[Scpg] Cob and Natural Building in Zipolite, Mexico January 9 - 21, 2005

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

Cob and Natural Building in Zipolite, Mexico 
http://www.housealive.org/mexicoflier.htm

January 9 - 21, 2005

	
Zipolite is on the coast
in southern Oaxaca 	

Join us for an incredible international building experience!
Learn to build with cob and locally available materials
Work alongside Mexican people
Stay in a gorgeous retreat center on the beach
Take time to enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of Mexico
Support sustainable building practices in this rural coastal area

This hands-on workshop will teach all the basics of building with cob, a 
mixture of sand, straw and clay. Participants will learn how to find and 
prepare materials, put in windows and doors, hook up electricity and 
plumbing, add sculptural details, and finish it off with earthen plasters. 
Lectures will cover design, foundations, roofs, and appropriate 
technologies. This workshop will be an excellent introduction to natural 
building, and will offer participants the unique opportunity to help 
provide an affordable, comfortable and sustainable house for a family that 
currently lives in a 10' x 15' shack.
	
	
We will be building for Pedro and his family	

Four local people will be working alongside us. This will provide them much 
needed income and will teach them skills they can use to help others build 
with natural materials.

We will mix materials by foot and build from early morning to early 
afternoon. During the warmest part of the day, participants will have time 
to take siestas, explore the area, or just lounge on the beach until 
dinner. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and hiking opportunities are all 
available nearby. Evenings will include lectures, discussions, and 
campfires. We will break for the weekend to allow participants to vacation 
as they please in this spectacular part of Mexico.

	
Entrance to the beach from the retreat
center courtyard	

Participants will stay at a beautiful retreat center run by Europeans and 
right on the beach (www.solstice-mexico.com for pictures). Delicious, 
simple, vegetarian meals and local fish specialties will be provided Monday 
through Friday.


Cost: $1,250. Participant tuition allows us to pay for building materials 
and hire local workers. 5% discounts available to House Alive alumni, 
people coming together, or full payment by October 15. Enrollment limited 
to 18. To register, send a $500 postal money order to: C. Rogmans, 7540 
Griffin Lane, Jacksonville, OR 97530.



DETAILS

Below you'll find details about the course schedule, course curriculum, how 
to get to Zipolite, information about the area, and some links to websites 
with information about Zipolite and traveling in Mexico. As always, please 
e-mail or call us at (541) 899-3751 if you have more questions!