Cal-Earth Workshops
If you have a vision for building your home, a community, or even helping others to build theirs, stop and consider the hands-on Workshops or Apprenticeship Course at Cal-Earth Institute in California. Give us a few days of your time and we will teach you hands-on how to build your home, your school, your career, or your entire community, without cutting down a single tree; by using the earth under your feet and utilizing the elements of earth, wind, water and fire.
The technology to construct natural architecture was developed by bridging traditional technology into future planning through meditation and commitment. For over thirty years architect Nader Khalili researched Earth Architecture with his associates and apprentices to bring building back into the people's hands. Now for the 1.2 billion people in the world living with no safe shelter and no hope of ever affording one, new hope has begun to arrive.
If you have reached a turning point in your life and have the courage to invest in yourself, take the chance to participate in a workshop retreat or embark on a longer journey with our apprenticeship program. Learning these skills will fill you with inspiration and direction to return to your home, city or country, and be able to serve humanity.Workshops
What happens during a Cal-Earth Workshop?
These are hands-on retreats for people who want to learn to build from earth and the elements. The workshops give the chance to focus totally on learning the unique Earth (Superadobe) and/or Ceramic Architecture techniques developed at Cal-Earth as well as traditional earth building techniques, in the serene and instructive setting of the Cal-Earth prototypes. Mentored by the works and words of Nader Khalili, and taught by Cal-Earth's associates and teachers, the holistic learning methods during the intensive retreat continuously convey techniques and concepts to the participant, through all five senses at once. Four thousand years of earth architecture and ceramics, Geltaftan and Superadobe technologies, rammed earth, and adobe are transformed within the student in a brief period into the designs of the future. Upon completion one of our programs you become part of the Cal-Earth network.
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What are the subjects taught?
Below is a list of topics covered in our workshops. Teaching methods are in the tradition of Nader Khalili with philosophy, design theory, and principles taught through the expression of the hands-on experience.
Topics Covered:
- The principle of the arch
- Superadobe basics
- Soils practicum and discussion
- Super-adobe with stabilized earth
- Plaster workshop with stabilized earth
- Learning to read blueprints, elements of design, placing windows and doors
- Contrasting domes with vaults, vaulted roofing system, dome geometry
- Site planning, orientation, simple solar passive strategies
- Compass theory and application
- Waterproofing, foundations
- Ceramics discussion and Introduction
- Properties of clay, ceramics as art and aesthetics & ceramic architecture
- Building with brick & firing a ceramic dome — demonstration and discussion
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2010 WORKSHOP DATES and Program Information:
Winter/Spring/Summer 2010
February 24 - 27 Four-day workshop
March 22 - 27 One-week workshop
April 19 - 24 One-week workshop
May 17 - 22 One-week workshop
June 14 - 19 One-week workshop
July 7 - 10 Four-day workshop
Fall Dates will be posted in June or July 2010
Extended Workshops
In certain cases the apprenticeship programs may be extended to finish hands-on projects or continue into a long-term internship program where the apprentice is involved with a specific Cal-Earth research and prototype project.
Long-Term Apprenticeship Program
Cal-Earth also offers the possibility of a long-term apprenticeship course following participation in one of our workshops. Apprentices may make a career from what they have learned, including setting up their own business, licensing the technology as a contactor and building for others, and working internationally.
Long-term apprenticeships are offered upon evaluation with Cal-Earth's directors at the completion of an intensive workshop. Please include an extra paragraph in your essay indicating why you are interested in an extended study.
Application for Admission
- Fill out the application form (download PDF here).
- Send it along with a two-page essay to Cal-Earth describing your background, interests, visions, goals, what you plan to do with this technology, and your chosen program. If you require a scholarship, please explain your situation in an additional paragraph. If you are interested in a long-term apprenticeship, please include an extra paragraph indicating why.
- A $200 deposit is required to hold a spot in the workshop. You may send your application, essay, and deposit in the following ways:
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| Cal-Earth P.O. Box 1977 Claremont, CA 91711-8977 |
760-244-2201 (you may call 760-956-7533 to pay deposit by phone) |
Send application and essay to Click here to Pay Deposit Online |
- Once we review your application we will call you for an interview.
- Send the balance of your tuition at least two weeks before the start of the program.
- The deposit is deducted from the tuition costs. If you are not accepted, the deposit is refunded, after your book/DVD are deducted.
Your deposit may also be applied to another course that same year if you notify Cal-Earth at least three weeks before the start of a course.- Tuition includes learning materials, books and DVDs, some meals, and optional camping accommodation when available (Please contact Cal-Earth regarding camping onsite).
- Checks, money orders, PayPal payments, or Visa/MasterCard are accepted.
Tuition costs per person:
Four-day intensive workshop - $1,100
One-week intensive workshop - $1,600 (For couples and groups a discount of 20% applies for the 2nd person onwards.)
Extended workshop- $1,700 - $2,000
Long-term apprenticeship - $2,500 - $5,000
Returning apprentices will receive a discounted rate. Please contact Cal-Earth for more information.
A limited number of scholarship places are available.
A set of educational DVDs and books is included.
Note: Cal-Earth offers special three-day workshops for organized groups of four or more persons.
To arrange please call Cal-Earth at 760-956-7533.
Contact:
tel: (760) 956-7533 fax: (760) 244-2201
mailing address: P.O. Box 1977 Claremont, CA 91711-8977
email: Contact Us
Directions
From Los Angeles take 10E or 210E to HWY 15N
(dir. Barstow/Las Vegas), Hesperia MAIN ST EXIT Right, follow the Cal-Earth/Hesperia City Signs.
DRIVE one mile, Topaz Left, Live Oak Left, Baldy Lane Right at Cal-Earth sign.
Closest airport: Ontario, CA
1hr. drive, airport shuttle, or bus to Victorville.
Arrive at Cal-Earth Institute Site:
10177 Baldy Lane
Hesperia, CA 92345
Tel: (760) 956-7533
Accommodations
Cal-Earth camping accommodation: 760-956-7533
Participants are welcome to stay on the Cal-Earth site. Arrangements should be made ahead of time. Simple self-catering accommodation at the Cal-Earth site, sharing space or camping only. Walking distance to supermarket.
Recommended Local Hotels/Camping Facilities:
SpringHill Suites by Marriott: (760) 948-8982
9625 Mariposa Rd. Hesperia, CA.
5 min. drive from Cal-Earth
Special Rate: $94+tax. Please mention the "Cal-Earth" rate at time of booking.
The Holiday Inn Express: (760) 244-7674
12750 Main Street, Hesperia
5 minute drive from Cal-Earth
La Quinta Inland Suites: (760) 949-9900
Clean, pleasant local motel.
Walking distance to restaurants.
12000 Mariposa Rd., Hesperia.
5 minute drive from Cal-Earth.
The Green Tree Inn: (760) 245-3461
Restaurant, 24-hour cafe, pool.
14173 Green Tree Boulevard, Victorville.
10 minute drive from Cal-Earth.
Hesperia Lake Park Camping: (760) 244-5951
RV and barbecue facilities, fishing in lake.
20 minute drive from Cal-Earth.
- Upcoming Events
- What is Superadobe?
- Subscribe to the Cal-Earth Newsletter
- Learn to Build with Superadobe
- Purchase Educational Materials
- Download Workshop Application
- Cal-Earth Forums
we live on earth
yet so ignorant of earth
and all the treasures it holds
- Rumi
"Anybody in this world
should be able
to build a shelter
for his or her family
with the simplest
of elements......
earth, water, air, and fire."
Career Options:
Apprentices may make a career from what they have learned, including setting up their own business, licensing the technology as a contactor and building for others, and working internationally.
Learn more about the books, DVDs, and plans and other aids to learning
"first plant your seed
then rely on the almighty"
- Rumi
Arrive at Cal-Earth Institute Site:
10177 Baldy Lane
Hesperia CA 92345
Tel: (760) 956-7533
Send your Mail to this Address:
P.O. Box 1977
Claremont, CA 91711-8977
Tel: (760) 956-7533
Fax: (760) 244-2201
email
website: www.calearth.org