Natural Building Workshop
with Lola Byron
Begin the year with a hands-on workshop in ecological house building! This is an immersive, practical experience where you learn by doing — and because it’s a workshop rather than a full course, and A Quinta is offering free accommodation, we’re able to offer it at a very special price of only Euro 330! Join us as we deepen your understanding of natural building techniques while working together to finish our beautiful Slip Straw Sauna.
We’re delighted to invite you on this inspiring, six-day immersive workshop into the world of natural building — set among rolling hills and cork oak trees on a stunning 130-hectare farm in southern Portugal, home to a flourishing community of people passionate about sustainable living.
What is Natural Building?
Natural building is so much more than just building with natural materials; it is about reconnecting with our ancestral roots and understanding our natural environment. It’s about building beautiful, durable, healthy, functional and spiritually uplifting buildings as well as building relationships with people and the planet along the way. It’s about observing, consciously designing and respecting the world around us, using local, renewable and sustainable materials to create buildings that work in harmony with the inhabitants needs and the environment it will live in.
Building a structure with natural materials is an empowering, humbling and inspiring experience. We will connect with the earth, with ourselves, with each other and with these ancient building techniques which are silently ingrained in all of us; together we tap into this forgotten knowledge and bring to life the knowledge and skills to build your own home.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop welcomes everyone — whether you have some previous experience in natural building or are completely new. Under Lola’s guidance, all participants will be supported in learning and practicing hands-on techniques, though prior experience can be helpful. It’s ideal for those who wish to:
❖ Deepen their practical skills and confidence
❖ Learn advanced techniques hands-on
❖ Contribute to the completion of a Slip Straw Sauna
❖ Experience collaborative work in a natural, heartfelt setting
What will I learn during this workshop?
During our six days together, we’ll connect with the raw materials from the very beginning — getting our hands and feet into the earth, learning through doing, experimenting, and creating. Throughout each day, theory will be gently woven into the practice, giving you the context and understanding needed before putting it all into action.
In the evenings, we’ll take time to relax, share, and connect as a group — watching inspiring films, exchanging experiences, and deepening our sense of community. You’ll also have access to our extensive digital library for further exploration and inspiration.
You will learn how to:
❖ Test clay sub-soils
❖ Learn about ecological house design and application
❖ Learn about reciprocal roofs
❖ Learn how to safely use basic power tools
❖ Build the layers of a living roof
❖ Make and apply plaster for the walls
❖ Learn how a rocket stove works
❖ Put down the initial layers of an earth floor
About Lola — workshop facilitator
Lola Byron is a Permaculturist and Natural Building facilitator, practitioner, and consultant with over a decade of experience in this field. Originally from Birmingham, England, Lola has spent many years building in Southeast Asia and currently lives in Southern Portugal, where she teaches, builds, and raises her two children.
Lola's journey in Permaculture began in 2010 after completing her Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC). Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for sustainable living, working as both an urban Permaculturist and eco-builder.
With a degree in Fine Art, Sculpture and a post graduate degree in teaching, Lola discovered her true passion in Natural Building, blending her artistic and practical talents to create ecological buildings and strengthen community resilience. Driven by a deep commitment to making a positive impact, she strives to create a more sustainable future through thoughtful and intentional design, grounded in a deep understanding of the landscape and the needs of the environment.
In 2021, Lola founded the Women Natural Building Collective, a global network and empowering learning space for women in the natural building field. Over the past 12 years, Lola has built and taught internationally, including a role as the Natural Building Manager at the Panya Project in Thailand for three years. She has also served as a consultant and project manager with Surplus Permaculture Design since 2017, leading innovative and impactful sustainable projects worldwide.
Location & Logistics
A Quinta da Lage is a working permaculture off-grid farm just outside São Luís, with beautiful landscapes, freshwater springs, wild forest, and peaceful camping areas.
Included in the fee:
● Accommodation in dorms or own camper van,
● 3 simple vegetarian meals/day. We can accommodate for gluten free or other requirements with prior notice,
● All tools, materials & tuition,
Private rooms/cottages available on request (extra fee).
Prices
€ 330 with accommodation in dorms or space for your camper van
We have private cottages and rooms available, if you prefer this option please contact us to inquire about availability and pricing.
This hands-on workshop comes at a special price and includes shared accommodation (or space for your camper van), all meals, tuition, and materials. A Quinta is offering the accommodation completely free of charge to support this workshop and make it accessible for those who feel called to join.
Your contribution is shared between the facilitators and A Quinta. This helps us continue developing the regenerative systems on the land, support our small team, and purchase materials needed for the build. It also allows the facilitators to keep teaching and sharing their craft with heart.
Not Included: Transfers to or from São Luís, or any other destination.
Contact: Please feel free to email us on events@aquinta.org for any additional information you may need.
Payment: We kindly request a non-refundable deposit of €210 from all registrants to confirm their spot. After completing the form, you will be directed to the payment page. The remaining fees can be settled in cash upon arrival or transferred to A Quinta's bank account on the first day of the course.
Please Note: In the unlikely event of us canceling the course, your deposit will be refunded in full; additionally, we will however not be held responsible for any other financial losses.
Deposits are non-refundable if you choose to cancel. If cancellation is made less 7 days prior to the course starting date, we ask for a contribution of 75% of the course fee to cover our losses. We will accept late bookings if there is space available.