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All your questions and supportive comments have kept me busy (and keep 'em coming!)...I really appreciate how you let me know what helps and inspires you! That's my #1 goal: create more cobbers; produce less climate changers! For those that haven't had the time to send me your thoughts and questions, here's an email that I hope resolves most of what you've been wondering. This is a compilation of what I've fielded so far, in hopes that it includes the questions on your list: Q: Why do you call it Fast Cob/what's so fast about your cob? A: Fast Cob! is noticeably and measurably faster than the cob technique I learned in 1996 and that is still widely used throughout North America. Some folks have mechanized cob (with mortar mixers, bobcats, etc), but I haven't got a sense of what they are capable of yet. I do know, through my own measurements and comparisons, that Fast Cob! is 10x faster to mix than regular cob and up to 30x faster to put on a wall...you can see for yourself here.  More importantly, Fast Cob! doesn't exhaust you. I can cob all day everyday. Even young, very fit people can't sustain the slower technique. Why build slower, when you could builder easier? Q: What can I build with Fast Cob! A: Virtually anything that has a roof and a foundation. If you don't care about longevity, then anything at all, that you don't want to move. Cob is not portable, so trailers or movable ovens aren't recommended, but homes, offices, studios, ovens, sheds, outbuildings, garages, storage boxes, fences, retaining walls, steps, stairs,..., you dream it and we can cob it. Q: How much does it cost to build a cob building? A: It depends on the size and complexity (as every building technique does), but generally speaking, it's half the price of conventional (timber-frame) building (roughly $200/sq.ft.). If you do everything yourself, it can cost in the hundreds. More realistic DIY cost would be $10-20/sq.ft. A detailed break-down of the costs of building a 400 sq.ft. home with Fast Cob! can be found here. Q: How fast can I build something? A: My first building is a 9' in diameter utility shed with a sleeping loft. With the old method, we guessed that it would be built in 6 days by 6 people. Wrong. Add another 2 days with 8 people and we still didn't finish. Add another 6 days with 10 people and we still didn't finish. Then, with Fast Cob!, I finished the loft by myself over two weekends. Now, I've enhanced our Fast Cob! technique to the point that I can build a 400 sq ft, 1 bedroom cabin in a month, including the foundation and metal roof, working 6-day weeks, 7 hours/day. I can easily build 5 cu.ft. of upper wall in an hour; with Super-Fast Cob! that doubles but is only possible at the base of walls. Our 400 sq.ft cabin example has 80 linear feet of 1 foot thick exterior wall that ranges from 7' to 12' high. That's 560 cu.ft for the lower 7' portion, plus another 100 cu.ft. of cob plus windows and doors. So 660 cu.ft of cob will be built in 660/5 = 132 hours or 19 7hr-person-days. Compare this to years - yes, years - with regular cob and any other natural building technique that I'm aware of. Obviously people new to Fast Cob! will initially take longer to build a structure, but I know younger, stronger folks will easily outpace my numbers.  Q: How many people can attend each workshop? A: I limit the number of participants to 6. Before I started instructing, we hosted groups of 10 and 8 and both times I felt like some people left with fewer skills than they would have with less people present. These workshops are designed to ensure you have the maximum exposure to everything you need to be able to walk away and start building on your own. If you have special needs or simply want to focus on a particular aspect of building, just let me know and I'll make sure you are matched with the workshop that will support those needs and focus best. Before the advent of Fast Cob!, I hosted workshops so I could build. Now that I can and do build on my own - thanks to Fast Cob! - I host workshops to spread the ease and joy of Natural Building. These workshops are geared first and foremost to give you the skills you need to start building on your own.  Q: Can children attend workshops? A: Absolutely, YES. Women and families are especially encouraged to apply. Fast Cob! is safe and fun for all ages, genders, and orientations. Last year, our ages ranged from 9 to 68, while previous years saw 4, 6, and 8 year olds having the time of their lives. No matter what your age, you're welcome at our workshops... Q: I have a special diet; can you accommodate me? A: Absolutely. We regularly host participants that range from gluten-free to allergic to specific foods. Just let us know when you apply so we can be sure to create a menu that is delicious and nutritious for you. Q: Do I need to bring a bike to the workshop? A: No, but bringing one makes it easier to get from the ferry to the workshop site, and it also enables you to come along for our evening Tour de Cob. If biking simply doesn't work for you, I can offer a ride on the back of our tandem and certainly carry your things in our bike trailer. Q: Are there many tools needed to get started? A: No. The entire kit can be found or purchased used (at garage sales, thrift stores and the like) and purchased new would cost a few hundred. We're talking about a wheelbarrow, garden hose, sprayer nozzle, 10-20 tarps (one larger can be cut into many smaller), shovel, level, used hand saw, garden spade, rubber boots and maybe some knee pads. I will send you a complete list of what to bring and expect after you apply and confirm your spot in one of our workshops. Q: When are your workshops? A: All of our workshops start on Saturday afternoon (with a Welcome Dinner) and end the following Saturday morning (with a Farewell Breakfast). The specific dates of this year's workshops are:
 Q: Is camping the only option for your workshops? A: Not anymore. Camping is included in the workshop fee, but we also offer a Guest (Cob) House and a Guest (Prospector) Tent for those wanting a real bed to sleep on during the workshop. Just let us know when you apply so we can reserve it just for you.  Q: When does the Early Bird rate end?
A: Midnight Tonight! After that our regular rate applies for any spots that haven't been filled. If you've been wanting to build your dream but don't want to go into debt or harm our planet any further, here's your chance to make that change! Simply go to cob.lasqueti.ca/workshops and fill in the form at the bottom. I'll be in touch soon to help you on your way... And really, don't delay. The workshops are filling up and I wouldn't want you to miss out. P.S. If you want to read how Fast Cob! prevents Climate Change, just click here. To compare Fast Cob! with conventional building in terms of pollution and waste creation, just click here. If you want read about the health benefits and how to sculpt beauty into your own home, just click here. If you want to join us at one of our 2016 workshops, just click here!
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A few days ago, I showed you how Cob, and Fast Cob! in particular, can be used to build a home without the need to go into debt. It's true: no loans or years of savings are needed to build naturally! For instance, a 400 sq. ft. one bedroom cottage would cost less than $4,000. You read that right - there are only 3 zeros in that pricetag. For the complete breakdown, just click here.... Climate Change is another reality and it isn't going to stop unless we change our civilized ways...and soon! Today, building is a huge source of carbon emissions, both in the manufacture of homes and offices as well as the heating and cooling of them. Fast Cob! compares to conventional building practices in terms of speed, but there's no comparison when it comes to carbon-emissions, toxics creation, after-life disposal, heating/cooling, and length of service life. Check it out: Fast Cob! (vs. conventional)
And this year, we have at least 3 different opportunities for you to learn our Fast Cob! technique:
Warning: these workshops are filling up fast! This year, we can offer real beds for those that don't want to camp in their own tent. For a modest extra fee (camping in your own tent is included in our workshop package), you can choose between:
Until midnight on March 31, 2016, you can enjoy any of our 6 day intensive Learn-to-Build-from-the-Ground-UP Fast Cob! workshops for only $675...that's 25% off our regular rate. Please also note that women and families are especially encouraged to apply. Fast Cob! is safe and fun for all ages, genders, and orientations. Last year, our ages ranged from 9 to 68, while previous years saw 4, 6, and 8 year olds having the time of their lives. Here is some more feedback from past workshop participants: "Wonderful, challenging, thought-provoking, exhausting, delicious, green, delightful in every way." "My experience at the workshop was empowering and a wonderful learning experience in natural building and collaboration." "Instruction was excellent. Dave knows and lives cob and this is evident in his responses to questions posed by workshop attendees." "You always had thoughtful and insightful answers to any of my questions...I liked how the pace was determined by the participants." “It was empowering! I really feel like in a short week like I can get going on building my own cob house!” “Learning what we needed to know as we put it to practical use rather than spending a lot of time on theory was a useful approach for me.” If you've been wanting to build your dream but don't want to go into debt or harm our planet any further, here's your chance to make that change! Simply go to cob.lasqueti.ca/workshops and fill in the form at the bottom. I'll be in touch soon to help you on your way... Together, we can survive Climate Change...but let's not delay any longer! You'll also find free online Fast Cob! training videos here...heck, you may not even need to take a workshop to get yourself building with ease and joy! Let's spread the word so this planet doesn't burn us all up... Many people have been contacting me about our upcoming workshops, and we are finally ready to shift our focus to these magical weeks. Fast Cob! makes it possible to build your dream (home, office, greenhouse, garage, castle, shed, you-name-it) without going into debt and without machines, special tools, or hordes of people.
Fast Cob! is fun, easy, affordable, long-lasting (like, hundreds of years), fireproof, insect-proof, rodent-proof, and at the very least, earthquake resistant (who knows how big the Big One will be). Fast Cob! won't make a mountain of garbage: not in the building stage and not in the demolition stage. You build with the earth and any excess simply goes back to the earth. Fast Cob! is healthy - it breathes - so your buildings don't mould, mildew, or create toxic or even stale air. Fast Cob! is easy to maintain and live with: it naturally keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Fast Cob! is gorgeous...you literally hand-sculpt beauty into everything you create...it inspires creativity! But don't just take my word for it...here's what people who have taken our workshops say: "The best thing that happened is I really feel able to build my own cob house!!!!" "Overall a really amazing week. I didn't expect to learn so much in one week, I really think I would have the confidence to start my own cob building project...really beautiful camp site in the 'burbs'" “I enjoyed how you let us experiment and fail and learn on the fly.” “Transformative and empowering!” “You have no idea how excited I am that I now pretty much know how to build a house out of dirt.” Every one of our 21 workshops to date have been uniquely magical; the people that have graced us by their energy and enthusiasm have made us so eager to continue this tradition and spread the word. Each workshop has a limit of 6 participants and features hands-on, one-on-one instruction during each of our 30 learning sessions, ample time for every question to be answered, and an environment that is breath-takingly beautiful. Our camping sites are quiet, clean, and in a beautiful forest. All of our workshops include 3 hot, homemade vegetarian meals and 2 nutritious snacks every day, made from fresh, local and organic ingredients wherever possible. Because there are no machines or motors on site, it is a safe and quiet place for anyone, younger or older, and interesting conversation and laughter is common and encouraged. You can read all of the details about our workshops here: cob.lasqueti.ca/workshops. But now I'd like to announce our 2015 line-up of Workshops:
Until midnight on March 31, 2016, you can enjoy any of our 6 day intensive Learn-to-Build-from-the-Ground-UP Fast Cob! workshops for only $675...that's 25% off our regular workshop rate! Please also note that women and families are especially encouraged to apply. Fast Cob! is safe and fun for all ages, genders, and orientations. Last year, our ages ranged from 9 to 68, while previous years saw 4, 6, and 8 year olds having the time of their lives. If you've been wanting to build your dream but don't want to go into debt or harm our planet any further, here's your chance to make that change! Simply go to cob.lasqueti.ca/workshops and fill in the form at the bottom. I'll be in touch soon to help you on your way... P.S. If you missed any of my previous messages about the benefits of Fast Cob! and how you can use it yourself to live the life you've always wanted, please just scroll on down... I've been honoured to show you with real numbers how it is possible to build your dream home and NOT go into debt, NOT harm the planet AND create lasting Beauty and Health in your very own home. If you missed these messages, feel free to check them out below. Now I want to talk about how I can help you achieve your dreams. Of course, if you are ready and able to just get out there and start on your own, go for it and let me know about it so I can support and help you as much as I can. But if you need some inspiration and guidance, I know I can help. I've been hosting workshops since 2007 and since 2009 have developed a hands-on intensive week of workshoping that will give you all you need to build your own dream. And if you sit tight for a bit, you'll be the first to know about this year's special offers. But first, let's talk about someone (you? A friend? Your child?) between 9 and 99. You're already dreaming of building your own healthy, affordable, gorgeous home and of living joyfully in every moment. Sound unrealistic? Well, let me share with you the words of the mother of one Apprentice who came for a month last year: "We want to thank you for all that you've done for Jackson. He came to you to learn how to build with cob and he came back with so much more than any of us anticipated. He learned about himself in a way he never could have here at home. You challenged him to examine his thoughts, beliefs, heart, and life path.
Living and Building Naturally inspires us to be who we really are, passionate people who want to be happy and find peace in our worlds. I've been given so many gifts in my life, I couldn't begin to list them, but I do want to share them. I know from growing up in our civilized world that health and happiness are not givens, that they are often difficult to achieve, even on a small scale. It simply doesn't have to be that way; in fact, for millions of years, it wasn't. We don't do anything "new" here. We simply recreate the healthy, sustainable ways that our ancestors lived before our modern world took us off that path. Sure, we take advantage of some of the fancy gadgets and what-nots, but we only choose what is best for us, after consciously thinking it through. Living on a remote island helps ensure the conscious part! I'm constantly inspired by the innate desires of younger folks. Sure some have been led down the electronic garden path, but deep inside everyone is that spark that wants to live healthy and happy. And some know that their current life is not what they want but have been frustrated so far in finding that fulfilling alternative. Fast Cob! might be that fulfilling alternative. To kick off our 2016 season of Apprenticeships, I'm both opening up applications and setting a special price for the next week only. If you, or someone you know, is interested in our Apprenticeship Programme, I urge you to act quickly, because... This year, we have openings for at most 6 people. These Apprenticeships run for 1 month, with a 2nd month available if we mutually agree to continue after the first month. During this time, you'll stay in our Guest (Prospector's) tent and live and breathe cob everyday. We'll share meals 3 times a day and mutually plan our days together to maximize your learning. Our weekly schedule consists of 5 full days of learning and sharing together, from breakfast to dinnertime. Our April/May apprenticeship will have first dibs on building a Cob Chicken Coop, from scratch to finish. In June/July, our apprentices will have the opportunity to finish the walls of a 800 sq. ft. split-level home. This includes electrical and plumbing as well as a taste of rock wall foundations. Floor joists from raw logs and tongue-n-groove wood flooring will also be installed. July/August will see the roof go on: rafters from raw logs, sheathing milled on island, natural fibre for insulation, and metal roofing will all protect this home for decades to come. Mid- August will move us into the realm of finishing: natural plasters, paints and cob floors. By the end of the month, we'll have hardened the cob floors to the point of hosting world championship tap dancing competitions, so bring your tap shoes! September will see us finishing the outside cob walls...and using a gorgeous natural plaster to cover it all. Not to mention celebrating with a housewarming party! Of course, Natural Building will be the main focus, as you absorb the way our cob buildings are designed - to work with Nature rather than against her. You'll have as many hands-on opportunities as you'll want to learn and perfect your own version of Fast Cob! And depending on your time here, you may be part of a Fast Cob! workshop, when a special and magical week bonds a small group of keen Cobbers. You'll also be immersed in our way of Natural Living, using the Sun to cook, gravity to feed our water, and our natural inclinations to have fun and enjoy whatever we choose to learn and do. Our happy hens provide crazy-delicious organic, free-range eggs, and our garden can also be abundant at times. Wild foods will also be foraged if our timing is right. Again, I'm opening up our Apprenticeship Programme for the next week. If you'd like to apply, please do so during this week so you'll have the best chance of being one of those 6 people that transform their lives into the joyful, natural state that all humans once enjoyed. If you apply this week, you'll also have access to our early bird discount. It includes all meals, snacks, accommodation and instruction/inspiration for an entire month (and a bike if you don't bring your own). To apply, simply visit cob.lasqueti.ca/apprenticeships, read through all the details, and fill in the form at the bottom. I truly hope each of us achieve our dreams...sooner than later! PS. Remember, the sooner you apply to our Apprenticeship Programme, the greater your chance of getting in and getting your preferred timeslot...there are only 6 available for 2016 and they will fill up quickly...
In my first message to you, I showed you with real numbers how it is possible to build your dream home and NOT go into debt, costing out a 400 sq ft, 1 bedroom cabin for less than $4,000, or about a few short months of rent. In my last message, I explained how building with Fast Cob! doesn't harm the planet and even helps to heal it. If you missed one or both, feel free to check them out by scrolling on down.... This time I want to get personal with you and talk about Health and Beauty. Not yours or mine, but our buildings. Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but health is either there or not. One of the things that makes Fast Cob! buildings so healthy to live in is that they breath. Air and moisture can flow through the walls, although you'd never notice or even guess that it could. This prevents mold and mildew and stale air from taking over your home and making it - and you - sick. Vapour barriers trap air and moisture, and without expensive ventilation systems, make your home sick with stale air. Until Sick Home Syndrome was "discovered", many humans got sick and didn't know why. I won't speculate about what hasn't been discovered yet, but I do know that I feel much more alive and well in my cob home than in other folk's non-natural homes. Another aspect of well-being comes from sound, or rather the lack of it when we're in our cob home. Constant background noise exhausts our nervous system, even if we unconsciously block it out. Fast Cob! buildings are well suited as sound studios because they naturally dampen sound inside and prevent most sounds outside from getting in. And there is a natural quality to being surrounded by the earth. It likely reduces our exposure to unnatural energy fields (wi-fi, radio, tv, cell, etc), but I don't know since I live in an area where these fields don't readily exist. Do add FIREPROOF to our growing list of health benefits, and note the capital letters! Being insect-proof and rodent-proof are even more health benefits. Shall we add the fact that multiple generations can live comfortably in the same home without the stress of building or even renovation? By simply keeping the roof from leaking, your cob home will serve from 4 to 14 generations of descendants of yours.  But what about Beauty? With cob, you can sculpt beauty into any surface. And the natural curves in this man's eye are simply gorgeous. There's nothing stopping you from spending the rest of your life adding reliefs and ornate decorations in every nook and cranny of your home. You won't need to work from 9-5 to pay a mortgage or rent any more, so why not? Or just let the kids carve and plaster their walls over and over again. It's perfectly safe! The possibilities are simply endless. I truly hope that you now see Natural Building and Fast Cob! in a very different light. And I hope you've become inspired to take that next step and create your own Dream Home. The planet needs you!! Really. If you've made it this far in these messages, you're clearly dreaming of building your own home. When will you take that next step and turn your dream into reality? Next year? In 10 years? Why not now! I hemmed and hawed before I finally committed to my first and only cob workshop back in 1996. It was so far (Bella Coola) to get to but my partner at the time said the workshop fee was nothing compared to what I would gain from doing it. And she was right! Instead of putting it off, get outside and start building. Anything. Just start and you'll be amazed at where it leads. I've tried hard to give you as much as I can in this message format to start you on your way. Of course, some folks will want more guidance and inspiration than these messages can offer, so I want you to also know that I host week-long intensive Workshops and month-long immersive Apprenticeships at our home on Lasqueti for deeper experiences of Natural Building and Living. Our Apprenticeship Programme has blossomed over the past two years, with younger people coming and finding the inspiration that seemed to be lacking in their lives before. It's a fun, fulfilling time for all involved, even the parents! Our Workshops are always magical weeks, when a small group (max. 6) starts to transform their dreams into a reality that will last centuries! Next time, I'll send you more information about the Apprenticeship programmes, including the words of gratitude and hope that were sent to me after these wonderful young people left with enhanced life-affirming skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. For those that prefer a week-long intensive workshop...just hang tight because I'm putting together an irresistible offer just for you! Spring is in the air here, so it's time to get out and Fast Cob! Type to you soon...
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