Oct 27–Nov 4
9-Day Natural Building/Permaculture Intensive

There will be two tracks of education running at the same time. Each student will be involved in both activities of building and landscaping.

Day 1: Check-in, Orientation, Dinner, Campfire/Permaculture and GiraSol Overview
Day 2: Foundations, Biomass Accumulation*, Dialogue—Strategies and Practices
Day 3: Building Adobe Walls & Other Earthen Building Methods, Village Design and Community Building
Day 4: Adobe Walls, Water and Biomass Accumulation, Swales, Dialogue
Day 5: Plastering Walls, Swales, Natural Building
Day 6: Roof Framing, Tree-Planting in Biomass-filled Swales, Dialogue
Day 7: Field Trip (Ocean), Food Systems, Village Ecosystems, Spa and Special Places
Day 8: Roofing and Water, Water Catchment/Systems, Eco-Intervention
Day 9: Finishing and Systems, Visioning
Day 10: Completion, Afterparty, Departure

Daily Activities

6 a.m. Moving Meditation
7 a.m. Breakfast & Daily Overview
8 a.m. Discussion of Daily Work Focus
8:30 a.m. Begin Field Project Work
noon Lunch and Siesta at the Lunch Palace
2 p.m. Village Design Discussion
4–6 p.m. Resume Filed Project Work
6:30 Communal Dinner
8–10 p.m. Evening Presentation/Discussion, Fire Circle

Biomass piece will include the whole process—from mulching to retain rainwater to improved soil structure resulting in increased food potentials.

Order of Construction
Foundation, Walls, Windows/Doors, Plaster, Framing, Roof

Evening Presentations
GiraSol: Story and Overview
Global Challenge, “Anti-Virus” Plan
Village Design
Inherent Nature
Case Studies of Successful Eco-Centers