Build from the Ground Up — Learn to Work with Local Stone!

Join us for a hands-on, Two-day intensive workshop where you’ll learn the fundamentals of working with local stone to craft beautiful, durable foundations. Whether you’re new to building or a tradesperson looking to deepen your natural building skills, this course will give you the practical knowledge and confidence to start from solid ground.

Over the course of the weekend, you’ll:
✅ Learn how to construct a rubble trench foundation — an efficient, low-impact way to start your build.
✅ Form and pour a reinforced concrete beam to tie your foundation together.
✅ Build a slip form stone knee wall, blending traditional methods with modern techniques.
✅ Gain essential knowledge in site selection, drainage, and material sourcing.
✅ Work alongside experienced builders and heavy machinery to understand the full process from excavation to final stonework.

This workshop will lay the foundation (literally!) for our straw-based wall systems workshop later in the year. While designed to support natural wall systems like straw bale and light straw clay, these techniques are versatile and can be applied to a wide range of structures.

No prior experience is necessary — there will be opportunities for every skill level to engage, learn, and get hands-on. Email MatteoLundgren@gmail.com to register

Details:
📅 Date: June 28 - 29
📍 Location: Trumansburg, NY
💰 Cost: $350 for the full two-day workshop — includes delicious organic lunches each day. Early Bird is $300 prior to May 1st
⛺ Camping available for free close by in Fingerlakes National Forest

Come learn how to build strong, enduring foundations with your own hands and the stones beneath your feet! Email MatteoLundgren@gmail.com to register

Join us for an exciting 2-day hands-on workshop where we’ll construct cob pallet walls for a 24x32 foot post-and-beam barn! This is a unique opportunity to learn how to transform reclaimed pallets into a sturdy, insulated, and beautiful earthen wall system—a powerful technique in natural building.

Why Pallet Walls?

The pallet wall system is a perfect blend of sustainability, affordability, and functionality. By repurposing discarded shipping pallets, we create a strong yet lightweight framework that allows us to build high-quality, low-cost structures with minimal environmental impact. Pallet walls provide the perfect "skeleton" for infill materials like cob, straw, or light clay, making them a versatile choice for natural builders.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Pallet Wall Framing – How to frame windows and doors within the pallet system.
✅ Wall Foundations – Understanding the essential groundwork to ensure strong, long-lasting cob walls.
✅ Mixing & Applying Cob – Get your hands (and feet) dirty while learning to create and apply the perfect cob mix.
✅ Thermal Mass & Breathability – Why earthen walls create healthy, comfortable living spaces.
✅ Natural Building Techniques – Blending tradition with innovation to build structures that are beautiful, sustainable, and functional.

Why Join This Workshop?

• Experience the magic of working with mud, connecting with ancient and modern building wisdom.

• Gain practical skills you can apply to your own natural building projects.

• Be part of a community that values sustainable, low-impact building techniques.

Accommodation:

Participants are welcome to camp on-site for the duration of the workshop for an additional $15 per night. To make your stay more comfortable, our Yurt will serve as a community space, offering:
🏕️ Access to a shower
🔥 Indoor kitchen with a propane stove
❄️ Big refrigerator to store your food
🚽 Compost toilet
📚 Cozy space for relaxing, reading natural building books, and connecting with others

This shared space allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience, enjoy meals together, and deepen your connections with fellow workshop participants.

Workshop Details:

📅 Dates: July 12th and July 13th (8:30am to 5pm each day)
📍 Location: Brooktondale NY
💰 Cost: $350 (includes delicious homemade organic lunches)

How to Register:

To secure your spot or for any inquiries, please email MatteoLundgren@gmail.com. Spaces are limited, so sign up early!

Join us for a hands-on, two-day intensive workshop focused on the fundamentals of working with straw as a building material. Whether you're a curious beginner or a building professional looking to incorporate natural systems into your projects, this workshop will ground you in the skills and science behind straw-based wall systems.

We’ll start by busting common myths and fears around straw walls and explore why straw is not only safe and durable but also a carbon-neutral, climate-resilient alternative to conventional construction.

Over two full days, you’ll:
✅ Work alongside experienced tradespeople to stack straw bales and construct straw panel walls from the ground up.
✅ Introduce students to light straw clay to build healthy, efficient, long-lasting wall systems.
✅ Learn how clay and clay plasters integrate with straw to create robust, breathable structures — and get your hands dirty applying a clay basecoat to the walls we build.
✅ Explore foundation, roof, and framing systems that complement straw and clay construction for a complete natural building approach.

By the end of the weekend, you’ll leave with a foundational understanding of natural building principles and the practical skills needed to build a straw and clay wall — whether for a small backyard project or as part of professional work.

This workshop is perfect for:
🌱 Homeowners, homesteaders, and dreamers ready to build with natural materials
🛠️ Builders, architects, and designers looking to add carbon-smart construction to their toolkit

Date: Aug 9-10
Location: Trumansburg  NY
Cost: $350 which includes organic lunch each day: Early Bird $300 prior to May 1st

Register now or send inquiries by emailing MatteoLundgren@gmail.com and join us in building a healthier, more sustainable future — one bale at a time!