Introduction to Cob Workshop – Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Introduction to Cob Workshop – Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Costa Rica Cob Workshop

Dates: November 27th – December 1st, 2017

Location: Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

 

Come and join us in beautiful Costa Rica for our Introduction to Cob Workshop! We will be constructing an outdoor meditation studio at an existing beach home. This is a perfect class for both beginners and experts alike!

This workshop is a great experience to learn how to build with cob and to get a broad learning overview of natural building techniques. You will get a solid foundation in cob building fundamentals. We will be constructing a small cob structure and studying Natural Building together each day. After this workshop, you will have the basic know-how and confidence to design and build your own simple cob constructions or cob buildings.

Hands-On Work Topics:

– How to make cob (traditional method with tarps)

– Selecting and testing soils for cob (Learn several ways to test your soil composition)

– Building cob walls (learn my four steps to efficient cob wall building)

– Carving out wall niches (add extra depth and character to your cob house)

Classroom and Discussion Topics:

– Site selection and design (includes Passive Solar design principles)

– Installing window and door frames (attaching frames to cob walls)

– Materials and tools (covers traditional and modern cob building toolset and materials)

– Rubble trench foundations (Plus general foundation building)

– Drainage principles (Important: water can be cob’s worst enemy)

– Basic Electrical and Plumbing integration for cob homes

– Installing windows and doors

– Roofing and Bond Beams

– Natural plasters and finishes (Vapor Permeable / “Breathable” finishes)

– Overview of Natural Building materials

costa rica cob workshop

This workshop is a unique experience for people to learn about building cob homes and to get an overview of Natural Building. Not only are there plenty of hands-on lessons to learn from, but we will also have ample discussion and informal classroom time. Most cob workshops don’t cover this many topics. But here, you will learn all the core lessons needed to start building from this one workshop!

Plus – there will be many hours of discussions about building cob homes and natural building throughout the workshop. Its a great way to get your questions answered and brainstorm your building ideas!

costa rica cob workshop

The workshop will be held at a private property in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. We will be in the tropical rain forest only a few hundred meters from the beach! We can work hard and learn building skills all day, then go hang out on the beach and relax in the afternoons and evenings. Its a paradise. You will definitely feel like you are on vacation!

We will begin each day with a short discussion about cob and natural building topics, and then begin work around 9:00 AM. We will break for lunch at noon and return to our projects at about 1:00 PM. We will complete hands-on work around 5:00 PM, and complete the day with more class discussions. They will be full-packed days! Worth your every penny!

alex sumerall costa rica cob workshop

The workshop will be taught by Alex Sumerall, an American Natural Builder who has a focus on creating earthen structures that are healthy, aesthetically pleasing, and functional for modern life. He is the owner of This Cob House, LLC, which is dedicated to teaching people about cob and natural building techniques. Alex has a background in business and advertising, and has been practicing Natural Building since 2011. He graduated from the Aprovecho School of Natural Building in 2013 in Cottage Grove, Oregon, and continues to teach, present, consult, and construct.

Listen to the great things that our workshop participants are saying!

“The cob workshop was a life-changing experience. I learned a lot about natural building, not only from Alex’s instruction, experience and demonstrations, but from interacting with people from different backgrounds who were a great source of collective knowledge. The hands-on experience was priceless!”
Tony Romo, Texas

“The Cob Building Workshop was a great investment of my time! It was well organized, extremely inspiring, and FUN! Alex was able to explain construction basics to neophytes like me, yet he could also answer the complex questions asked by the more experienced workshop attendees. I can’t wait until the next workshop!”

Marybeth Babos, Tennessee

Click to read more participant testimonials from Alex’s workshops.

costa rica cob workshop

Lodging

There are a wide variety of hotel and lodging accommodations in the Puerto Viejo area. You can get a basic dorm, a hammock hotel, a luxurious hotel, or just about anything in between. There is something to fit all budgets and needs. Click here to learn more about the local accommodations in Puerto Viejo.

 

Transportation

Getting around Puerto Viejo is easy! Most people ride bicycles, mopeds, or walk from place to place. Bikes can be rented for just a few dollars per day and they are the recommended mode of transportation for the area.

Flying into San Jose, Costa Rica is the best way to get to Puerto Viejo from an international arrival. From there, you can easily catch a bus directly to Puerto Viejo. The trip is very traveler-friendly and is not difficult to make. Puerto Viejo is a popular town for tourists and travelers of all kinds.

Food

Meals will not be included in this workshop so participants will need to provide their own food. There are several local restaurants and grocery stores nearby the workshop site in Puerto Viejo catering to a variety of flavors, cuisines, and diets.

Click here to learn more about the local restaurants and food shops in Puerto Viejo.

Recreation & Surroundings

There is a plethora of activities to do in Puerto Viejo! So much so that you might consider turning your cob workshop into an extended vacation. Being situated between the tropical beaches and the beautiful rainforests, there are a lot of outdoor activities, wildlife tours, and eco-tourism options.

Click here to learn more about recreational options in Puerto Viejo.

Family & Groups

Ask about discounts. We encourage group & family activities because it enhances learning among your support group. Email me at alex@thiscobhouse.com for a custom group/family invoice.

Children/young people of any age are welcome to join in and they are welcome to explore through “hands-on” learning.

Free Extras!

Everyone who signs up for the workshop will receive my downloadable eBooks and over 100 cob building design documents, FREE! This is a $300 value.

  • Build a Cob House: A Step-By-Step Guide
  • Cob to Code: The Owner-Builder’s Guide to Cob Homes and Building Codes
  • Cob Design Masterclass

cob workshop bonus ebooks

Prices

Price: $399 if you register and pay before November 20th

Regular Price: $499


cob workshop sign up

If you have any other questions about the workshop, please feel free to email me at alex@thiscobhouse.com

If you have a large party of people registering, they can all register separately, or contact me for a custom group invoice.

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