Natural Building and Sustainable Living Apprenticeship for Cold Weather Climates

Begins: June 28, 2010
Duration: 8 weeks
Deadline to Register: April 30, 2010
Cost: $3200 CDN

Deposit of $400 is required by registration deadline, limited to 12 participants.
FULL

Once again we are offering the Natural Building Apprenticeship Program with a few modifications. Namely, apprentices can now relax in the newly constructed student lounge and sauna, off hours, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the year one apprentices. Returning apprentices will be exposed to more advanced building techniques, while year one apprentices will concentrate on basic methods of Natural Building practice and theory. As well, the NBIO now has the largest print media Natural Building resource centre in Northern Ontario. Also new is our blacksmith shop, in which only 100% recycled materials are used. The hardware for our projects is all made on site, as well as ornamental ironwork.

For individuals who wish to further their knowledge of natural building construction. This is the first apprenticeship program offered of its kind in Canada. Within the 8 week program, participants will learn both basic and advanced natural building techniques, traditional timber frame construction, and methods specifically geared to cold weather climates - in practice and theory, and will leave with advanced knowledge of natural building. The final product will be a complete structure.

The weeks will be Mon-Fri, six hours per day, with weekends free for R&R, on a hands-on building project. Days start at 8 am with one hour of theory, 4 hours of practical building, with breaks and meals provided in between and finishing with an hour of theory, usually around the campfire. Natural Building specialists in their respective fields will be instructing as part of the curriculum. Apprentices will participate as well in daily living practices on the land such as lending a hand in the kitchen, drawing water, harvesting produce for the group meals (grown on the land - organically). Free time can be spent swimming, taking saunas, berry picking, fishing or walks in the forest. Suitable clothing and footwear for working are required (eg. workboots, gloves). Bicycles are available at the institute.

The Natural Building Institute of Ontario is situated on 5 acres of mixed forest and farmland, located on Manitoulin Island. The institute itself is a 140 year old former one room school house – with a natural spring water source. No hydro electricity or phone lines connect us to the outside world. Our food is also locally grown or sourced, however simplicity, a mutual respect for each other and respect for the land is our connection. We try to use a less impactive approach, not only because of its practicality but because its sensibility.

Apprentices are encouraged to stay with the project after the duration – at no extra cost, to further their knowledge of Natural Building.

Curriculum

Week 1 – Layout and Design
- erection of timberframe structure
- site prep, layout and building design
- building a compost toilet, humanure practice and theory
- stone foundation building practice and theory for cold climate construction
- material identification and testing for use in Natural Building construction
- pile management
- building a basic water filtration (rainwater collected) system for under $15
- construction of a functioning Ram pump

Week 2 - Materials
- grey water management
- basic hand and foot mixing of natural materials (earth and straw)
- wattle & daub construction, theory and practice
- using hemp and lime as a building material
- basic wall construction
- cordwall construction theory (ie. Wood selection, including moisture content, weatherability, potential pest invaders, proper harvest and forest management techniques)
- cordwall practice – harvesting and selecting logs (accredited chainsaw safety and handling course)
- wiring and plumbing techniques in natural building construction
- window and door installation, including lintel spans

Week 3 - Soil Dynamics
- practice and theory of stabilized soil building techniques
- rammed earth construction
- adobe block making, theory and practice
- mix designs for mortared cordwall masonry construction
- identifying and using straw in building practice

Week 4 – Woodlot Management
- woodlot management
- proper harvest and management of lumber for roundpole roof construction
- roundpole roof construction and design, specifically for high snow load areas
- natural and modified earth mortars and plasters, and their applications

Week 5 – Natural Power
- solar hot water systems
- solar electric systemic theory
- solar oven construction
- R-Value theory for natural materials
- passive solar energy practice and theory
- wind power benefits and detriments

Week 6 – Wood Energy Technology
- certified woodstove installation practice and theory
- building a thermal sink for maximizing heat output

Week 7 – Structure Completion
- practical building continues

Week 8 – Overall Review and Personal Projects

Instructors’ Profiles

Mike Schwendenner – “Energy from the Sun and Wind”
Currently a physics professor at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, Mike will be teaching the course “Natural Power – Energy from the Elements” as well as examining electrical, mechanical and thermal elemental power, respectively.

Daniel Blair – “Alternative Energy Systems”
Daniel is a professional in the field of wood energy technology transfer (W.E.T.T. – Ontario’s certification standards organization for wood energy), and will present proper installation, maintenance and inspection of a wood stove including its chimney, the legal ramifications involved in doing so, and the topic of wood energy efficiency.

Bruce Moggy – “Woodlot Management”
Father of nine, wood cutter and farmer, Bruce will be lecturing on woodlot management, harvesting, wood storage and selection of the types of woods used for building construction, as well as discussing pastureland sustainability for organic food production, composting and manurering techniques.

Kate Turner – English cook Kate Turner in addition to teaching the 'Health and Nutrition' aspect of the course will also be catering on site for the duration turning local, seasonal vegetables into some tasty meals.

James Turner – James Turner is a food blogger and cook who is looking forward to convincing people that traditional english cooking is better than they may have heard.

Witlau Muller – “Chainsaw Handling” (a certification course)
Witlau is a certified chainsaw instructor of the Norway Forestry Institute, and will be instructing on safe handling and proper use of a chainsaw, how to sharpen a chainsaw, axe, and basic cutting techniques to maximize woodlot output, chainsaw maintenance and the wonderful world of sawdust. This course is a must for cordwall builders, timberframers and roundpole roof framers.

Aldo John Bardeggia - "Basic Blacksmithing" Carrying on the family tradition started by his Grandfather, Aldo John will teach the fundamentals of building a forge (from scrap metal - and found items), selecting a suitable fuel source and creating your own basic blacksmith tools and hardware accessories (hinges & latches) required for the Natural Building project.

Patrick Conner - "Timberframe Building" Patrick brings with him a passionate mix of wood working skills and experience. Inspired by the history of his Swedish heritage, he sees his future in reproducing ancient Viking boats. He worked in Lunnenburg Nova Scotia as a boat builder, created custom furniture in Chelsea Quebec, conducted research in Norway on traditional woodworking and boat building and worked on set construction in Montreal. Most recently, he has used his woodworking knowledge as a timberframer and is a member of the Timberframer's guild. He has just finished making his own home from design to finish, a work of art and warmth of timberframe construction and surrounded by walls and roof of hemp and lime.

Dr. Gino Cacciotti, E. Arch., M.M.
Gino will be leading the practical and technical applications of the course proper, as well as handling administrative duties. Sidebar lectures such as “Grey Water Glass-Pack Filters”, “How to
Build a Cob Oven” hands on workshop, and (in the Natural Building community) the now famous “Pile Management / Kimchi Making” one-day workshop.

What to bring
Bring notebooks, pens, pencils etc., a natural building apprenticeship handbook is provided, clothing and footwear suitable for natural building, swimming gear and personal effects. Nights can be cool. Days are usually warm (mid 20º Celcius). There is cell phone reception, limited electricity. Free Internet service is available at the library, about 5km down the road. If you wish to camp, sites are provided free of charge, however you must bring your own tent; the terrain is high, dry with shelter. For those who prefer alternate lodging, for more information please visit http://www.manitoulintourism.com/ .

How to get there

By Land
Take the Trans Canada highway (Hwy 17) east from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at the Soo Michigan US Border, or west from North Bay, Ontario until you reach the Hwy 6 turn off to Espanola. Continue on Hwy 6, and cross the Manitoulin Island swing bridge (about 45 min). Once on the island, stay on Hwy 6 all the way to Bidwell Rd. will be visible (about 35 minutes) – if you reach the town of Manitowaning you’ve gone too far. The Natural Building Institute is located at the corner of Bidwell Rd. and Springerbrook Rd.

By Ferry (Chi Chi Man Ferry)
From Southern or Southwestern Ontario, you will take Hwy 6 to Tobermorry on the tip of the Bruce peninsula, and get on the Chi Chi Man ferry – headed for Manitoulin Island (about $15 per person, and $30 per vehicle). It’s a 2 hour ferry ride to the island. Once landed, take Hwy 6 to the Bidwell Rd. (about 15 minutes) – signage will be visible. The Natural Building Institute is located at the corner of Bidwell Rd. and Springerbrook Rd.

By Air
The Manitoulin East Airport is 15 minutes by car from the Natural Building Institute. Rides are available from the airport to the institute. The Natural Building Institute is located at the corner of Bidwell Rd. and Springerbrook Rd.

Questions or Comments
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Gino Cacciotti

Please make cheques payable to: Gino Cacciotti
Mailing address:
386 Bidwell Road, RR #1
Manitowaning, Ontario
P0P 1N0