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.

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.

I’m so excited for this conversation. This will be a podcast style conversation on Google Meet about why the Natural Building Movement is growing, how to get involved, and what each of us can do next….

To get the Google Meet Link: Email me directly at MatteoLundgren @ Gmail