Earthship Workshop and Masterclass in South Australia
November 2022
MORE INFO...
Rego Form below
Earthship Inman Valley, CAD rendering, view of Greenhouse Atrium looking east.
ACTIVITIES
Hands-on, get your hands dirty
Brains-on, get informed and get your questions answered
- Tyre wall construction
- Bottle brick making and bottle wall construction
- Cob stomping... mud glorious mud!
Brains-on, get informed and get your questions answered
- Learn about Earthships: design, engineering, costs, approval and construction process etc
- Sustainable housing overview - energy & water efficiency, strawbale, hempcrete, superadobe, cob...
- Introduction to permaculture
EARTHSHIPS
Earthships are highly efficient homes using minimal energy and water while providing all the usual modern conveniences. This makes them ideal for going off-grid but, of course, they can be grid connected too. This means little to no water and electricity bills plus the empowering feeling of self-sufficiency!
Earthships are made with large quantities of natural materials such as earth and straw and up-cycled materials such as tyres and bottles. Conventional materials and products such as timber, steel, concrete, glass, solar panels, water tanks etc are also used but the use of these types of things is minimised by the use of large quantities of natural and recycled materials.
An array of amazing and beautiful design features are integrated to ensure that winter sun gets in while summer sun stays out, resulting in glorious indoor living conditions without the need for an air-conditioner.
The "earth berm" behind the building (to the south and also sometime to the east and west) is a mound of earth pushed against the building, providing shelter from extreme temperatures, bushfires and storms. It acts as the "thermal battery" storing energy and regulating indoor temperature, keeping it stable and comfy. This is called earth-sheltered architecture.
The "greenhouse" is a sunroom or atrium on the sunny north side of the building is the "solar engine" which "charges up" the earth berm.
Underground pipes called "earth tubes" bring fresh air into the building, and they also act like an air conditioner, warming or cooling the incoming, fresh air via heat-exchange with the stable temperature of the soil.
A beautiful indoor food producing garden is also part of the typical (non-tropical) Earthship design and this can be irrigated with greywater from the shower, bath, hand basin and washing machine (Note: wastewater from the kitchen and toilet is classified as "blackwater" and this must go directly to the septic tank).
Earthship construction methods are easy to do yourself, so you can save money by putting in your own labour and only pay the builder to do the stuff you can't do. And, most importantly, building Earthships can be a lot of fun when you are surrounded by other like-minded, fun-loving people.
Earthships are made with large quantities of natural materials such as earth and straw and up-cycled materials such as tyres and bottles. Conventional materials and products such as timber, steel, concrete, glass, solar panels, water tanks etc are also used but the use of these types of things is minimised by the use of large quantities of natural and recycled materials.
An array of amazing and beautiful design features are integrated to ensure that winter sun gets in while summer sun stays out, resulting in glorious indoor living conditions without the need for an air-conditioner.
The "earth berm" behind the building (to the south and also sometime to the east and west) is a mound of earth pushed against the building, providing shelter from extreme temperatures, bushfires and storms. It acts as the "thermal battery" storing energy and regulating indoor temperature, keeping it stable and comfy. This is called earth-sheltered architecture.
The "greenhouse" is a sunroom or atrium on the sunny north side of the building is the "solar engine" which "charges up" the earth berm.
Underground pipes called "earth tubes" bring fresh air into the building, and they also act like an air conditioner, warming or cooling the incoming, fresh air via heat-exchange with the stable temperature of the soil.
A beautiful indoor food producing garden is also part of the typical (non-tropical) Earthship design and this can be irrigated with greywater from the shower, bath, hand basin and washing machine (Note: wastewater from the kitchen and toilet is classified as "blackwater" and this must go directly to the septic tank).
Earthship construction methods are easy to do yourself, so you can save money by putting in your own labour and only pay the builder to do the stuff you can't do. And, most importantly, building Earthships can be a lot of fun when you are surrounded by other like-minded, fun-loving people.
workshop photos 2020 photo credits Martin Freney and Kim Kamo
THE EXTRA WORKSHOP
Due to the Workshop booking-out, an Extra Workshop has been opened up for the final weekend. It coincides with the end of the Masterclass so you will meet some of these people and many of the Earthship Eco Homes "crew". You will also be able to see the results of everyone's efforts and try your hand at some Earthship construction methods.
The Extra Workshop is 2 days of theory and construction exercises as per the description below for the Workshop.
If you enrol for this workshop you are welcome to arrive early, after 4 pm on Friday 22 April and leave on Monday 25 April.
The Extra Workshop is 2 days of theory and construction exercises as per the description below for the Workshop.
If you enrol for this workshop you are welcome to arrive early, after 4 pm on Friday 22 April and leave on Monday 25 April.
THE WORKSHOP & MASTERCLASS
THE WORKSHOP 14-19 April
The Workshop is 4 days of theory and construction exercises aimed to introducing you to the Earthship concept and to give you some experience of what it is like to build an Earthship. You will gain hands-on experience so that you can evaluate how Earthship may be appropriate for you - if you are thinking of doing something similar one day, the Workshop will be a great way to understand what is involved. The Workshop will also introduce you to like-minded souls, and you will enter the wonderful world of natural building! You will learn about the theory of Earthships, how they work, how they can be redesigned for different climates, and different sites - from the suburbs to the bush. You will learn about the steps required to build an Earthship (or any home) including the process of selecting suitable land, design, engineering, approval, construction.
THE MASTERCLASS 14-25 April
The Masterclass is an additional 4-5 days for people who want a "deep dive" into Earthships with more time to quiz the instructors and practice their newly acquired skills and see the projects further along into the construction process. The Masterclass will have greater emphasis on the theory and technical aspects of Earthships ranging from engineering, philosophy, regulations, going into more detail than the introductory theory session in the Workshop.
Both events are intended for reasonably fit and healthy people capable of getting physical on a construction site. If this is not your cup of tea then please consider booking in for a guided tour of Earthship Ironbank or a BnB stay.
THE TOUR
The tour on 19 April is an optional extra no matter which event you enrol in. This is a great opportunity to see some Earthships under construction: Earthship Inman Valley and Earthship Goolwa.
Q&A Sessions
Opportunities to ask all your Earthship questions.
Free Camping
Free camping onsite is included to help participants who are not within easy driving distance (although you are very welcome to camp even if you are local). Camping is highly recommended, but not essential.
Food
Meals will be provided every day, except on the optional days (14,19, 20, 25 April - see THE SCHEDULE below). You will be asked to help with meal preparation and cleaning up.
Transport & Camping
You will need to organise your own transport and camping gear, although you may be able to share rides and share gear via the Slack messaging app which we will link you into if your application is successful.
There will be limited space for vans, buses, caravans etc, so please indicate this on your application form. We will fit in as many as possible!
The Workshop is 4 days of theory and construction exercises aimed to introducing you to the Earthship concept and to give you some experience of what it is like to build an Earthship. You will gain hands-on experience so that you can evaluate how Earthship may be appropriate for you - if you are thinking of doing something similar one day, the Workshop will be a great way to understand what is involved. The Workshop will also introduce you to like-minded souls, and you will enter the wonderful world of natural building! You will learn about the theory of Earthships, how they work, how they can be redesigned for different climates, and different sites - from the suburbs to the bush. You will learn about the steps required to build an Earthship (or any home) including the process of selecting suitable land, design, engineering, approval, construction.
THE MASTERCLASS 14-25 April
The Masterclass is an additional 4-5 days for people who want a "deep dive" into Earthships with more time to quiz the instructors and practice their newly acquired skills and see the projects further along into the construction process. The Masterclass will have greater emphasis on the theory and technical aspects of Earthships ranging from engineering, philosophy, regulations, going into more detail than the introductory theory session in the Workshop.
Both events are intended for reasonably fit and healthy people capable of getting physical on a construction site. If this is not your cup of tea then please consider booking in for a guided tour of Earthship Ironbank or a BnB stay.
THE TOUR
The tour on 19 April is an optional extra no matter which event you enrol in. This is a great opportunity to see some Earthships under construction: Earthship Inman Valley and Earthship Goolwa.
Q&A Sessions
Opportunities to ask all your Earthship questions.
Free Camping
Free camping onsite is included to help participants who are not within easy driving distance (although you are very welcome to camp even if you are local). Camping is highly recommended, but not essential.
Food
Meals will be provided every day, except on the optional days (14,19, 20, 25 April - see THE SCHEDULE below). You will be asked to help with meal preparation and cleaning up.
Transport & Camping
You will need to organise your own transport and camping gear, although you may be able to share rides and share gear via the Slack messaging app which we will link you into if your application is successful.
There will be limited space for vans, buses, caravans etc, so please indicate this on your application form. We will fit in as many as possible!
THE VENUE
The construction site is in Ironbank, South Australia. In fact, there are two sites:
1. Earthship Ironbank will be the main venue for the theory sessions and is also where a lot of the construction exercises will occur.
2. Up the road from Earthship Ironbank Jenni's Earthship - which is under construction - is a great opportunity for some cob stomping and tyre pounding... and potentially more! (Note: this will NOT be part of the Extra Workshop)
1. Earthship Ironbank will be the main venue for the theory sessions and is also where a lot of the construction exercises will occur.
2. Up the road from Earthship Ironbank Jenni's Earthship - which is under construction - is a great opportunity for some cob stomping and tyre pounding... and potentially more! (Note: this will NOT be part of the Extra Workshop)
THE CAMPSITE
The campsite is at Earthship Ironbank, Ironbank, South Australia.
Camping facilities include:
Camping facilities include:
- toilets
- drinking water
- electricity for phone charging
- 4G phone services (check your carrier's coverage map for Ironbank SA)
- water for filling your solar shower bag (BYO shower bag)
- trees - for hanging solar shower bags from
- beach is 30min drive for a cleansing ocean plunge
- rivers and water holes nearby too (15min drive)
- EARTHSHIP IRONBANK will also serve as the classroom, kitchen and womens toilet
THE STUDENTS
We are looking for open-mined, fun-loving people with the desire (and the capability) for some hard physical labour. Earthships can be built with machines (see here) or with people power. There is no right or wrong way to do it, but one great advantage of people power is that they are powered by a renewable fuel (called food) rather thank stinky, dangerous, non-renewable fossil fuels.
THE INSTRUCTORS
Dr Martin Freney is leading the workshop. With sufficient numbers of student enrolments, additional instructors will be involved too. Stay tuned to this website for updates on more, more, more instructors. Please register early, get the early bird discount, and help us get organised and get more instructors involved!
Martin Freney is one of the world's most enthusiastic and prolific Earthship builders, designers and researchers. In fact Michael Reynolds, Earthship god-father, refers to him as "the data guy" because of Marty's research that involves monitoring the thermal performance (temperature, humidity) of Earthships. Marty is the designer and owner-builder of Earthship Ironbank, Australia’s first council approved Earthship which is a wildly popular BnB. When he is not teaching product design and sustainable design at the University of South Australia (part-time) he is designing, building and researching Earthships. He has designed numerous Earthships throughout Australia via his sustainable design consultancy, Earthship Eco Homes. He has visited Taos, New Mexico, USA - home of the Earthship - twice, once as an intern in 2008 and a second time in 2011 as part of his PhD which investigated the thermal performance of Earthships and their eco footprint compared to other types of housing. He has built Earthships with Earthship Biotecture in the USA, Indonesia and Australia.
Martin Freney is one of the world's most enthusiastic and prolific Earthship builders, designers and researchers. In fact Michael Reynolds, Earthship god-father, refers to him as "the data guy" because of Marty's research that involves monitoring the thermal performance (temperature, humidity) of Earthships. Marty is the designer and owner-builder of Earthship Ironbank, Australia’s first council approved Earthship which is a wildly popular BnB. When he is not teaching product design and sustainable design at the University of South Australia (part-time) he is designing, building and researching Earthships. He has designed numerous Earthships throughout Australia via his sustainable design consultancy, Earthship Eco Homes. He has visited Taos, New Mexico, USA - home of the Earthship - twice, once as an intern in 2008 and a second time in 2011 as part of his PhD which investigated the thermal performance of Earthships and their eco footprint compared to other types of housing. He has built Earthships with Earthship Biotecture in the USA, Indonesia and Australia.
WHAT TO BRING
SAFETY GEAR AND WORK CLOTHES
CAMPING GEAR
- Work boots
- Gloves (leather riggers gloves or rubber coated fabric gloves are ideal)
- Work clothes
- Sun screen
- Sun glasses (and/or safety glasses)
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Change of clothes/shoes
- Camping gear (see below)
- NOTE: Any other PPE that you need will be supplied
CAMPING GEAR
- tent or swag
- ground sheet (tarp to go under swag or tent)*
- tent pegs and hammer
- warm sleeping bag
- warm clothes
- beach stuff (bathers, beach towel, Frisbee)
- air mattress*
- pillow
- towel
- toiletries
- torch and/or head torch
- solar phone charger*
- mosquito repellent*
- solar shower bag*
- teddy bear*
- midnight snacks*
- drum, guitar, didgeridoo, flute...*
- camping chair*
- cushion*
- yoga mat* (if you like yoga!)
- any other glamping essentials such as coffee tables and LED lights*
THE SCHEDULE
The Workshop 14-19 April
Thu 14 April** - optional early arrival to assist interstate travellers, (or keen beans)... arrive from 4pm onward to setup camp site etc (self-catering - bring something easy for dinner).
Fri 15 April - welcome, introduction, safety, theory session (9AM start)
Sat 16 April - construction
Sun 17 April - construction
Mon 18 April - construction
Tue 19 April** - optional tour of Earthships under construction (we will share cars and spend the day visiting Earthships under construction, hit the bakery for lunch and a pub for dinner). If you are doing the Masterclass, and you don't want to do the tour, you could choose to have an additional rest-day, go on your own adventure etc... you are welcome to hang out at Earthship Ironbank.
The Masterclass 14-25 April
If you want to learn more you can extend your stay for 5-6 days more than the "workshop"
Thu 14 April** - optional early arrival to assist interstate travellers, (or keen beans)... arrive from 4pm onward to setup camp site etc (self-catering - bring something easy for dinner).
Fri 15 April - welcome, introduction, safety, theory session (9AM start)
Sat 16 April - construction
Sun 17 April - construction
Mon 18 April - construction
Tue 19 April** - optional tour of Earthships under construction (we will share cars and spend the day visiting Earthships under construction, hit the bakery for lunch and a pub for dinner). If you are doing the Masterclass, and you don't want to do the tour, you could choose to have an additional rest-day, go on your own adventure etc... you are welcome to hang out at Earthship Ironbank.Wed 20 April** - rest day (free time, self-catering), hang out at Earthship Ironbank, read Earthship books...
Thu 21 April - theory session / construction
Fri 22 April - theory session / construction
Sat 23 April - theory session / construction
Sun 24 April - theory session / construction - final dinner
Mon 25 April** - bump out - packup and roll out by midday. This is an optional half day to recuperate before travelling home, hang-out with new friends, and we will packing up and cleaning up in a relaxed way.
The Extra Workshop 23-25 April
Fri 22 April - early arrivals from 4pm
Sat 23 April - theory session / construction
Sun 24 April - theory session / construction - final dinner
Mon 25 April** - bump out - packup and roll out by midday. This is an optional half day to recuperate before travelling home, hang-out with new friends, and we will packing up and cleaning up in a relaxed way.
** On 14, 19, 20, 25 April food/catering will NOT be provided (the cooks need a rest) but you are very welcome to use the facilities to cook up a storm with the other students. Shops, pubs, and restaurants are only 10 min drive away.
A typical day will look like this...
7:30AM - BREAKFAST
8:30AM - Morning Meeting, Safety Talk
9:00AM - Construction and/or theory session
12:30PM - LUNCH
1:30PM - Construction and/or theory session
4:15PM - Worksite clean up
4:30PM - Trip to beach or waterhole or...???
7:00PM - DINNER
8:00PM - Campfire
Thu 14 April** - optional early arrival to assist interstate travellers, (or keen beans)... arrive from 4pm onward to setup camp site etc (self-catering - bring something easy for dinner).
Fri 15 April - welcome, introduction, safety, theory session (9AM start)
Sat 16 April - construction
Sun 17 April - construction
Mon 18 April - construction
Tue 19 April** - optional tour of Earthships under construction (we will share cars and spend the day visiting Earthships under construction, hit the bakery for lunch and a pub for dinner). If you are doing the Masterclass, and you don't want to do the tour, you could choose to have an additional rest-day, go on your own adventure etc... you are welcome to hang out at Earthship Ironbank.
The Masterclass 14-25 April
If you want to learn more you can extend your stay for 5-6 days more than the "workshop"
Thu 14 April** - optional early arrival to assist interstate travellers, (or keen beans)... arrive from 4pm onward to setup camp site etc (self-catering - bring something easy for dinner).
Fri 15 April - welcome, introduction, safety, theory session (9AM start)
Sat 16 April - construction
Sun 17 April - construction
Mon 18 April - construction
Tue 19 April** - optional tour of Earthships under construction (we will share cars and spend the day visiting Earthships under construction, hit the bakery for lunch and a pub for dinner). If you are doing the Masterclass, and you don't want to do the tour, you could choose to have an additional rest-day, go on your own adventure etc... you are welcome to hang out at Earthship Ironbank.Wed 20 April** - rest day (free time, self-catering), hang out at Earthship Ironbank, read Earthship books...
Thu 21 April - theory session / construction
Fri 22 April - theory session / construction
Sat 23 April - theory session / construction
Sun 24 April - theory session / construction - final dinner
Mon 25 April** - bump out - packup and roll out by midday. This is an optional half day to recuperate before travelling home, hang-out with new friends, and we will packing up and cleaning up in a relaxed way.
The Extra Workshop 23-25 April
Fri 22 April - early arrivals from 4pm
Sat 23 April - theory session / construction
Sun 24 April - theory session / construction - final dinner
Mon 25 April** - bump out - packup and roll out by midday. This is an optional half day to recuperate before travelling home, hang-out with new friends, and we will packing up and cleaning up in a relaxed way.
** On 14, 19, 20, 25 April food/catering will NOT be provided (the cooks need a rest) but you are very welcome to use the facilities to cook up a storm with the other students. Shops, pubs, and restaurants are only 10 min drive away.
A typical day will look like this...
7:30AM - BREAKFAST
8:30AM - Morning Meeting, Safety Talk
9:00AM - Construction and/or theory session
12:30PM - LUNCH
1:30PM - Construction and/or theory session
4:15PM - Worksite clean up
4:30PM - Trip to beach or waterhole or...???
7:00PM - DINNER
8:00PM - Campfire
THE TICKET PRICES
Early bird discount date extended - hurry! Don't miss out
THE WORKSHOP 14-19 April
THE MASTERCLASS 14-25 April
THE EXTRA WORKSHOP 23-25 April
*** This discount is being offered to people who have come to an Earthship Eco Homes workshop previously. Limited tickets of this type are available.
- Regular $700
- Concession (students and unemployed) $600
- Returning Earthshipper $500***
THE MASTERCLASS 14-25 April
- Regular $1260
- Concession (students and unemployed) $1080
- Returning Earthshipper $900***
THE EXTRA WORKSHOP 23-25 April
- Regular $490
- Concession (students and unemployed) $390
- Returning Earthshipper $290***
*** This discount is being offered to people who have come to an Earthship Eco Homes workshop previously. Limited tickets of this type are available.
REGISTRATION
Please fill out the online registration form by clicking on the EASTER 2022 REGO FORM button below. We need your contact details and would like to understand a bit about who you are, what you like to eat, why you want to attend the workshop etc.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. No refunds (with the exception of COVID related issues - see point 8 below). Please be sure before you apply and make payment. You may transfer your place in the workshop to another suitable person (who has been accepted via the online application system) but your payment is non-refundable.
2. You have 48hr to make payment after you receive the email confirming that your application was successful. After that, your place in the workshop may be offered to someone else. Please pay promptly!
3. In the event of insufficient enrolments, bushfire, pandemic shut-down, or unforeseen event, the workshop will be cancelled and 95% of your ticket price will be reimbursed (5% is retained to cover admin expenses). Your travel expenses will NOT be refunded.
4. Participants who are unable to comply with instructions regarding the safe and the orderly running of the workshop will not be allowed to participate and will forfeit their payment for the workshop.
5. Harassment of any kind (sexual, racial, religious, etc) will not be tolerated.
6. If you are under 17 years of age you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has also purchased a ticket to the workshop.
7. All participants must complete the online application form and agree to these terms and conditions.
8. COVID19 REFUND POLICY: If border closures, travel restrictions, or quarantine issues related to COVID19 prevent you from attending the workshop, 95% of your ticket price will be reimbursed (5% is retained to cover admin expenses). Your travel expenses will NOT be refunded.
2. You have 48hr to make payment after you receive the email confirming that your application was successful. After that, your place in the workshop may be offered to someone else. Please pay promptly!
3. In the event of insufficient enrolments, bushfire, pandemic shut-down, or unforeseen event, the workshop will be cancelled and 95% of your ticket price will be reimbursed (5% is retained to cover admin expenses). Your travel expenses will NOT be refunded.
4. Participants who are unable to comply with instructions regarding the safe and the orderly running of the workshop will not be allowed to participate and will forfeit their payment for the workshop.
5. Harassment of any kind (sexual, racial, religious, etc) will not be tolerated.
6. If you are under 17 years of age you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has also purchased a ticket to the workshop.
7. All participants must complete the online application form and agree to these terms and conditions.
8. COVID19 REFUND POLICY: If border closures, travel restrictions, or quarantine issues related to COVID19 prevent you from attending the workshop, 95% of your ticket price will be reimbursed (5% is retained to cover admin expenses). Your travel expenses will NOT be refunded.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please email Martin Freney - there is a email web form on the Contact Page.