Rammed earth wall construction is a specialized field that requires skill, experience and knowledge to do properly. Like other occupations such as stone masonry or carpentry, training is required to become competent. Building walls for landscaping, gardening or where non-insulated walls can be used we offer workshops that teach people to do the basics properly. When it comes to building houses or other buildings where training is more important we offer apprenticeship workshops and ongoing training.
“Insulated Rammed Earth Building” - Workshops and ongoing training:
Apprenticeship Program
The purpose of this program is to create professional rammed earth wall builders or owner/builders who are competently trained. Learn about all aspects of making insulated rammed earth walls for houses and walls for landscaping applications.
Apprentices will learn by doing on 1 or more projects (optional) and demonstrate competency in:
- Foundation construction
- Material Selection
- Mix quality control
- Forming
- Installation of electrical boxes and conduits
- Insulated rammed earth methods
- Wall and sample testing
- Curing & sealing walls
- Skid steer operation (Bobcat)
By developing an ongoing relationship over time, during multiple projects, an apprentice will learn to build high quality walls from experienced rammed earth builders. From time to time we will offer apprentices who have completed a workshop paid work on our projects for an extended period of time, further offering more building experience. Apprentices may also arrange for us to work on a project in their home town where they will have an opportunity to further their training, while we guide the rammed earth portion of the project.
Location and dates:
Salt Spring Island, BC May, 2012 ( to be announced)
Cost: $ 1,800
Deposit of $900 is required to reserve a space, refundable up to 3 weeks before start date.
What you need to bring : CSA approved work boots, enthusiasm!
Repeat courses are only 1/2 price to encourage further competency and experience.
“Rammed Earth Wall Building for Landscaping Projects“ - Workshop :
This is a 6 day hands on course that teaches the basics of rammed earth construction for landscaping or non-insulated walls…learn by doing! Some other people say they have a hands on course, the hands on is making a tiny sample (around 12″ x 12″) while basically selling you on their way of doing things which eventually leads to contracts you will not like, so don’t be fooled. In our workshop you will be shown exactly how to efficiently form and ram a wall from professionals. This course is actually real work, it involves forming up for walls and then shoveling and ramming the material in the forms, then removing the forms the next day and feeling the satisfaction of creating an object of beauty. You will also learn about proper material selection,tools to use and mixing etc. with lots of time for Q & A about building rammed earth walls.
Location and dates:
Dates for 2012 to be announced
During this course we will be forming and ramming a 50′ long fence section. Also we will be viewing 2 or 3 other rammed earth projects.
Cost: $ 600
Deposit of $300 is required to reserve a space, refundable up to 3 weeks before start date.
You will need to bring: gloves, CSA approved work boots, clothes that can get dirty.
Must bring enthusiasm!
By the end of this course you will know how to make your own walls for landscaping purposes. This course does not qualify a person to build structural or insulated rammed earth walls for buildings.
Repeat the course anytime for only $300 and continue to improve your skills.