Village Building Convergence 2012

Project Coordinators: Kim Smith and Josh Liebschutz | Volunteer Coordinator: Evan Chisholm | Sylvania Campus

Volunteer and Workshop Schedule

Cob, straw clay, and cord wood building will take place each day, including construction, sculpture, and art.  Delicious and healthy lunches and snacks will be available daily for all volunteers!

Location:
Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave., Portland, OR 97219
Directions, bus routes and campus map
Parking:
Park in P-14. Parking passes are required.

Friday, May 25

VBC Kick-off!
10am to 5pm

Learn how to design and help build a sturdy foundation for light straw clay & cordwood walls using primarily salvaged and natural materials such as stone, wood & urbanite.

Saturday, May 26

Volunteers:
9am to 5pm, Foundation Building, Cob Mixing & Cordwood Prep
Workshop: Natural Building Fundamentals
10am to 12 noon

Introduction to general design and detailing principles for building small structures using natural materials; using the worm villa as a case study. Foundations, wall systems, roof details and plastering options will be briefly discussed by natural builder Casey Slezak, then put into practice as the construction commences.

Sunday, May 27

Volunteers:
10am to 5pm, Stacking Cordwood Walls, Mixing Cob
Workshop: Wine Bottle Windows
1pm to 3pm

Ever wonder how wine bottles can be cut, fused, and incorporated into buildings?  Here’s your chance to learn how!  Kim Smith will teach participants how to cut bottles and create foot-long bottle tubes for bringing in light and an artistic touch to the worm villa.  Sorry that the wine is not included, but feel free to bring empty bottles.

Monday, May 28

Campus closed for Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 29

Volunteers:
9am to 5pm, Stacking Cordwood Walls, Mixing Cob, Light Straw Clay Prep
Workshop: Water Catchment System Designs
10am to 12 noon

Whether you are thinking about rain barrels or large-scale cisterns, Jason Garvey, with Portland Purple Water, will share best practices and describe how he designed the worm bin roof and 2,500 gallon water collection system for PCC’s Learning Garden.

Wednesday, May 30

Volunteers:
9am to 5pm, Stacking Cordwood Walls & Build Light Straw Clay Wall

Thursday, May 31

Volunteers:
9am to 5pm, Stacking Cordwood Walls & Build Light Straw Clay Wall
Workshop: noon How to Build a Worm Bin with Josh Liebschutz
10:30am to 12 noon

Learn basic concepts and techniques for indoor and/or outdoor vermiculture.  Learn how to create an ecosystem for your red worms by understanding their dietary needs, their environmental preferences, and their reproductive habits.  View several functioning vermiculture bins and speak with an experienced vermiculturalist about choosing the best vermiculture system for your situation.

Friday, June 1

Volunteers:
9am to 5pm, Finish Wall Building & Add Sculptural Details

Saturday, June 2

Volunteers:
9am to 5pm, Finish Wall Building & Add Sculptural Cob Elements

Sunday, June 3

Volunteers:
12 noon to 3pm, VBC Celebration and Feast!