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