Education,
Training and Resource Centers
Ecological
Design and Building Schools: A Green Guide to Educational Opportunities in the
United States and Canada. By Sandra Leibowitz Earley, New Village Press, 2005. The first and only directory with an annotated listing
of top programs in ecological architecture and construction. Includes a
comprehensive review of
sustainable design education with extensive tables comparing school programs;
instructor list, green building organizations, curricular resources.
TLS #47/Fall 2004 features
the article, ÒGetting Trained in Strawbale and Natural BuildingÓ with details
about some of the centers listed here. See also listings in Human Resources
List, Internet Resources, and Associations/Guilds/Networks.
ADPSR: Architects Designers
and Planners for Social Responsibility.
ADPSR National Forum. 415.974.1306 http://adpsr.org http://adpsr.org/secure/National/membership.html http://adpsr.org/contact.html
Work for peace, environmental protection, ecological building, social justice,
and the development of healthy communities.
Alaska Craftsman Home
Program, Inc. PO Box 241647 Anchorage AK 99524; 907.258.2247
<achp@alaska.net> www.alaska.net/~achp Teaches energy-efficient building concepts.
Arcosanti. HC74, Box 4136, Mayer, AZ 86333; 928.632.7135 tminus@arcosanti.org www.arcosanti.org Concept of Ecological Human Habitats was
introduced by Paolo Soleri in late 1960's, exploring an alternative urban
development in the age of environmental crisis. Learn about Arcology Theory
and participate in a hands-on learning experience.
Auroville Earth Institute.
Auroshilpam, 605 101 Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India; 91
(0) 413 262 3064/262 3300, fax 91 (0) 413 262 2886 <earth-institute@auroville.org.in> www.earth-auroville.org
One of the aims of the Auroville Earth Institute is to give people the possibility
to create and build for themselves their own habitat, while using earth techniques.
The Black Range Lodge
/Natural Building Resources. 119 Main
St., Kingston, NM 88042; 505.895.5652, fax505.895.3389
<blackrange@zianet.com>
www.strawbalecentral.com Host of Natural Building Colloquia, an
inspired sharing of ideas by practitioners from several disciplines through
hands-on workshops, lectures, slide shows and presentations supporting the
ongoing renaissance in natural building and ecological design.
Builders Without Borders
(BWB). 119 Main St., Kingston NM;
505.895.3389 <BWB@zianet.com> www.builderswithoutborders.org
BWB is an international network
of ecological builders working together for a sustainable future.
California Earth Art and
Architecture Institute (Cal-Earth).
10376 Shangri-La Ave., Hesperia, CA 92345; 760.244.0614, fax 760.244.2201
<calearth@aol.com> www.calearth.org Cal-Earth, founded and directed by the
internationally renowned architect and author Nader Khalili in 1986, a
non-profit foundation is dedicated to research and educating the public on
environmentally oriented arts and architecture, and a philosophy based on the
equilibrium of the natural elements of earth, water, air, and fire.
Canadian Mortgage and
Housing Corporation (CMHC). 700
Montreal Rd., Ottawa ON K1A 9P7; 613.748.2000 <chic@cmhc-schl.gc.ca> www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca Conducts research to promote healthy
and sustainable buildng practices through community outreach and services.
Publications available online.
The Canelo Project. HC1 Box 324, Elgin, AZ 85611; 520.455.5548, fax 520.455.9360 <absteen@dakotacom.net> www.caneloproject.com Dedicated to exploration and
development of living systems, including growing food and building that creates
friendship, beauty and simplicity; known primarily for work in strawbale and
natural building techniques.
Center for Alternative
Technology (CAT).
Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ,
Wales, UK; 44 0 1654.702400, fax
44 0 1654.702782 www.cat.org.uk
Activities address every aspect of the average lifestyle Ð the key areas
the Center works in are renewable energy, environmental building, energy
efficiency, organic growing and alternative sewage systems.
Center for Creative Ecology.
Kibbutz Lotan, D.N. Eilot 88855
Israel; 08-6356914, 053-922048, fax 08-6356842 Kibbutz-Lotan offers 10-week
sessions three times a year. Limit 10 participants per session. After gaining
experience in organic gardening, alternative construction and successful
completion of course work, participants receive a Permaculture Design Course
Certificate (International Permaculture Standards). For complete details, contact
Mark Naveh
<lotanecocenter@lotan.ardom.co.il>
www.kibbutzlotan.com
Center for Maximum Potential
Building Systems. 8604 F.M. 969,
Austin, TX 78724; 512.928.4786, fax 512.926.4418 center@cmpbs.org www.cmpbs.org CMPBS uses life cycle design to foster
ecological balance within a multi-scalar context and engages in interdisciplinary
collaborations with a common vision of healthful environments, economic prosperity,
and social equity.
Cob Cottage Company. PO Box 123, Cottage Grove, OR 97424; 541.942.2005
<cobcottage@hotmail.com> www.cobcottage.com Conduct hands-on research on natural
building methods and materials. Empower ordinary people to build their own
houses at moderate cost through practical training in natural construction.
Publications and tours, information, support and inspiration for people to make
healthy choices about buildings.
Cobworks. TP 1, Mayne Island, BC V0N 2T0; 250.539.5253 pat@cobworks.com www.cobworks.com Affordable structures from natural
and local material.
Cold Climate Housing
Research Center.
515 7th Ave., Ste 340,
Fairbanks AK 99701; 907.457.3454; fax 907.457.3456 <jack@cchrc.org> www.cchrc.org Development, use, and testing of
energy-efficient, durable, healthy, and cost effective building technologies
for Alaska and the world's cold- climate regions.
The Cooper School of
Incredible Knowledge. 2648 Cooper Rd.,
RR 3, Madoc Ontario K0K 2K0
Canada; 613.473.1718, fax 613.473.1718 <jbowen@kos.net> <cmagwood@kos.net>
CRATerre. Maison Levrat, Rue de Lac B. P. 53, F-38092
Villefontaine Cedex, France; 33 474.954391, fax 33 474.956421
<craterre@club-internet.fr> www.craterre.archi.fr A research laboratory
specializing in the earth architecture.
DAWN SouthWest. 6570 W Illinois St., Tucson AZ 85735; 520.624.1673
<dawnaz@earthlink.net> www.greenbuilder.com or www.caneloproject.com/dawn
Print resources, workshops (cob, earthen plasters, clay paints, water
harvesting and land restoration), supplies, introduction to natural building
and permaculture.
Development Center for
Appropriate Technology (DCAT). PO Box 27513, Tucson, AZ 85726-7513;
520.624.6628, fax 520.798.3701 <info@dcat.net> www.dcat.net Mission is to enhance the health of the
planet and our communities by promoting a shift to sustainable construction and
development practices through leadership, strategic relationships, and
education.
Earthaven Ecovillage. 1025 Camp Elliott Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711;
828.669.3937
<info@earthaven.org> www.earthaven.org
An evolving village-scale
community dedicated to caring for people and the Earth by learning, practicing
and demonstrating the skills for creating holistic sustainable culture. Courses
on natural building including strawbale, earth plasters, and more.
Earthship Biotecture. PO Box 1041, Taos NM 87571; 505.751.0462, fax
505.751.1005
www.earthship.org Offers workshops to give you hands-on
experience building Earthships.
Earthwood Building School. 336 Murtagh Hill Road, West Chazy, NY 12992;
518.493.7744 www.cordwoodmasonry.com/Cordwood.html
Teaching cordwood masonry since
1981.
Clearinghouse for books, plans,
videos.
Ecology Retreat Centre, RR#1, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada L9W 2&8;
519.941.4560, http://EcologyRetreatCentre.com Workshops and hands-on training in Strawbale Construction
Permaculture Workshop, Living Off The Grid.
EcoVersity. 2639 Agua Fria, Santa Fe, NM 87505; 505.424.9797 info@ecoversity.org
www.ecoversity.org An
educational and community center offering a unique land-based and ethics-
informed curriculum in all aspects of sustainability.
Everdale
Environmental Learning Centre. 5812 6th Line Erin, PO Box 29, Hillsburgh, Ontario, N0B
1Z0, Canada; 519.855.4859, fax
519.855.6531
<info@everdale.org> www.everdale.org Hands-on learning for all ages in
sustainable living ranging from solar and wind power to natural construction.
The Farm Ecovillage Training
Center. PO Box 90, Summertown, TN
38483-0090; 931.964.4324, fax 931.964.2200 ecovillage@thefarm.org
www.thefarm.org/etc Introduction
to Natural Building; Natural Building Immersion.
Fox Maple School of
Traditional Building. Corn Hill Road, PO Box 249, Brownfield, MA 04010;
207.935.3720, fax 207.935.4575 <foxmaple@foxmaple.com> www.foxmaple.com Learn traditional timber framing and
natural building skills. The campus is a learning center, a work in progress,
crafted by students. Workshops begin with a joined timber frame, and then
explore the use of natural enclosures; thatch, straw/clay, wood chip/clay,
wattle & daub, cob, straw bales, finished with earth plasters. Publishes JoinersÕ
Quarterly; A Timber FramerÕs
Workshop.
Gaviotas/Paul Lugari &
Gunter Pauli Zero Emissions Research Institute (ZERI). www.zeri.org Global network of creative minds seeking solutions to world
challenges by viewing waste as resource and seeking solutions using nature's
design principles as inspiration.
GrAT Center for Appropriate
Technology. Vienna University of
Technology. Wiedner Haptstr. 8-10, A-1040 Wien, Austria; +43/1/588 01 49 523,
fax +43/1/7864205 <hohensin@mail.zserv.tuwien.ac.at> www.grat.tuwien.ac
at Methodology for Product Service
System Innovation.
Groundworks. PO Box
381, Murphy, OR 97533; 541.471.3470 <cobalot@hotmail.com>
www.cpros.com/~sequoia
Hands-on workshops and training in cob construction. WomenÕs Natural Building
Symposium.
Heartwood School. Johnson Hill Road, Washington, MA 01223; 413.623.6677
<info@heartwoodschool.com>
www.heartwoodschool.com Teaches skills and knowledge it takes
to build an energy-efficient house, including all aspects of the homebuilding
crafts, particularly timber framing.
Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), 5045 Orbitor Dr., Bldg 11, Ste 200,
Mississauga ON L4W 4Y4 Canada; 800.267.2231 ext 1120; fax 905.602.1197 Residential Radiant Hydronic Design
Certification Course.
HouseAlive! 7540 Griffing Lane, Jacksonville OR 97520; welcome@housealive.org
www.housealive.org Hands-on
workshops in natural building including cob, earthen plaster.
International Institute for
bau-biologie & Ecology, Inc. (IBE).1401A
Cleveland St., Clearwater FL 33755; 727.461.4371, fax 727.441.4373 <baubiologie@earthlink.net>
www.buildingbiology.net www.bau-biologieusa.com
Programs relate to how buildings and their environments impact health.
The Institute for Solar
Living. PO Box 836, 137715 S. Hwy 101, Hopland, CA 95449; 707-744-2017, fax 707-744-1682
<isl@rgisl.org> www.solarliving.org Workshops on renewable energy, ecological design,
sustainable living practices and alternativeconstruction techniques.
International Institute for
Bau-Biologie and Ecology. PO Box 387, Clearwater, FL 33757; 727-461-4371 baubiologie@earthlink.net
www.bau-biologieusa.com Educational
organization dedicated to bringing together the technical expertise, biological
understanding and ecological sensitivity to create healthy homes and workplaces.
The IronStraw Group, IronStraw Institute. 805 East 2nd Ave., Ellensburg, WA 98926;
509.962.4501 <info@ironstraw.org>
www.ironstraw.org
Construction of low-income and affordable housing; education and
promotion of straw as a standard building material including the development of
Certified Contractors' Programs.
Kleiwerks Natural Building. Ashfield, NC;
<janell@kleiwerks.com> www.kleiwerks.com
International grassroots
natural building organization, teaching people how to build their own,
appropriately designed, hybrid homes with affordable and indigenous materials.
Kupono Natural Builders. PO Box 828, Bella Vista CA 96008; 530.275.3623
<kuponobuilders@snowcrest.net>
www.kuponobuiders.com
Natural building workshops teaching basic building
skills with focus on earthen buildings, including cob, cob/strawbale hybrids,
earthbags, recycled materials, passive solar design.
Merritt College offers courses in natural building (hands-on building using materials
such as cob, strawbale and earth); carpentry working on affordable and green
housing; construction management; and
permaculture design. 510.434.3840 www.peralta.cc.ca.us
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. 15290 Coleman Valley Rd., Occdenal CA 95465;
707.874.1557 <oaec@oaec.org> www.oaec.org Offers natural building courses
including natural paints, plasters, pigments; carpentry for women and more.
One United Resource (OUR) Ecovillage. PO Box
530, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0; 250.743.3067 <our@pacificcoast.net> www.ourecovillage.org Workshops on strawbale and cob
construction.
Rammed Earth Works. 14024 Hagen Rd Napa, CA 94558; 707-224-2532, fax
707-258-1878 <easton@rammedearthworks.com>
www.rammedearthworks.com One-day general education workshops,
week-long project specific training seminars, customized technology transfer
arrangements.
Rocky Mountain Workshops. 505 N
Grant Ave., Ft Collins CO 80521; 970.482.1366
<peter@rockymountainworkshopscom>
www.rockymountainworkshops.com Hands-on workshops in traditional
building techniques including round log, timber frame joinery and more.
Sage Mountain Center. 79 Sage Mountain Trail,
Whitehall MT 59759;
406.494.9875
<cborton@sagemountain.org>
www.sagemountain.org Workshops and training in Sustainable
Living including Solar Design and Principles, Strawbale Construction, Cordwood
Construction, Renewable Energy and more.
Shelter Institute. 873 Route One, Woolwich, ME 04579; 207.442.7938, fax
207.442.7939 <info@shelterinstitute.com>
www.shelterinstitute.com Wide variety of courses ranging
in length and hands-on opportunity covering the building process and teaching
each step individually. Students walk away from the course with all the design
tools necessary to build a house, including timber framing and more.
Solar Energy International
(SEI). PO Box 715, 76 South 2nd St.,
Carbondale CO 81623; 970.963.8855 <sei@solarenergy.org> www.solarenergy.org SEI offers hands-on workshops in solar,
wind and water power and natural building technologies in eleven locations. SEI
also offers internet based online courses. (See Online Education section of
this guide.)
Solar Living Institute. Hopland, CA95449; 707.744.2017 www.solarliving.org Hands-on workshops on renewable energy,
ecological design, sustainable living and alternative construction techniques
including strawbale, cob, bamboo.
Southwest Solar Adobe
School. PO Box 153, Bosque, NM 87006; 505.861.1255 www.adobebuilder.com Adobe, rammed earth, pressed block,
solar design. Publishes Adobe Builder,
a publication on earthbuilding.
World Hands Project. PO Box 31854, Santa FE NM 87964 info@worldhandsproject.org
worldhandsproject.org Help
communities worldwide develop better quality of life through natural building
solutions. Teach basics of natural building by creating straw-bale houses
or community structure and other methods such as light-straw clay, earthen
and lime plasters, cob, composting or simple permaculture design.
Yestermorrow Design/Build
School. 189 VT Route 100, Warren, VT
05674; 888.496.5541, 802.496.5545 <designbuild@yestermorrow.org>
www.yestermorrow.org Offers over 100 hands-on courses in design,
construction, woodworking, and architectural craft and offers a variety of
courses concentrating in sustainable design.
College
/ University Courses and Degree Programs
Merritt College offers courses in natural building
(hands-on building using materials such as cob, strawbale and earth; carpentry
working on affordable and green housing; construction management; and permaculture design. 510.434.3840 www.peralta.cc.ca.us
New College of California. 99 6th St., Santa Rosa CA 95404; 707.568.3092
<jkennedy@newcollege.edu> www.ecodwelliing.org
EcoDwelling concentration (part of BA completion or MA degree).
Holistic approach to design and construction through lectures, discussions,
design projects, hands-on building encouraging sustainable design using
natural materials and ecological processes.
Sir
Sanford Fleming College-Ontario. PO Box 839, Haliburton, Ontario, K0M 1S0 Canada; www.flemingcollege.com/sustainablebuilding Sustainable Building Design and Construction
20-week intensive certificate course mixes theory with hands-on construction
of full-sized building project. Leading experts teach and oversee construction
in natural materials and finishes, renewable energy, water and waste treatment
systems.
Online Education and Training
Programs
Online training
in straw-bale construction, Global Straw-Bale Construction Certification
Program, workshops with emphasis on low-tech, affordable housing.
GreenSage Online Continuing Education. Instruction and lots
of free information in the Sage Learning Center. www.greensage.com/CEU/CEUindex.html What Is This Thing Called Sustainability? Courses on indoor environmental
quality and indoor air quality, and green materials.
San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA). SFIA Information Office,
Box 2590, Alameda CA 94501; www.SFIA.net Eco Distance Learning: Ecological Design,
Alternative Materials and Construction, Solar Energy Systems, and more.
Solar Energy
International. Rachel
Connor, PO Box 715, Carbondale CO 81623-0715; 970.963.8855, fax 970.963.8866
<rachel@solarenergy.org>
www.solarenergy.org Offering six-week online courses in Photovoltaic
Design and Solar Home Design.
If you know
of other education and training opportunities, please let us know and we
will add them to the web site and the TLS Resource Guide.
See also TLS#46, Getting Trained in Strawbale and Natural Building
- a survey of training workshops
and courses, college and university degree programs, and apprenticeships
available in the USA and Canada.