.......next Apprenticeship Courses in Fall 2008......
we live on earth
yet so ignorant of earth
and all the treasures it holds
- Rumi
If you have a vision for building your home, a community, or even helping others to build theirs, or if you're ready to start construction, stop, and consider the two following alternatives:

  • The hands-on Apprenticeship Course at Cal-Earth Institute in California.
  • The Distance Learning Course at your home location via internet and other media.

    Give us a few days of your time and we will empower you to begin the process of realizing your dream. We will teach you hands-on how to build your home, your school, your career or your entire community, without being forced to cut a single tree; by using the earth under your feet and utilizing the elements of sun, wind, water and fire.
    These technologies to construct a natural architecture haven't been developed from clever designs and speculation, but from bridging traditional technology by meditation, commitment, and distilling, into future planning. For over thirty years architect Nader Khalili researched Earth Architecture with his associates and apprentices to bring building back into people's hands. Now for the 1.2 billion people in the world living with no safe shelter and no hope of ever affording one, new hope has begun to arrive.

    If you have reached a turning point in your life and have the courage to invest in yourself, take the chance to embark on a long term or short apprenticeship retreat. Learning in these architectures will fill you with inspiration and direction to return with new skills to your home, city or country, and to be able to serve humanity by example.

  • "Anybody in this world
    should be able
    to build a shelter
    for his or her family
    with the simplest
    of elements......
    earth, water, air, and fire."
    What is the Cal-Earth Apprenticeship Program? These are hands-on retreats for people who want to learn to build their own home or participate in building a community from earth and the elements. It gives the chance to focus totally on learning the unique self-help Earth (Superadobe) and/or Ceramic Architecture techniques developed at Cal-Earth as well as traditional earth building techniques, in the serene and instructive setting of the Cal-Earth prototypes. Mentored by the works and words of Nader Khalili, and taught by Iliona Outram Khalili and Cal-Earth's associates and teachers, the holistic learning methods during the intensive retreat continuously convey techniques and concepts to the apprentice, through all five senses at once. Four thousand years of earth architecture and ceramics, Geltaftan and Superadobe technologies, rammed earth, adobe, and straw bale are transformed within the student in a brief period into the designs of the future. An apprentice becomes part of the Cal-Earth network.
    What are the subjects taught? Since each apprentice has a different background, individual needs will be addressed. The following can give you a general idea. Teaching methods are in the tradition of Nader Khalili with philosophy, design theory and principles taught through the expression of the hands-on experience.

    A) and B) Programs: The Essence

  • "Why am I here and what will I learn?
  • How can I create a home, a community and vision with earth?"
      Introduction: From traditional earth architecture to the evolution of Ceramic housing, and Superadobe technology. Principle of the Arch. Hands-on arches with Superadobe and/or dry-pack brick.

  • A) and B) Earth Architecture Principles
  • "How can I realize my vision straight from the land I own or want to own?"
  • "How do I build with the natural elements on the land?"
      Timeless Principles of design. Designing with Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Combining walls, arches, domes, vaults, and their relationship to the natural elements of sun and wind, passive cooling and heating
      Learning through theory and hands-on.
  • A) Superadobe

  • "How can I turn a single arch principle into a house and whole community?"
      Learning building techniques hands-on with full scale Superadobe for walls, landscaping, and emergency shelter small domes. Superadobe foundations. Compass design and use.
  • A) Superadobe
  • "How can I afford to build everything I need?"
      The material of earth, the spirit of earth, superadobe (bags and barbed wire). Testing, structural design.
      Superadobe domes and vaults. Corbelling and connecting techniques.
  • B) Masonry and Ceramics
  • "How can I turn a single arch principle into a house and whole community?"
      Small scale building techniques, full scale adobe and brick techniques for ceramic domes (Rumi Domes) and vaults (leaning arches).
      Foundations for Adobe/Brick. Geltaftan designs -firing and glazing structures, prefabricated ceramics.
  • B) Masonry and Ceramics
  • "How can I afford to build everything I need? The Material of Earth, the Spirit of clay, adobe, ceramics. Testing, structure, design.
      Hands-on masonry for ceramic firing. Modelbuilding.
  • A) Superadobe Finishes
  • "Am I ready to leave here and start building or working on a project?"
      You will learn the principles and hands-on techniques, and can later continue to gain experience by starting a small project on your own or by participating in a larger project by other apprentices or at Cal-Earth. Finishes and Details. Subjects covered: Plasters and Rep-Tile finish, waterproofing, non-toxic natural paints. Floors, doors, windows.
  • Networking with others, and becoming a Journeyman apprentice, via the CalEarthForum.


  • Career Options: Apprentices may make a career from what they have learned, including setting up their own business, licensing the technology as a contactor and building for others, and working internationally.

     

     

    Learn more about the books, DVDs, and plans and other aids to Distance Learning

    2008 DATES and Program Information:

    Fall Schedule

    September 15 - 20 One week intensive

    October 9 - 15 One week intensive
    (Thurs.- Sat.- Sunday break - Mon.- Wed.)

    November 13 - 15 3-day intensive

    For special/group workshops please call Cal-Earth on (760) 244-0614

    Extended workshop - 2 days a week for 4 weeks minimum on Thursdays and Fridays except during August and major holidays. Please arrange dates with Cal-Earth.

    Long-term apprenticeships: Please send your proposed program and schedule and call to interview.

    Application for Admission

    1) Fill out and send your application form (download PDF here).
    2) Send it along with one written page to Cal-Earth describing your background, interests, visions, and your chosen program.
    3) Enclose $200 deposit (a check to Cal-Earth or visa/mastercard), along with your written page. You will be sent the first DVD and book to start studying.
    4) Call to interview on (760) 244-0614.
    5) Send the balance of your tuition at least two weeks before the start of the program.

  • The deposit is deducted from the tuition costs. If you are not accepted, the deposit is refunded, after your book/DVD are deducted.
    Your deposit may also be applied to another course that same year if you notify Cal-Earth at least three weeks before the start of a course.
  • Tuition includes learning materials, books and DVDs, some meals, and optional Cal-Earth camping accomodation, when available.
  • Checks, money orders, Visa/Mastercard or direct transfers are accepted.

    Tuition costs per person: 3-day intensive workshop - $1200
    One week intensive - $1,700
    Extended workshop - $1,700
    Long term apprenticeship - $2,500 - $5,000
    A set of educational DVDs and books is included.

    Note: For couples and groups, a discount of 20% applies for the 2nd person onwards.
    Tuition for special out of schedule 3-day intensives, offered for groups of three more persons: $1,200 per person.

    Contact: email: calearth@aol.com
    tel: (760)244-0614     fax: (760) 244-2201
    mailing address: 10376 Shangri La Avenue, Hesperia CA 92345

    Extra Time
    In certain cases the apprenticeship programs may be extended to finish hands-on projects or continue into a long-term internship program where the apprentice is involved with a specific Cal-Earth research and prototype project.

  • "first plant your seed
    then rely on the almighty"
    - Rumi

    Directions
    from Los Angeles take 10E or 210E to HWY 15N (dir. Barstow/Las Vegas), Hesperia MAIN ST EXIT Right, follow the Cal-Earth/Hesperia City Signs.
    DRIVE one mile, Topaz Live Oak Left, Baldy Lane Right at Cal-Earth sign.

    Closest airport Ontario, CA
    1hr. drive, airport shuttle, or bus to Victorville.

    Accommodations

    Please call the following numbers for reservations:

  • The Holiday Inn Express: (760)244-7674
    Exit I-15 at Main St. Hesperia, left over the bridge.
    12750 Main Street, Hesperia
    5 mins. drive from Cal-Earth.
  • The Green Tree Inn: (760)245-3461
    Restaurant, 24 hr.cafe, pool.
    14173 Green Tree Boulevard, Victorville.
    10 mins. drive from Cal-Earth.
  • La Quinta Inland Suites: (760)949-9900
    Clean, pleasant local motel.
    Walking distance to restaurants.
    12000 Mariposa Rd., Hesperia.
    5 mins. drive from Cal-Earth.
  • Hesperia Lake Park Camping: (760)244-5951
    RV and barbecue facilities, fishing in lake.
    20 mins. drive from Cal-Earth.
  • Cal-Earth camping accommodation: (760) 244-0614
    If available this must be arranged ahead of time.
    Simple self-catering accomodation
    at the Cal-Earth site, sharing space or camping only.
    Walking distance to supermarket.
  • Arrive at Cal-Earth Institute Site:

    10177 Baldy Lane
    Hesperia CA 92345

    Tel: (760) 956-7533

    Send your Mail to this Address:

    10376 Shangri La Avenue
    Hesperia CA 92345

    Tel: (760) 244-0614
    Fax: (760) 244-2201
    email: calearth@aol.com
    website: www.calearth.org