The built environment accounts for 37% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Everything from the extraction, production, and transport to how we demolish and waste materials used for our houses, pubs, libraries, offices, schools and theatres has an impact.
Using materials from the earth with minimal processing reduces these impacts of production and the waste of materials. Using natural materials that degrade back to the earth provide a regenerative opportunity to reimagine our world.
Get Involved
Price
The workshops are £40 per person per workshop. The price covers materials and the hosts’ time. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you require concessions, email Kiki at [email protected]
Saturday, September 20
Saturday, October 4
Learn how straw can be an insulator, the basics of working with bales, and how to plaster onto them or your walls.
An old method of building walls, learn how to weave willow to make a structure, then mix clay and fibre to create mass.
Compare clay colours and make a wall out of layers of clay using a little bit of strength.
Process clay and fibre into unfired clay bricks, similar to adobe bricks.
Who are the workshops for?
Anyone interested in working with natural materials – whether you work in the construction industry or not. These workshops are open to children & young adults with the supervisor of an adult. However, as we will be discussing technique and material choices, these workshops are not suggested for young kids.
(There will be an art workshop the last week of October that is open to adults and children of all ages)
Materials Provided & what to wear
We have gloves, masks and eye protection available. However, we suggest bringing your own gloves if possible to ensure a proper fit.
We will be playing with messy materials and will be outside and under a tent the entire time. So please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Boots or wellies are also recommended. Wear layers and rain jackets if the weather is going to be cold or rainy.
We will provide snacks, hot drinks and water at the workshops, if you want something specific please bring it. If you sign up for two workshops on the same day, please bring a lunch during the break.
Who is running the workshops
Joe Duirwyn has over 20 years experience in natural, low carbon construction. Currently the Project manager at Baldwin Building Services he also offers low carbon design consulting services through his non-profit business We Make Good. In the past, he was director of Hartwyn Construction. He continues to build and teaches how to build straw bale houses.
Kiki Callihan is currently a student at the Centre for Alternative Technology studying Green Building. Primarily interested in how systems can better everyone’ lives and the health of the planet, she likes to imagine what changes to the built environment can make a lasting impact. In the past, she focused on what to do with materials once discarded and has built businesses and creative projects with waste. Kiki designed the art installation for Light Up Lancaster.
Location and accessibility
All workshops take place at a private residence in Lancaster (less than 5 minute drive from the Wyresdale entrance to Williamson Park). The address, directions and parking information will be sent out after you’ve registered for a workshop.
The workshops will take place on uneven dirt and mud and there is no pavement on the site. The location is approximately 100m walk from the main road.