The NBC20 crowd
What do you get when you assemble 150 natural builders and seven days in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico? A whole lot of jabbering, that’s for sure. Seriously though, the recent Natural Building Colloquium is what I’m referring to. April and I just returned from a long stint out west, where we participated in the 20th (!) anniversary Natural Building Colloquium (NBC). Twenty years ago (21 to be really precise), the idea was hatched to gather individuals from across the country to share ideas and inspiration, and to further the goals of the natural building community. And thus the Colloquium was born. A lot has happened in the time since the first gathering, and this year’s event provided a great opportunity to reflect on the history of the movement.
Natural Building Colloquium 2015 Reflections
In 2009, I attended my first NBC in southern Oregon. At that time, I had just moved into my first cob house. I was still very fresh in the world of natural building, and that gathering was a formative experience for me. (I actually still feel very fresh…) It really grounded me in a far-flung community of builders, and opened up my mind to new ideas and techniques being practiced all over the world. I also got to meet and spend time with my idols Ianto Evans and Linda Smiley and many other great folks. Since that time I’ve been looking forward to attending another Colloquium, and when I caught wind of this year’s event, I knew I had to make it work out no matter what. I’m glad that I did.
The historic Black Range Lodge, NBC headquarters
The NBC20 took place in Kingston, New Mexico at the Black Range Lodge, home of Catherine Wanek of Builders Without Borders. The setting was nothing short of beautiful. (The drive to get all the way there was nothing short of plodding… yow.) The Lodge itself is a historic building from the time when Kingston was a town full of silver miners in the late 1800s.
A sweet cob garden wall with stone foundation on the Lodge property
The roof of a treehouse built by SunRay Kelly during the NBC
Like I said above, there were 150+ people in attendance. Countries represented included the US, Canada, Mexico, Denmark, Taiwan, Great Britain, and Japan. I must admit it was a bit overwhelming. I wish I had more time to meet and chat with more folks. The schedule was jam-packed with interesting presentations, discussions, and work projects. There was no shortage of things to do and experience. My favorite part was getting to meeting new people, some of whom I’ve only had email contact with. I definitely came home with some new knowledge of specific building techniques that I’m really excited about, too.
Deanne and Flemming, two very sweet natural builders
Other highlights included seeing a sweet rocket stove-style griddle & barrel oven built from start to finish by Max Edleson and Flemming Abrahamsson, discussing the nitty gritty of Japanese plaster techniques and trowels with Kyle Holzheuter and Emily Reynolds, making a polished clay ball, soaking in the beauty of the Gila National Forest, working with New Mexico clay plaster, meeting Satomi Lander and visiting her sweet home next door to the Lodge… and plenty more.
Walking around the creek in Kingston during some free time
Natural building is a great way to get connected back to our roots, and to develop a deeper relationship with local ecological communities. Spending time with other natural builders is like a multiplier effect — it reinforces all those benefits and creates a powerful web of social connections that hold the whole lovey thing together. I think that Natural Building Colloquium is powerful in that respect.
Leslie and Mark jam out
In my next posts, I’ll highlight some of the specific projects from the event. Until then, check out some reflections from Kelly Hart on the Natural Building Blog, and photos from Rachel Preston Prinz.
This is a great read! Thank you Ziggy! Lovely pictures as well!
regarding natural clay plasters,paints for indoors. I have found that clay paints sometimes mildew (aliz) in a damp environment, Borax is a commonly used anti fungal ,not sure as to how eco groovy it is . I am currently experimenting with Usnea, Black walnut hull extract, and using water off sauerkraut. (friendly bacteria perverts less friendly molds and mildews in food,but will it work on walls and for how long before the dead bacteria ends up as mold food?!) Also it is easy to buy and use Iron colorants of many shades to custom color clay plasterers indoors I prefer to use it as a plaster,add fibe9and apply 1/8″thick (nylon,buy cheap at masonry supply) (( email me separately for speech on why it makes sense to use plastic in natural building)) A great gluten free substitute for Aliz is using Natural Agave,Nopal cactus or aloe as a binder! makes a fantastic strong FLEXIBLE coating that lasts years,can also mildew. for exterior finish plaster I use sand, clay, fiber, oil, (any kind,around a litre to a hundred pounds )and Cow dung (for magic )) about a shovel full OMG comes out HARD,strong kid proof, and weather proof if oiled to capacity,and then oiled every four years. Nico Morris (Nico morris is a master potter who turned to cob in 1988, not quite dry yet) ,he has found Natural Builders in Sonoma County Ca. to be secretive and reclusive, and consequently turned to working with Children in local schools, and Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. taught some at PSC and for OAEC and RDNA in Bolinas. Currently focused on up-cycle art , he Nevertheless continues a tradition of innovation in Natural building techniques. Contact for more info