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 alternatives. 		we live on earth
yet so ignorant of earth
and all the treasures it holds
- Rumi
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. Over the last twenty-five years architect Nader Khalili has been researching 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. With Nader Khalili as their mentor, assisted by English architect Iliona Outram and other associates, 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. "Every man and woman is a doctor and a builder, to heal and shelter themselves."
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 primarily hands-on, with design theory and principles taught in conjunction with 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 with Nader Khalili. 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, becoming a Journeyman apprentice.

    		•
    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.
    2008 DATES and Program Information:

    Spring Schedule

    April 17 - 19 Three days intensive
    May 5 - 9 One week intensive
    June 14 - 19 One week 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 with Nader Khalili.

    Application for Admission

    1) Please send one written page to Nader Khalili describing your background, interests, visions, and your chosen program.
    2) Enclose $100 deposit with your written page (a check to Cal-Earth or visa/mastercard).
    3) Fill out and send your application form (download PDF here).
    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, and is refunded if you are not accepted.
    Tuition includes materials, 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 - $950
    One week intensive - $1,500
    Extended workshop - $1,500
    Long term apprenticeship - $2,500 - $5,000

    Note: For couples and groups, a discount of 25% applies for second person.
    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
    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.
    10 mins. drive from Cal-Earth.
    14173 Green Tree Boulevard, Victorville.

    Super 8 Motel: (760)949-3231
    Clean and unpretentious local motel.
    Walking distance to restaurants.
    5 mins. drive from Cal-Earth.

    Thrifty Motel: (760) 244-4119
    Walking distance to Cal-Earth
    14320 Main Street, Hesperia.

    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.



    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.

    Go To 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

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