Natural Building
Everywhere

Natural building

Ecobilda is making the link between those who are building natural homes or forest and gardens, and those who are willing to travel and learn. Natural building is by far the most sustainable way to build homes and we believe it will be tomorrow's main way to go about construction.

But what is natural building?

Natural building is mostly defined by the materials involved such as wood, earth, clay, straw, hemp, stone, etc. Raw materials, hardly manufactured, usually found locally, make for an ecological house when it comes to energy consumption, but also make for an incredibly healthy living environment due to its non-toxic, air cleaning, humidity and temperatures managing properties. Natural materials also have a natural warmth that makes those homes really comfortable, not to say nestlike. There are so many advantages to natural building and so few inconvenients. In fact, all of nature's dwellers are building naturally, it's been a winner for billions of years already! One of the major (if not only) inconvenient, is that it is oftentimes really labour intensive. But most natural builders have turned this into an advantage: we get the whole community involved, and we have a blast at building together, mud covering our smiles and laughters.

Permaculture

Permaculture is the practice of observing nature to work cooperatively with it in order to get as big a yield while not intervening as much as possible, but really letting nature do its work. Understanding how nature works is the key, hence the need to observe and study. Applying this knowledge is the way.
In permaculture, everything first thought of as an inconvenience is turned into a strength, an opportunity to turn the system more efficient, to obtain better or more yield. More than a science, it's a lifestyle.
We consider permaculture hand in hand with natural building, as most people interested in one are very likely already or soon enough interested in the other. This is why Ecobilda is promoting them both almost as one same practice.

Cultural exchange

Like we said, these practices, natural building especially, are labour intensive. And it's a treat, because it gives us a good reason to get together. Indeed, the human connection is the cornerstone of all natural building and permaculture practices. Working together, meeting each other, is clearly making this process most enjoyable. It creates links and most of the time leads to great friendships.

Learning opportunities

You travel, you meet like minded people, and last but not least, you learn. About their culture, which is sometimes more valuable than practical knowledge. But you will also learn natural building and permaculture techniques, gain experience and knowledge via hands on practice. There is no best way to learn than by doing. Learning while helping others realize their dream, whether it is to build a strawbale or cob house or design their permatulcural garden or orchard is truly a nice way to go!