The Active Site: Growing the Learning Center
with Lola Byron
The journey continues. Following our start in July, we return to the land for a 6-day immersion focused on raising the walls of the Natural Building Learning Center. This project is a "living textbook"—a structure where every wall showcases a different earth-building technique, from cob to cordwood.
A 6-day workshop offers the time to truly settle into the work. It allows us to move beyond the "how-to" and develop the muscle memory and rhythm required to see a natural building project through.
The Work: Adding to the Story
This workshop is about progression. You will step into a site that is already alive and contribute to the layers that make a house a home.
Comparative Learning: Because each section of the house uses a different method, you’ll get hands-on experience with a variety of materials. You can feel for yourself the difference between working with Cob, Adobe, or Light-Earth Straw, and see how they dry and settle side-by-side.
The Timber-Earth Connection: One of the most vital skills in natural building is understanding how the "bones" meet the "flesh." We will focus on how to securely integrate earthen infills with a timber frame, ensuring the structure is airtight and durable.
Deepening Soil Literacy: With extra time on our side, we can go deeper into soil analysis. We’ll learn how to read the clay and sand under our feet and adapt our mixes to the specific needs of each technique we are using.
A Roadmap of the Build: While the project is a work in progress, we spend time looking ahead. We’ll discuss the stages that follow—preparing for future natural plasters, managing drainage, and understanding the long-term maintenance of an earthen home.
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This longer format is for those who want to get "under the skin" of a building project. It is perfect for anyone planning their own build who wants to test different methods before committing to one.
Under the guidance of Lola Byron, we maintain a supportive, collaborative environment. Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced builder, the "Active Site" is a place where every hand contributes and every participant leaves with the grounded confidence to keep building.
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Advanced Soil Testing: Understanding the chemistry of the mix and how to adjust for different wall types.
Wall Construction: Intensive hands-on time with multiple infill techniques.
Timber Integration: Methods for attaching earth to wood and ensuring structural longevity.
Building Site Flow: How to organize materials and team movement for a steady, efficient build.
Ecological Design Theory: Sessions on passive solar principles and choosing the right technique for your specific climate.
About Lola — Course Facilitator
Lola Byron is a Permaculture and Natural Building facilitator, practitioner and consultant. After travelling the globe with her young family, connecting with Permaculture projects, she now lives, works, teaches, builds and raises her 2 children in Southern Portugal. Originally from Birmingham, England, she has been a thriving Permaculturist and natural builder since completing her PDC back in 2010. Following this, she was an active urban Permaculturist, designing and implementing various community gardens and co-facilitating natural building and gardening workshops in and around the UK. With a background in studying, then teaching, Fine Art, Sculpture, when she discovered Permaculture and Natural Building, she knew she had found her calling in life. Lola recently founded The Women Natural Building Collective, a safe and empowering learning space and network for women builders worldwide. She has built and taught internationally, spent 3 years as the Natural Building Manager at Panya Project, Thailand, and has been a consultant and project manager with Surplus Permaculture Design since 2017.
Location & Stay
A Quinta da Lage is a working off-grid permaculture farm in Southern Portugal, featuring wild forests and freshwater springs.
Included in the fee:
● 3 wholesome vegetarian meals/day (Vegan/GF available with prior notice).
● All tools, materials, and a custom WNBC course handout
● Stays in your own campervan/tent is included in the price
Prices
620€ with your own caravan or tent
695€ with accommodation in dormitory
We have private cottages, rooms and bell tents available, if you prefer this option please contact us to inquire about availability and pricing.
Your course fee supports both our facilitators and the ongoing regenerative projects at A Quinta.
How to Book:
Click "Book Now" to fill out our registration form.
After submitting, you will be redirected to Stripe to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
The remaining balance is due upon arrival (Cash or Bank Transfer).