Workshops integrate classroom and hands-on learning, tours and guest speakers into a lively multi-day format. Current workshops include:

• Straw Bale Design and Construction *
• Natural Building Technologies *
• Natural Plasters *
• High Performance Straw Bale Schools – Half day workshop for school communities introducing straw bale construction, case studies of straw bale schools, and an overview of the concepts of architecture as pedagogy.

If you are interested in a custom workshop for your organization or a workshop at your location, please contact us for more information.

* These workshops are regularly taught through Solar Energy International in Paonia, CO and the Sustainable Practices Series through the Department of Continuing Education and Professional Studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO and through other organizations and events. Please check their listings for descriptions and dates.

Comments from past workshop participants:

"Laura Bartels has a rare combination of knowledge and working experience, talent, passion and compassion in her teaching that informs the mind, warms the heart and inspires those around her."
-Steve Walker, workshop participant

“It’s difficult to find words to express my reaction to your workshop……It was a more complete educational experience than I hoped for and greatly improved my clarity about what I want and need to do about building. Do I need to build? How much building do I need? These were questions that I had hardly considered !! Now they are central to my thoughts and plans." The tone you set and the high expectations for the quality of our interactions was at least as inspiring as the amazing volume of information you presented. You have a gift, you have cultivated it well, thank you for sharing it with the world.”
-Hardy Stegall, workshop participant