Earth & Fire: Building an Earthen Oven

A workshop on creating an earthen oven while connecting to the elements, nature and self.

Learn to build a sculptural pizza oven, combining function and form, practicality and beauty, building and art. On the weekend of June 29th and 30th in Tauranga, join us in connecting to the earth and stars, whilst building an oven out of earthen materials.

The great cosmic clock above us is turning. Rising stars mark the new year- a brief moment of cosmic equilibrium before our days begin to get longer and brighter again. This time of Matariki in the depth of winter is a time for introspection and reflection. 

This workshop will provide skills and knowledge on the fundamentals of earth-building, while also offering a space to go inward. We’ll connect with the elements of fire and earth as internal archetypes as well as sacred physical elements. It’s a space to meet each other and connect as our authentic selves.

What We’ll Be Covering:

• Using earth, straw and sand as building materials
• Soil and material selection
• Design and set-out of a cob oven
• How to make natural insulation and thermal mass
• Sculptural cob, using earthen materials creatively
• Basic natural carpentry knowledge (an introduction to chemical-free building, roundwood timber framing, traditional joint work, species selection and harvesting)
• Grounding and connection exercises 
• Evening around the fire, ritual magic

About The Hosts:

Iza: After graduating from architectural studies, Iza was left dissatisfied with the harmful conventional construction industry. They sought refuge within the culture of earth-building. Here, they connected with like-minded people who cared deeply about the planet, the housing crisis, and each other. They travelled across the motu to over 15 different earth-building projects from simple earth plastering to the recently completed co-designed and co-built 28m2 strawbale roundhouse they worked on with Julian and many others. They’re passionate about sharing this joyful, muddy way of being and have now taught at 10+ workshops and seminars. You can find more of their mahi here: @wanderingearthbuilder

Julian: Julian is a dedicated Natural builder with a passion for stepping out of squares and creating spaces of radiant beauty and deep function that don’t cost the world. Well-designed buildings with carefully selected natural materials have been proven to last for centuries and outperform modern commercial building styles in almost every way. He has an artistic carpentry style that fuses natural shapes and sacred geometry.

Cost:

Iza is currently fundraising to study a Masters of Sustainable Architecture in Wales and a portion of these fees will contribute to making this dream possible. You can read more about their fundraiser here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-fund-my-sustainable-architecture-masters

Natural building has brought us both a deeper sense of fulfilment and purpose so we want to make this space accessible, therefore, we are using a sliding scale. If you have more money, please consider paying more to help cover those who can’t afford it. If you have less, rest easy trusting that those with enough have made it possible for you to still attend. 

Standard- $100 per day (4 tickets available) SOLD OUT

Concession- $65-99 per day (3 tickets available) SOLD OUT

Supporter- $101-$150 per day (3 tickets available)

A hearty winter lunch  is included each day with ingredients from the permaculture gardens on the land and local markets.

Location:

This workshop is held on Whakamarama Rd (25 min outside of Tauranga). The exact address and more information will be emailed to you after your ticket has been purchased. There is no accommodation on the land.

See you soon!