May
15
to May 16

Clay Plaster Workshop

Step into the world of natural building and experience the beauty, simplicity, and intelligence of working with clay.

Join us for a hands-on, two-day Clay Plaster Workshop (Friday and Saturday) where you’ll learn how to apply clay plaster over strawbale walls on a real, active natural building job site. This is not a classroom, it’s a living, breathing project where you’ll gain practical skills alongside experienced builders.

Clay is one of the most timeless and powerful building materials on Earth. It’s breathable, non-toxic, and naturally regulates humidity, creating healthier indoor environments. It connects us to place, requires minimal processing, and invites a level of creativity and craftsmanship that modern materials often lack. Once you work with it, you begin to understand why humans have built with earth for thousands of years.

What You’ll Experience:

  • Hands-on instruction in clay plaster application

  • Working directly on strawbale construction

  • Guidance from experienced natural builders

  • A deeper understanding of healthy, ecological building practices

Details:

  • Dates: May 15–16 (9am to 5pm each day)

  • Cost: $200

  • Location: On-site natural building project

  • Food: Snacks and drinks provided (please bring your own lunch)

  • Camping: Available on-site and at a nearby state park

Whether you’re curious about natural building, looking to expand your skills, or simply want to work with your hands in a meaningful way, this workshop is an opportunity to learn, connect, and create.

To register, please email Matteo Lundgren. Matteolundgren@gmail

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Lime Plastering Workshop (2 day)
Jul
11
to Jul 12

Lime Plastering Workshop (2 day)

The Finger Lakes School of Natural Building hosts this workshop at the Cob Family Farm!

Join us for a hands-on, two-day immersion into the craft and science of lime plaster, one of the most durable, breathable, and beautiful finishes used in natural building for thousands of years.

Over the course of the weekend, students will work side-by-side with experienced natural builders to apply both a base coat and a finish coat of lime plaster over a cob pallet wall system being constructed for a barn at the Cob Family Farm. This workshop is designed to build confidence, skill, and understanding: no prior experience is required.

What You’ll Learn

  • The fundamentals of lime plaster and how it differs from earthen and cement-based plasters

  • Why lime plaster is valued for its durability, flexibility, vapor permeability, and mold resistance

  • The role lime plays in healthy buildings, indoor air quality, and long-term resilience

  • How lime plaster carbonates over time, slowly turning back into limestone and locking away CO₂

  • Basic troweling techniques, surface preparation, and finishing methods

  • How to mix your own lime plaster from raw ingredients

  • An overview of different lime plaster systems and commercial options, including when and why they may be used

Drawing from best practices taught by leaders in natural building, we’ll discuss how lime plaster fits into modern, code-conscious, and climate-resilient construction. Emphasis will be placed on understanding why lime behaves the way it does, so students leave with knowledge they can apply confidently on future projects.

Schedule: Two Days: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day

Food: Local, organic lunch provided each day

Camping & Accommodations

Participants are welcome to camp on-site for Friday and Saturday night of the workshop for an additional $10 per night per person. Saturday night camping is encouraged for those who want the full experience.

Our 30-foot diameter yurt will serve as a shared community space and includes:

  • Access to a shower

  • Indoor kitchen with a propane stove

  • Large refrigerator for food storage

  • Compost toilet

  • Cozy space for relaxing, reading natural building books, and connecting with others

This shared environment allows participants to fully immerse themselves in the workshop, enjoy meals together, and build meaningful connections with fellow natural building enthusiasts.

Cost: $375 total for the full two-day workshop including lunch each day.
Camping: $10 per night per person

How to Register:

To secure your spot or for any inquiries, please email MatteoLundgren@gmail.com. Spaces are limited, so sign up early!

Cancellations with more than 30 days notice get a full refund. Cancellations with more than 14 days notice would get a full refund minus 10% processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 14 days of the course date.
Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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Sep
24
6:00 PM18:00

Past Talk: Exploring Natural Building Through Stories, Samples & Slides

Join me at the Newfield Library for a talk on how natural materials like clay, straw, and sand can actually make our homes and the environment healthier.

“Natural Building, Real Solutions: Clay, Straw, and Stone; Why the Oldest Building Materials Still Work Best”Imagine a world where every building contributes to clean air, healthy water, and a sense of belonging, that world is possible, and it starts with the materials we choose.
Join natural builder and Cob Therapy founder Matteo Lundgren for an inspiring and down-to-earth talk on how we can create buildings that belong. Rooted in the belief that the materials we build with, shape how we feel and how we relate to the world around us, this talk will explore how nature “builds” itself, and how we can mimic those same principles in our homes, from the simplest backyard project to high-end clay finishes to whole house builds. 

From cob walls and earthen floors to living roofs and breathable clay plasters, Matteo will unpack:

  1. Why our current building materials are making us and our ecosystems sick

  2. How using local natural materials like clay, sand, straw, and stone reduces pollution, protects water, and reconnects us to place

  3. Why natural buildings feel so alive and how they help us feel more alive, too

  4. What lessons we can take from nature's “design tricks” and apply to even modern homes

  5. How natural building is a quiet form of activism, a reimagining of comfort, and a path to healing

Whether you’re a homeowner, a builder, a renter, or someone who just knows something’s not right about how we build today, this talk will offer you inspiration and real choices you may not even know you have.

Let’s talk about natural building and beauty. Let’s talk about health. And let’s reimagine home as a place of belonging for people and the planet.

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Jul
19
3:00 PM15:00

GrassRoots Music Festival Dorodango Workshop

Join me at GrassRoots Music Festival in Trumansburg New York! This mud magic workshop will have you creating your very own Dorodango: Ever polished a ball of mud until it shines like glass? Now’s your chance. In this fun, hands-on workshop, we’ll dive into the art of dorodango—a Japanese earth craft that turns dirt and water into smooth, sparkling treasures. It’s messy. It’s meditative. It’s weirdly satisfying. And it’s a sneaky way to fall in love with cob—the ancient building mix of earth, sand, and straw—while making something beautiful. Come chill, shape some mud, and surprise yourself. All are welcome—especially dreamers, tinkerers, and anyone who likes to get their hands dirty for the sake of art.

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