Introduction to Cob Building with Louise Southwell

Join us for a two day dive into the world of cob building with experienced facilitator, Louise from mudlove. We will have a hands (and feet!) –on exploration of the key materials that make up cob; where to find them, how they feel and what they do for our buildings. With our trial mixes we will discover the rich, sculptable possibilities of the material and consider how we can use its unique structural properties to build ourselves useable structures. We will allow time to imagine; drawing on building science and simple passive solar design to make models of our own tiny homes, greenhouses, sheds and playhouses. And of course, we will have plenty of time to ask questions about our dream projects and consider solutions drawing on many years of experience.

Awaken your intuition and jump in the mud with us.

LOCATION:
Cusop Dingle, Hay on Wye

DATE AND TIMINGS
9am-5pm Saturday 4rd April | 9am-4pm Sunday 5th April

ABOUT YOUR TRAINER
Louise Southwell is the founder of mudlove; an organisation set up over 10 years ago to design, build, teach, facilitate and inspire natural building and living in balance with the world. After working as an architect internationally, Louise gave up office life to learn from and build with some of the most inspiring builders in Europe, North, South and Central America. Since leading the design and construction of her first complete cob cottage, she has taught workshops sharing her love of cob and other techniques with many budding natural builders in the UK and beyond, proving her theory that everyone can cob.

PRICING:
We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. We have a limited number of subsidised places available on every course and a rate for participants being sponsored through their work or higher earners. Subsidised places are limited and are intended for those who truly cannot afford the standard rate. We don't ask for any proof, but ask that you use your judgement when purchasing.

£270 - Sponsored / income over 30k rate

£220 - Individual rate

£175 - Subsidised rate

See full Terms and Conditions here.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is designed for everyone; beginners, builders and designers alike. There is a balance between theoretical knowledge, intuitive ‘building by feel’ and lots of practical mud stomping to awaken everyone’s imagination and belief that we can all build our own cob structure. We will be exploring the material, starting a wall from scratch, touching on some theory and working on details in an ongoing balecob project together.

This course will cover

• How to source the materials needed to make cob
• How to make a workable cob mix and what it feels like
• How to build with cob to create walls, sculptures and structures
• Introduction to basic options for foundations, floors, windows, doors, roofs and plasters
• Introduction to basic passive solar design including the benefits and differences of insulation and thermal mass
• Individual feedback and advice for your own dream project

WHAT TO BRING
Sturdy, waterproof boots, waterproof coats and trousers, gardening/ DIY gloves (with rubber palms),

SITE ACCESS AND LOCAL TRANSPORT
Greenfields Farm is located in Cusop Dingle, 20 minutes walk from the centre of beautiful book town, Hay on Wye. It can be reached by bus from Hereford Train Station, plus a 10 minute walk from the bus stop. Parking for 2 cars will be available at the site, with further parking 100m downhill on the quiet roadside.

• There are many hotels and Airbnb options in Cusop and Hay on Wye
• Our next door neighbour, Trewern Outdoor Activity Centre, offers a number of different glamping options including pods, cabins and yurts
• Vans may be able to find overnight parking spaces further up Cusop Dingle which is a quiet, country lane which passes the site

This is a practical course hosted on a working farm. Those with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs should reach out to us for more information regarding the accessibility of the specific course site you'd like to join, and we can assess the options together.