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.......next Apprenticeship Courses in Spring 2009...... |
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we live on earth
yet so ignorant of earth
and all the treasures it holds
- Rumi |
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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 hands-on Apprenticeship
Course at Cal-Earth Institute in California.
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." |
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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 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. |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
"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.
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.
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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 |
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2009 DATES and Program Information:
Spring Schedule
March 26 - 28 Three-day intensive
April 27 - May 1st One week intensive
May 21 - 26 One week intensive
June 8 - 13 One week intensive
July 8 - 10 Three-day intensive
Tentative Fall Schedule
September 10 - 12 Three-day workshop
September 21 - 26 One week intensive
October 12 - 17 One week intensive
October 22 - 24 Three-day workshop
November 9 - 14 One week intensive
December 2 - 4 Three-day workshop
Extended workshop - Two days a week for four 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.
Extended workshops and long-term apprenticeships are offered upon evaluation with Cal-Earth's directors at the completion of an intensive workshop.
Please include an extra paragraph in your essay indicating why you are interested in extended study.
Application for Admission
1) Fill out and send your application form
(download PDF here).
2) Send it along with a one to two-page essay to Cal-Earth describing your background, interests,
visions, goals, and your chosen program. If you require a scholarship, please explain your situation.
3) Enclose $200 deposit (a check to Cal-Earth or visa/mastercard), along with your essay. You will be sent the first DVD and book to start studying.
4) Once we review your application we will call you for an interview.
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 camping accomodation, when available.
Checks, money orders, Visa/Mastercard or direct transfers are accepted.
Tuition costs per person:
Three-day intensive workshop - $1,100
One week intensive - $1,600 (For couples and groups
a discount of 20% applies for the 2nd person onwards.)
Extended workshop - $1,700
Long term apprenticeship - $2,500 - $5,000
A limited number of scholarship places are available.
A set of educational DVDs and books is included.
Note: For special/group workshops or four or more persons, out of schedule three-day intensives
please call Cal-Earth on (760) 244-0614.
Contact:
email:calearth@aol.com
tel: (760)244-0614 fax: (760) 244-2201
mailing address: P.O. Box 1977 Claremont, CA 91711-8977
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
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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:
Cal-Earth camping accommodation: (760) 244-0614
Participants are welcome to stay on the Cal-Earth site.
Arrangements should be made ahead of time.
Simple self-catering accomodation at the
Cal-Earth site,
sharing space or camping only.
Walking distance to supermarket.
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.
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Arrive at Cal-Earth Institute Site:
10177 Baldy Lane
Hesperia CA 92345 Tel: (760) 956-7533
Send your Mail to this Address: P.O. Box 1977
Claremont, CA 91711-8977
Tel: (760) 244-0614
Fax: (760) 244-2201
email: calearth@aol.com
website: www.calearth.org
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