[Humanpowered] Debt-free and Carbon-free Building?...Come Learn How!

Sat Mar 28 16:10:13 PDT 2015

(This can also be read at cob.lasqueti.ca/blog <http://cob.lasqueti.ca/blog>and 
you are welcome to forward this widely. Thanks, Dave)

A few days ago, I showed you how Cob, and Fast Cob! 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html>in 
particular, can be used to build a home without the need to go into debt.  It's 
true: no loans or years of savings are needed to build naturally!  For instance, 
a 400 sq. ft. one bedroom cottage would cost less than $4,000.  You read that 
right - there are only 3 zeros in that pricetag.  For the complete breakdown, 
just visit cob.lasqueti.ca/blog <http://cob.lasqueti.ca/blog>

Climate Change is another reality and it isn't going to stop unless we change 
our civilized ways...and soon!  Today, building is a huge source of carbon 
emissions, both in the manufacture of homes and offices as well as the heating 
and cooling of them. Fast Cob! 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html>compares 
to conventional building practices in terms of speed, but there's no comparison 
when it comes to carbon-emissions, toxics creation, after-life disposal, 
heating/cooling, and length of service life.

Check it out:
Fast Cob! 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html> 
(vs. conventional)

  * Zero emissions: we don't use machines!  Our building sites are safe and fun
    for all ages (conventional building uses loud, dangerous machines that emit
    carbons and toxics both on-site and off)
  * Sand, clay and straw melt back into the earth when the building is abandoned
    (instead of multiple layers of plastic, glued chipboard, gyproc, toxic
    paints, etc.);
  * Fast Cob!
    <http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html>acts
    as a thermal mass: it can be passively heated by the sun, and wood stoves
    can be placed _against_ the walls!  When the heat source stops, the walls
    then release heat maintaining a comfortable temperature.  In the summer
    heat, it naturally cools but literally sucking the heat out of the air
    (conventional buildings are typically heated by natural gas (CO2 and toxics)
    and electricity (which is created by burning gas, oil, or coal [CO2 and
    toxics] or dams [flooding/tranmission lines]; solar and wind can't keep up
    to such high-consumption use)
  * As long as a roof is maintained,
    <http://cob.lasqueti.ca/appas-fast-cob---how-to-mix-and-build-yourself-a-beautiful-home.html>Fast
    Cob!
    <http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html> buildings
    will last 3 or more centuries (vs. decades at most for particle board
    buildings today).

Some form of Cob has been around for as long as humans have existed, but Fast 
Cob! 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html> is 
a brand new way of building that literally builds on these millennia of 
experience by making Natural Building easier and feasible for anyone who is 
physically able.  It is not only carbon-free, it's faster and easier than any 
other Natural Building technique.

And for 2015, we have five different opportunities for you to learn our Fast 
Cob! 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html>technique 
as well as...

  * May 9-16, 2015: install 2×6 tongue & groove flooring and focus on narrow
    interior walls;
  * June 6-13, 2015: use a block and tackle to lift pallets of cob to the 2nd
    floor, so you’ll see how to easily lift without electricity or expensive tools;
  * July 4-11, 2015: install a glass and metal roof in the shape of
    half-a-heart.  We’ll lay the roof beams on and tie them in so the winter
    storms don’t lift them off again;
  * August 1-8, 2015: install a second roof in the shape of half-a-heart, which
    will be all metal; and
  * August 15-22, 2015: finish walls in multiple ways, how to mix and use a
    gorgeous natural plaster, and mix and use a natural paint.

All workshops feature instruction in design, foundations, roofing, plumbing, 
electrical, installing doors and windows, and sourcing and testing building 
materials.

Warning: these workshops are filling up fast!

This year, we can offer real beds for those that don't want to camp in their own 
tent.  For a modest extra fee (camping in your own tent is included in our 
workshop package), you can choose between:

 1. our Guest Prospector Tent on a cedar platform with a Queen-sized bed, chest
    of drawers, and tarped in kitchen with running water, or
 2. our Guest Cob House with single or Queen bed that overlooks our luscious garden.

We limit each workshop to 6 active participants so you will get maximum exposure 
to our training and lots of space to create the body memory you'll need to take 
Fast Cob! anywhere you want to build.

*Until midnight on March 31, 2015, you can enjoy any of our 6 day intensive 
Learn-to-Build-from-the-Ground-UP Fast Cob! workshops for only $650...that's 
/almost 20% off our regular rate/.*

Please also note that women and families are especially encouraged to apply.  
Fast Cob! is safe and fun for all ages, genders, and orientations.  Last year, 
our ages ranged from 9 to 68, while previous years saw 4, 6, and 8 year olds 
having the time of their lives.

Here is some more feedback from past workshop participants:

*"**Wonderful, challenging, thought-provoking, exhausting, delicious, green, 
delightful in every way."*

"**My experience at the workshop was empowering and a wonderful learning 
experience in natural building and collaboration.**"

"*Instruction was excellent. Dave knows and lives cob and this is evident in his 
responses to questions posed by workshop attendees.*"

"*You always had thoughtful and insightful answers to any of my questions...I 
liked how the pace was determined by the participants.*"

“*It was empowering!  I really feel like in a short week like I can get going on 
building my own cob house!*”

“*Learning what we needed to know as we put it to practical use rather than 
spending a lot of time on theory was a useful approach for me.*”

*If you've been wanting to build your dream but don't want to go into debt or 
harm our planet any further, here's your chance to make that change!
*
Simply go to *cob.lasqueti.ca/workshops 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/workshops.html>*and fill in the form at the 
bottom**.**I'll be in touch soon to help you on your way...

P.S. If you missed any of my previous messages about the benefits of Fast Cob! 
and how you can use it yourself to live the life you've always wanted, please 
visit cob.lasqueti.ca/blog <http://cob.lasqueti.ca/blog>.

Together, we /can/ survive Climate Change...but let's not delay any longer!

You'll also find _free_ online Fast Cob! training videos here 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-listaccess-our-training-videos.html>...heck, 
you may not even need to take a workshop to get yourself building with ease and 
joy!  Let's spread the word so this planet doesn't burn us all up...
-- 

Dave Olsen

web: cob.lasqueti.ca 
<http://cob.lasqueti.ca/join-our-mailing-list-for-free-access-to-our-training-videos.html>email: 
cob at lasqueti.ca <mailto:cob at lasqueti.ca>phone: 877.873.1797 or 604.216.6700

Build your dream...easier, faster, and more affordably with Cob!

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