The Active Site: Natural Building
with Lola Byron
Step onto a live building site and gain the skills needed to create a natural home. Rather than starting in a classroom, you will jump straight into the construction of a house already in progress. This 4-day immersion offers a unique "insider's view" of the structural bones of a building, surrounded by the cork forests of Southern Portugal. Guided by Lola Byron, you’ll learn how theory translates into real-world solutions as we advance this beautiful project together..
Why Natural Building?
Building with the earth is a return to a way of living that respects the landscape, our health, and our future.
Healthy & Breathable Natural walls are vapor-permeable. They "breathe," naturally regulating humidity and filtering the air for a toxic-free, peaceful living environment.
Thermal Comfort By combining thermal mass (clay) with insulation (straw), these buildings stay cool in the Portuguese summer and hold warmth in the winter.
Low Impact We use materials sourced directly from the land—clay, sand, and timber—resulting in a nearly zero-carbon footprint and a house that can return to the earth.
Empowering Natural building is accessible. It is a collaborative process that invites everyone—regardless of age or experience—to put their hands in the mud and create.
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This workshop is for anyone ready to get their hands dirty and demystify the process of building a natural home. Whether you are a total beginner or a budding builder, Lola’s resourceful and supportive teaching ensures you’ll gain practical knowledge at your own pace. We embrace a diversity of age, gender, and ability; on an active site, every role is vital, and every participant leaves with the confidence to continue their own building journey.
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Expect a fast-paced, practical experience where you learn by doing. You will learn the art and techniques of natural building as we put our hands together to work on an existing house in the community, learning to handle raw materials and understand structural design through experimentation.
Hands-on Action: Work directly on the round timber house from day one.
Theory in Context: Discussions happen on-site as challenges arise, supplemented by evening slideshows and films.
Resources: Gain full access to our extensive digital library to support your learning long after the workshop ends.
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❖ Test clay sub-soils and use the results to create the perfect earth mix
❖ Learn about ecological house design and application
❖ Learn about ecological foundation systems
❖ Make adobe bricks and learn how to build with them
❖ Mix and work with cob in different forms
❖ Mix and apply slip straw
❖ Learn how to safely use and work with power tools
❖ Learn about basic woodwork and carpentry
There will be some theory sessions about:
❖ Ecological House Design – how to design energy efficient homes in connection with your climate
❖ Natural Building Theory – How it all works and why
❖ Building techniques across the globe – what techniques are being used, where and why?
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
385€ with your own caravan or tent
430€ 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).