Natural Building Apprenticeship, 3 Months, Ashland, Oregon

Website for more info and to register: https://www.arc11.org/apprenticeship

THE Arc11 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

JUNE 15 - Sept 6, 2026 - Ashland, Oregon

We believe building is a birthright.

Four apprentices. Three months. Two natural cabins built from the ground up.

There is no shortage of short-form natural building workshops — spaces that offer inspiration, exposure, and first contact with materials. These have their place. But again and again at ARC, we witnessed the same gap: no space to stay long enough to understand the full arc of a natural build — foundation to finish — within a cohesive, mentored process.

What we built is the apprenticeship we wished we had.

During our three month program we will build two earthen homes. The first, you build alongside your instructors — learning by doing, every technique arriving at the moment it's needed, from foundation to finish. The second is yours, the apprentices take the lead repeating what we accomplished with the first in order to ground in the techniques!  Same methods, same materials — but now you bring your own eye to it. Your own decisions as a team. Your own hands leading the work with supportive educators there ensuring you feel the confidence and strength do do things well.

By the end, you will know how to read a plan, raise a wall, lay a floor, and finish a natural structure that will stand for generations. Not in theory — in your body, through repetition and real work with folks who have devoted their lives to the art and practice of natural building.

We believe knowing how to build your own home is a birthright. This is where that begins.

I couldn't agree more with the premise of this program, that "building is a birthright." At the very least, it can be an important expression of what it means to be human.

My wife and I experienced great joy and satisfaction from having a hand in building our straw bale home. We didn't just save a small fortune by taking on parts of the construction that we had the time and skill to complete; we also developed an emotional connection to our building that's difficult to describe, but palpable.

When I became a building contractor I wanted that opportunity for others, and encouraged clients to participate in any way they felt comfortable.  A few kept their involvement to writing checks as work progressed, but most also joined the crew during some construction phases--placing straw bales and applying clay or lime plasters being among the most memorable.

If I weren't already retired from a career in "mostly natural" building I'd apply for one of the Arc11 apprenticeships!  There's so much still to learn, AND I know the instructors and the founders of Arc11 to be passionate about natural building materials, extraordinary craftspeople, and truly gifted teachers.

An exceptional program!

Jim
Many Hands Builders