2007 Workshop Schedule

All workshops are being organized by Elke Cole. Please check out http://www.elkecole.com/ to learn more and to register.

May 6-12, June 17-23, August 15-19, plus possibly more.

Eco-Sense Workshop series
Be part of the leading sustainability project in greater Victoria. Located on eight glorious Highland acres the Eco-Sense project is rising up out of the land. This new project started in February 206 and already the first cob building is completed. The 230 sq ft woodworking shop will inspire us as we continue work on the main 1550 sqft two story loadbearing cob house. Complete sustainability is so much more than a beautiful earthen building as it encompasses the best of modern technologies within all of the systems. The home will be powered by the sun and wind with a state of the art grid inter-tie net metering system with BC Hydro. Solar water heating tubes will provide domestic hot water and hydronic in-floor heat for the thermal mass building. The home will also feature a rain water catchment system, composting toilets and re-use all of it’s grey water for irrigation of fruit trees. All of this will be surrounded by organic vegetable gardens in the future. For more general information about the project visit www.eco-sense.ca
The workshops will be part of the ongoing construction process of the house - content may vary due to demands of the building progress.

May 6-12, 2007 eco-sense 1: cob building from the start

materials evaluation, choices
structural considerations
mixing cob
wall building
trimming
windows/ doors
arches
earthen floor with hydronic heat

June 17-23, 2007 eco-sense 2: gettin’ higher cob building

review basics
arches
trimming
special mixes
detailing
connections to roof and other building components
second floor structure
lightclay infill
team building

August 15-19, 2007 eco-sense 3: towards finishing

aesthetics
materials and mixes
browncoat earth plaster
relief sculpture

October TBA, eco-sense 4: Plaster!

natural plaster materials
tools and techniques
mixing and applying
All workshops include theory breaks covering topics like off grid living, natural house design, related natural building methods, and aspects of the construction that cannot be covered in practice. Participants are invited to present their topics of expertise if they wish.
An important part of working together is getting to know each other. We take time to share stories, pay attention to our wellbeing and support each other when challenges arise. You will go home with a new set of team skills and a handful of new friends! Participants who take the full series will receive a natural builder’s passport.
The site is within commuting distance from Victoria. Camping is not included in the basic fee, but is available for those joining us from a distance.

Costs : include snack, lunch and instruction

7 days $630 , applies to May and June workshops
5 days $450, for the August workshop

Discounts are available as follows:

early registration (register before April 1) 10% off
couples 10% off
returning participants 10% off
complete series 10% off
Please note max discount 20%.

Check out www.elkecole.com to register

Cob Workshop Expenses

Materials
Clay Free
8 straw bales 88
Sand 320
Geotextile 1071
rebar 244
EcoSmart Concrete 955
Cement and navijack for stem wall 192
Local lumber for roof 850
Roof sheathing 343
Living roof membrane (45mil EPDM) 844
Rigid styrofoam - used 40
Floor (road base - 6 trailer loads) 144
rental (rock drill + compactor) 106
Misc (used door, tools, roof clips etc) 114
TOTAL MATERIALS $5,311

Professional Services

Engineer (David Romain) still to come
Geotechnical Engineer (Scott Currie) 250
Designer (Elke Cole) 800
Building Permit 220
Certificate of title (required for permit) 13
TOTAL PROFESSIONAL FEES $1,283

Building Covenent Change
JE Anderson Surveyer 3064
Legal 1145
Highland District cost transfer 68
TOTAL BUILDING COVENENT FEES $4,277

Free Workshop Course (7 day)

Instructor (Elke Cole) 2100
Food (Snacks, lunches, 1 dinner) 794
Food (Lifestyles vouchers) -250
TOTAL WORKSHOP COSTS $2,644

Total Cost $13,515

Hello All,

Here are some details for the workshop:

Address: 3295 Compton Road

Driving instructions: We have a map on our web page…just click where it says contact in the top right corner. www.eco-sense.ca If you are coming down the highway from Nanaimo take the Helmicken exit north (left) and follow signs past the Hospital. If you are coming down the highway from Victoria take the Helmicken exit north (right) and follow signs past the Hospital. At the second set of lights turn left onto Burnside and follow this a ways to the turn off onto Propect lake road (following signs to Francis King park). Keep following signs to this park and turn left onto Munn’s road. Pass through the park and wind your way along Munn road. Pass Rolla place on the right, pass Bukin road on the left, pass Woodridge on the right, and take the next left onto Compton road. Our place is 3295 and is the third driveway on the left…looks like a big gravel pit with a large metal container. Our trailer is at the top. You can walk up or drive whatever your preference but most cars will have to park at the bottom for the workshop. Camping will be up top on old roads.

Food: Lunches will be provided for everyone and breakfast and dinner for those camping on site. Food will be a wide variety but not completely vegetarian. We will have some meat in some meals and there will be some veggy options. Some food will be organic as the Lifestyles Market has donated some gift certificates. Veggies will be local when possible and many grown without sprays. Our cooking facilities will be our two trailers and only we will have access to this area. (They are one bum kitchens - a term used by my grandmother many years ago) We are hoping to purchase a large stainless steel BBQ as this will facilitate some cooking and last a lifetime. If you have more specific food requirements please bring your own but cooking facilities are not available.

Water: Lots available as we are hooked up to the well - No chlorine - please bring a water bottle.

Camping: There are many old and overgrown side roads on the 8 acres of land which are ideal for setting up a tent.

Toilet and Shower: We have built two outside composting toilets…they look like nice outhouses but without the smell. Composting system is based on the the book “The Humanure Handbook” by Joseph Jenkins. Check out the pictures on our webpage. We have built a temporary outside shower with a changing area suitable for one person at a time. This is hooked up to our travel trailer so hot water is limited. Shower by getting wet and turning off while soaping up and lathering - there is a twisty valve on the shower head to do this. Our small electric hot water tank takes about 20 minutes to heat up again and does two showers.

Other details: For those camping please arrive the Friday evening before to set up your tent and get settled. We also request that everyone be gentle to the land, stay on established trails when possible, and be respectful of our neighbors.

If you have any more questions or I have left out any important info please let me know.

Looking forward to meeting you all and building a workshop.

Ann and Gord