Canada Intensive Cob Workshop
7th to 25th of July, 2026
O.U.R. Ecovillage
Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, Canada
We are going to Canada, to a FANTASTIC spot in Vancouver Island: O.U.R. Ecovillage! Join us for a unique theoretical and hands-on cob workshop. In this 3-week intensive experience, we will design and build a complete cob composting toilet added to an existing cob structure - from stone foundations all the way to the living roof!
During week 1, we will focus on stone foundations and begin shaping the cob walls. In week 2, we'll bring the structure to life: completing the walls, integrating windows and doors, sculpting shelves and niches, and building a beautiful green roof. Finally, week 3 is our Art & Mud Week, dedicated to creative expression: sculptural work, earthen and lime plasters, and refining finishes to elevate both function and beauty.
Through this immersive process, you'll gain the knowledge and practical skills to build your own cob structure - from the ground up. The workshop is designed with a balance of 70% hands-on practice and 30% theory, covering essential topics such as cob wall techniques, stone foundation principles, the benefits of earthen building, soil testing, how to prepare and apply earthen and lime plasters, how to sculpt with cob, and much more!
Whether you're dreaming of building your own cabin or natural structure, this workshop will give you the confidence and tools to get started, and connect with like-minded people!
Join us for this intensive experience and become part of the TIERRAMIGO community, gaining access to the community chat to connect with others and learn about additional trainings with special discounts.
THE PLACE
O.U.R. Ecovillage is a 25-acre regenerative living demonstration site and educational research center. Bringing together people, cultures, and knowledge from around the world, they've created a unique space for ecological design, hands-on learning, and community-based living systems.
They invite visitors to immerse themselves in a restorative learning environment and peacemaking space, while honoring the Indigenous peoples and ancestral histories of the land.
At the core of their philosophy is a simple idea: everyone is both a teacher and a learner. Through immersive, hands-on experiences, participants are encouraged to step into both roles—deepening their understanding by practicing, sharing, and teaching others. This circular exchange of knowledge strengthens learning, builds confidence, and supports meaningful work done by the community, through the community, and for the community.
It's such an amazing place! Not only for the raw beauty of the land, but for the intention that lives within it: the care, the vision, and the relationship they are cultivating with both the earth and the people.
The presence of so many earthen buildings, standing strong after years, quietly tells the story of what is possible. It's both inspiring and reassuring: a living example of what we are actually going to do!
It's a living community, a breathing school, where learning is constantly unfolding. Many programs happen side by side, weaving a rich and dynamic environment. During our intensive cob workshop, a Permaculture Design Course will also be taking place, and we'll share the space, the energy, and the experience: learning from one another, supporting each other, and growing together in a truly collaborative way!
COURSE DETAILS
Cob is a very inclusive, organic, and creative earthen building technique that allows us to shape walls freely, working with curves very easily. In this way, we can sculpt a house, turning it into a collective work of art.
The 3-weeks intensive workshop will be divided into 3 modules, starting the 6th with a welcome dinner and the workshop introduction.
MODULE 1 - From Ground to Wall: Foundations of Cob Building
7th to 11th of July (tuesday to saturday)
The first week we will build the stone foundation for the cob walls. On the practical side, we'll begin bringing the structure to life. Together, we'll build the stone foundation for the cob walls—digging and preparing the trench, laying the base for a cob floor, and installing the door frames that will shape the space.
Alongside the hands-on work, we'll dive into the core principles of earthen building. You'll be introduced to different natural building techniques and explore clay soil as the essential ingredient of cob building. Through practical exercises, you'll learn how to test and analyze soils, developing the ability to understand, select, and work with materials from your own land. We will start the practice of Cob by building the first half of the wall!
The intention of this module is to give you a strong foundation in earthen building: understanding its benefits, learning how to read and stabilize clay soils, preparing the cob mix, and beginning to build with confidence: step by step, layer by layer.
MODULE 2 - Raising the Walls: Cob Craft & Living Roof
13th to 18th of July (monday to saturday)
In the second module, the structure truly begins to take shape. We'll continue building the cob walls, exploring the many creative and functional possibilities they offer: integrating windows, niches, shelves, bottle features, and sculptural elements that make each structure unique and alive.
This is where you'll deepen your understanding of cob as a building technique: from mixing and material selection to proper wall construction and structural integrity.
To complete the structure, we'll build a shed-style roof and bring it to life with a green, living layer. You'll learn how to design and build a vernacular green roof, understanding the materials, layering systems, and techniques needed to create a resilient and beautiful living cover.
MODULE 3 - Art and Mud: Sculpting and Natural Finishes
21st and 25th of July (tuesday to saturday)
The final module opens the door to creativity, expression, and refinement: this is where building truly becomes art. We'll dive into the artistic side of cob through sculpting and plastering, exploring the material not just as a building technique, but as a medium for creativity. It's a playful and inspiring week, where you'll discover the full expressive potential of working with earth.
Beyond shaping the compost toilet structure, there will be additional spaces around the Ecovillage dedicated to sculptural work, giving everyone the opportunity to experiment, create, and bring their own ideas to life.
Once the sculpting is complete, we'll move into the world of natural finishes. You'll learn how to design, test, and apply both earthen and lime plasters: understanding their composition, additives, and techniques. Using local soils and aggregates, we'll create our own plaster recipes and apply them to the walls, bringing the structure to its final form with rich textures and natural earthen colors.
Note: some of these photos are from workshops organized by CruzinCobGlobal and taught by Tierramigo.
CONTENT
- Understanding clay and its properties
- How to test and assess clay soil for building
- Introduction to other natural building techniques
- Benefits of earth as a building material
- Stone foundation principles
- Cob: how to mix and build
- Wall insertions: windows, doors, niches, shelves and more!
- Shed roof structure with a vernacular green roof
- Earthen plasters: how to test, stabilize and apply fine plasters
- Lime plasters and lime cycle
- Sculpting with cob
Feel free to ask questions throughout - we are here to help!
All course materials will
be provided digitally after the workshop
DAILY SCHEDULE
The daily schedule may be subject to weather conditions or slight modifications.
07:30 to 08:30 - Breakfast
08:30 to 12:30 - Morning Session
12:30 to 14:30 - Lunch
14:30 to 17:00 - Afternoon Session
18:00 to 19:00 - Dinner
Some afternoons we will have lectures related to the topics we are working on. On certain evenings, we will also have video nights or presentations connected to the workshop themes, serving as a complement to the learning experience.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Be prepared for physical work, so please bring suitable clothing, closed-toe shoes, flip flops and rubber gloves. Don't forget a hat, water bottle, and a notebook - anything you need to feel comfortable!
We also encourage you to bring a sample of your own soil for testing and analysis during the course.
This workshop will be taught in English, with real-time translation into Spanish if needed.
During the workshop, a videographer will be documenting the experience through photos and video. Some of this content may be used for promotional purposes, including print and online materials, to support Tierramigo in building community and sharing future courses and events. If you prefer not to appear in any media, please let us know.
CAMPING AND MEALS
Accommodation is included. You can choose a bed in a shared room or a camping spot in case you want to have more privacy. You need to bring your own gear to stay comfortable. If you have any special requirements, let us know in advance.
All meals are included during the workshop: breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy fresh cooked meals including organic veggies, herbs, and fruits grown from their 10 acres of farmland, and eggs from their chickens. Meals will be balanced and nutritious to keep you energized. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know and we will try our best to accommodate your needs. We often serve vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options – to suit the needs of the variety of eaters out there.
TRANSPORTATION
to be filled up.
REGISTRATION AND FEES
You can choose from different options: take just one module or all three!
Module 1 - From Ground to Wall: Foundations of Cob Building
7th to 11th of July (tuesday to saturday)
CAD$ 1200 (regular rate)
Module 2 - Raising the Walls: Cob Craft & Living Roof
13th to 18th of July (monday to saturday)
CAD$ 1200 (regular rate)
Module 3 - Art and Mud: Sculpting and Natural Finishes
21st and 25th of July (tuesday to saturday)
CAD$ 1200 (regular rate)
2-week Cob Intensive - Modules 1 and 2
CAD$ 1850 Early Bird! (until May 15th)
CAD$ 2100 (regular rate)
3-week Full Cob Workshop - Modules 1, 2 and 3!
CAD$ 2800 Early Bird! (until May 15th)
CAD$ 3100 (regular rate)
The price includes accommodation and three hearty meals per day.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 14 participants. To register, fill out the form or contact Nico at tierramigo@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +569 9089 7292.
To save your spot you have to make a CAD$ 600 deposit and pay the rest by May 30th - or do the full payment at once. After May 30th, full payment is required. Payments can be made via bank transfer, Wise, PayPal or credit card with a +5% processing fee.
There are 2 work-trade positions available. Each work-trade offers a CAD$ 75 discount per module in exchange for 1 hour of work per day for site preparation. Feel free to ask about or propose another type of exchange if you wish to participate in this experience!
Members of the TIERRAMIGO community receive a 10% discount.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Nico Pimentel is a Chilean architect and natural builder founder of Tierramigo.
He is also the co-founder of PIWA, an architecture and design studio based in Chile, focused on housing and hospitality projects in rural areas, with a strong sensitivity to the landscape, the use of natural materials, and passive solar design techniques.
Since 2017, Nico has explored earthen building techniques and facilitated international workshops in various formats: from full builds to mid- and short-term trainings, working throughout Latin America and Europe.
He co-founded Jungla Peumayen, a wildlife and ecosystem conservation reserve in southern Chile, and Kalina, a creative hub and workspace located in the forests of northern Patagonia, where he is developing a Summer School and Fellowship program.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you need to cancel after registering for any reason, your payment will be subject to the following cancellation policy:
Cancellations notice given more than 30 days before the start of the course will receive a 95% refund of the total program price you choose. The 5% retention covers administrative fees and inconveniences.
Cancellations notice given between 14 - 30 days of the start of the course will receive a 50% refund of the total program price you choose. The retained amount will be kept as credit for a future workshop with Tierramigo.
Cancellations notice given less than 14 days before the start of the course are non-refundable.
The retained amount will be kept as credit for a future workshop with Tierramigo.
If the workshop is cancelled by the organizers, you will receive a full refund.