2-Day Cob + Wattle and Daub

Dates: September 5/6th, 2026 ** FULL - WAITLIST ONLY! **

INSTRUCTORS: Greg + Danielle

STUDENT #: 15 students [maximum]

COST (includes meals):

$380 Early Bird Rate (register 30 days in advance)
$430 Regular Rate
10% discount for BIPOC participants

DESCRIPTION:

In this 2 day workshop you will get hands-on experience making and using two of our favorite earthen building materials - cob and wattle-and-daub. These traditional building methods have been used in various forms throughout history, and remain just as relevant today. Cob and wattle-and-daub are both great options for utilizing clay soil to create beautiful, long lasting, non-toxic walls and structures.

Hands-on learning is our emphasis, so most of each day will be spent working on various projects on campus. We’ll be covering material mixing by foot (on a tarp) and by machine (with a mortar mixer). In this class we’ll be working on a section of earthen courtyard walls that connect to one of our small cottages. We’ll be building up the cob walls free-form with our hands, but also show ways to use a forming system. In addition to cob, we’ll cover another great earthen wall system by getting to mix and install the daub for a wattle and daub courtyard wall. We’ll discuss and demonstrate the planning and installation of window openings and niches as well.

To supplement our hands-on work sessions, there will be time allotted for a tour of some natural cottages on campus, plus discussions/presentations on essential topics.

In addition to our scheduled learning time, there is a wonderful community aspect to our workshops. Students are able to stay on campus - either tenting or renting a cottage. And all meals are provided from Friday’s breakfast through Saturday’s lunch, which are shared as a group in our community gathering space.

Expect to leave the workshop with the confidence and knowledge to take on clay-based walls in your own natural building project!

HANDS-ON:
* mixing cob by foot
* mixing cob by machine, using a mortar mixer
* building with cob freehand
* installing cob using forms
* installing windows in a cob wall
* adding niches
* mixing wattle and daub
* installing wattle and daub
DISCUSSION:
* “Exploring clay soils”
* CAMPUS TOUR! - We’ll tour campus buildings, as a general Q+A
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-12:45 Morning work session
12:45-1:45 Lunch
1:45-5:30 Afternoon work session
5:30-6:30 Unscheduled (Shower, relax)
6:30 Dinner! (only on Friday)
And all meals are provided from Friday’s breakfast through Saturday’s lunch. Food is vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options available.
We provide a simple breakfast spread of fresh fruit, oatmeal packets, yogurt & granola, coffee, and tea. (Non-dairy oat and almond milk are available)
Lunches are hearty vegetarian meals, catered by local small businesses. Vegan and gluten-free options are available upon request.
***There is no dinner on Day 2
Tent sites are free!
We have 6 tiny sleeping cottages available to rent - 4 with natural walls, and 2 wooden A-frames. See the options here. Each cottage provides the basics- a mattress with fresh bedding, a lamp, and a fan. If you’re interested in a cottage, there is space to let us know on the registration form.
Check out our FAQ page for more info about nearby towns.
This workshop is held at the Mud Dauber campus, adjacent to our small homestead, in Snow Camp, NC.
We are 10 min away from Saxapahaw, 20 minutes from Siler City & Pittsboro, 30 minutes from Carrboro/Chapel Hill, and one hour from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

REGISTER:

Click below to fill out the registration form and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours to confirm availability and discuss payment. We look forward to seeing you here!

Please read our Refund Policy here.