Oct. 27th–Nov 4th '07
Natural Building Eco-development Workshop near Tijuana Baja
Mexico
Imagine a revolutionary oasis built with your very own hands as you
exercise in natural building and whole system design principles. Imagine
a community of passionate people learning what it means to be human
beings, immersed in an environment of self-expression, of listening, and
of appreciation, while they build beautifully and sustainably.
Introducing GiraSol (Sunflower), a new permaculture settlement breaking
ground in November 2007. We invite you to be a part of this amazing
experience by participating in a nine-day course designed to bring you
competency in Permaculture and Earthen Building Methods. Imagine yourself
as part of that community…Living. Building. Playing.
This nine-day intensive design/build studio will combine natural building
techniques (cobb, adobe, stone, straw/clay, passive/active heating
systems) with presentations, discussions, exercises, and fun local field
trips. GiraSol’s ground-breaking workshop will provide training in
regenerative village design, natural construction and permaculture theory
while establishing the GiraSol information center through hands-on work.
The design will integrate a century-old adobe structure into a whimsical
new building, seemingly sprung from the canvas of a Maxfield Parrish
painting.
Led by mOceaN (Mark Lakeman), Lydia Doleman and Martin Schulke of
Portland’s City Repair Project, the Gira-Sol intensive will take place
from 10/27/07 to 11/04/07. We will be camping as a group in the beautiful
Baja desert, and all meals will be provided.
Reservations & Course Questions
Scott Ankeny
503-853-9376
scottankenypdx@gmail.com
Blog
http://www.girasolnow.typepad.com/
Gira Sol pronounced "heera soul" means
sunflower in spanish. I also like "sun spinners" as a
translation. This project comes out of the original name given to the
ranch "Rancho los Gira Soles" back when it changed hands over
30 years ago. At that time it was quite the sleepy valley, dairies,
olive, grape, barley... Tijuana, it's largest neighbor has grown
tremendously and spills towards this inland valley. A more counscious
presence is being planned for this valley as a whole to serve the growing
populations. Gira Sol has many advantages at this time attracting
interest from both sides of the border towards a more natural foot print
in the landscape.
Adobe soil is our most available resource at Gira Sol and is the perfect
material for sculpting whimsical environments. Our experience with all
forms of natural building helps us to mix building methods for optimum
structures, thoughtfully strong, and poetic.