Natural Building Methods Certificate

Hands-on techniques for creating climate-responsive, low-impact structures using natural materials.

Whether you're an aspiring natural builder or a hands-on learner ready to explore low-impact construction, this immersive course offers the skills, materials knowledge, and experience to help you build with the earth. Over several weeks, you'll get your hands dirty (in the best way) working with natural materials like straw, clay, sand, wood, stone, and lime. Through hands-on workshops and real-world applications, you’ll learn the fundamentals of strawbale and cob construction, clay and lime plasters, earthen floors, and natural paints—while gaining a strong understanding of building science and how these systems work together to create healthy, efficient, climate-responsive structures.

This course is designed with resilience in mind—teaching low-carbon techniques deeply connected to place. Whether you're an owner-builder planning your own natural home or a builder looking to expand your skillset, you’ll leave with a toolkit of techniques and principles to carry into your next project.