Date: May 7-13, 2012

Location: Koanga Institute
Tutors: Bob and Taiamai Corker   

Price: $1050 General Public / $980 Members. Includes all meals, camping accomodation available.

An intensive 7 day (60 hours) workshop to learn low cost, sustainable technologies for building projects suited to low cost, low energy sustainable living. There will be a particular focus on techniques that are suited to NZ conditions, using materials that are easily obtainable and can be sourced locally.

With each technique we will cover the theory in detail, legal issues, designs and the practical hands on skills required to build it yourself. You'll see practical examples of these techniques in progress, receive notes to take home, and work on designs for future projects. We will be using these techniques for building an ‘autonomous’ house that may support a family off the grid and without the ongoing support of the present globalised industrial system. The workshops are particularly suited to others wishing to do something similar. Evenings will include discussions, DVDs, music (bring your own instruments) and beautiful food! All meals will be provided, and will be a model of the principles of the Weston A Price Foundation (www.westonaprice.org). These will be a life changing experience in themselves!

Accommodation will be onsite - Please bring your own tent, van or caravan, we will have outdoor bathroom facilities for you to use.

The context of this workshop - the Koanga Institute is part of a developing permaculture village, where this technology is being implemented, beautiful low tech, hand made homes are being built for and by community members. You can read more about this project: www.communitylandtrusts.co.nz
 
The workshop will cover

• Light earth building techniques - composite sandwhich core panel construction, using (amongst other things) pine needles, clay, paper and wood strips.

• Annualised Geo-Solar  (AGS) heat storage for NZ conditions using eco-friendly materials 


• Solar/wood fueled heating for spaces, hot water, food drying, cooking, cooling and AGS 


• Use of rocket stoves (clean burning and efficient) for multiple uses (as above) including modifications for long burning application applications

• Charcoal production and traditional asian charcoal burners 


• Low cost DIY composting and biogas toilets

• Wastewater recycling systems 


• DIY high quality water filters 


• Hand powered washing machines 


• Common grinding/food preparation machines and facilities for self sufficiency 


• Community Land Trusts as a working model for sustainable community development in NZ , and an alternative model of land ownership.

Please note: workshop will be confirmed 2 weeks prior to commencement. If circumstances prevent us the workshop from going ahead, enrollment fees will be refunded in full.

Cancellation Policy: Students who cancel their place at a workshop with more than 2 weeks notice will be given an 85% refund, however cancellations after this time can only be refunded 50% of the course fee. Cancellations with less than 48 hours, no refund can be given.