Women's Natural Building Workshop @ Lazuz
Oh, just another life-changing experience!
Upon completion of my permaculture design course (where we spent just one day on natural building), I was already looking 6 months ahead and planning to register for the Women’s Natural Building Collective’s 12-day workshop outside of São Luis, Portugal. I didn’t have super specific reasons for signing up aside from the fact that it sounded like fun and I already knew one of the instructors.
“What’s natural building?”
This is the first thing most people asked after I’d tell them about my upcoming workshop. I’d typically respond that it’s “building a house out of mud and sticks,” which isn’t wrong, but here’s a much better answer pulled from our course handout:
Natural Building is the use of local, natural materials to construct a building. However, we will learn that it is also so much more than this; it is the long awaited shift in paradigm that is necessary and essential for the future of our planet.
Our current building industry is one of the most toxic, wasteful, and environmentally damaging industries in the world, responsible for 40% of annual global CO₂ emissions!
When we build naturally, we build consciously: understanding the holistic design of the house, sourcing local, non-toxic materials, using renewable resources, and implementing design strategies so the building responds to the environment it will live in, even increasing biodiversity and benefiting the ecosystem it is built in. What a contrast to how current buildings are constructed! Now is the time to change!
The advantages of natural building are many:
lower cost
low environmental impact
customized, beautiful design
promotes connection to the space and to nature
uses non-toxic, natural materials
naturally regulates inside temperature
easy repairs (if you build it yourself) and recycling at end of life
adapted to the climate (e.g., earthen homes are naturally fire-resistant!)
builds community (if you build with friends)
empowering & fun!
What we learned
While we got a theoretical overview of Earthbags/Superadobe, Hyperadobe, Rammed Tires, Rammed Earth, and some other building techniques, we got hands-on experience building with Cob, Wattle & Daub, Adobe Bricks, and Slip Straw.
But before we got to work on the varied walls, we first had to finish installing the timber frame, rubble trench foundation, and stem wall.
Then, after making some progress on the walls, we put on the reciprocal roof!
As we continued building up the walls, we also framed and installed some of the windows.
Last but not least, we got to play with plasters.
This was all done between delicious vegetarian meals, scenic outdoor showers, and cozy nights in our tents and sleeping bags.
But in a way, the building was just a backdrop for something deeper…
Building a structure with natural materials is an empowering, humbling and inspiring experience, and building with only women creates a sacred, safe and supported sisterhood. We will connect with the earth, with ourselves, with each other and with these ancient building techniques which are silently ingrained in all of us. Together we will tap into this hidden knowledge and bring to life the skills and magic to create your own home.
- Pulled from the WNBC site
Aside from the fact that we could freely be topless1 whenever we pleased (power tools and splinters be damned!), living and working in the presence of only women was an extremely powerful experience. Egos were seemingly nowhere to be found, and the abundance of feminine energy lent itself to effortless communication and cooperation. Sure, we were building a house; but we were also forging deep (hopefully-lifelong) connections! We chatted into the nights, gathered under the full moon, shared a glorious day at the beach, and generally danced, sang, and laughed a lot.
While it naturally took a couple of days to come out of our shells and really connect, by the last day’s closing circle we were all unabashedly weeping as we shared our gratitude for the experience and each other. (Then, we ceremoniously burned our tear-filled tissues like the witches we are!) It felt like we’d known each other for much longer than 12 days, and it was all such a balm for my heretofore boy-crazy soul.
Prior to the workshop, I had acknowledged that an all-women course probably wouldn’t result in the meet-cute I’m constantly hoping for. “Maybe someone will have a brother!” I had joked to friends. By the end of the workshop, I realized how myopically focused I’d been on men since… I dunno, puberty? In my relentless search for a mate, I had never considered that being part of a strong community of women could provide me with much of the care, support, and companionship I’d been assuming I could only get from a romantic partnership. Silly me!
That wasn’t my only aha moment (I’m thinking of becoming a Van Girl!), and I wasn’t the only one having them. It was a magical experience for many of us, which is why it’s so exciting that we’ve been invited back to continue building next Spring. I certainly plan on being there—this time, hopefully with a longer-term visa.
Now, who wants a house tour??
Where I’ve been / Where I’m going
I was in Granada & Malaga Oct 7-12,
I’ve been in Barcelona since Oct 13, and
Tomorrow (Oct 22), I fly to Seville for an “experience week” at a nearby intentional community.
After that, I go to Ericeira, Portugal on Oct 30 for a month and a half—hallelujah! I’m verrrrrrrrrrrrry excited to stay put for a while.
Spain updates will likely be sent at the beginning of November. ¡Hasta luego!
It was quite difficult to find boob-free photos to include.
This is great! So glad you are having such a joyful, meaningful experience. I’m going to send your birthday card to your mom, and you’ll get it eventually.
wow this is so cool :')❤️❤️