Tamaqua Sustainability Project

​In collaboration with the Lehigh Valley Natural Builders Guild
​​Bottle Brick Workshop
October 31 - November 1, 2020

WORKSHOP HAS SOLD OUT
If you would like to be added to our waiting list, please contact us at info@stonehedge.us

About the project:

The Tamaqua Sustainability Project (TSP) is an emerging experimental and ecological architecture hub located on 18 acres of mountainous terrain in Tamaqua, PA. The TSP crew has spent the past year building the first structure in the community, Bill’s Burrow, an off-grid, Earthship-inspired house that is nestled into the side of the mountain.

This self-sufficient building is integrated within the ecosystem of the site, and is designed to maintain a comfortable climate for its inhabitants in all seasons without energy from the grid. An integrated, south-facing greenhouse will allow for passive heating and provide healthy food year-round, while the surrounding earth will serve as a dense thermal mass to store solar energy during the day and release it at night. Recycled and reclaimed building materials are being creatively used wherever possible, including salvaged tires as foundational elements and glass bottles as masonry.

Workshop​

• In collaboration with the Lehigh Valley Natural Builders Guild, the TSP crew is running educational workshops to expose builders, environmentalists, students, and anyone interested in alternative means of dwelling with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

• The October 31st - November 1st workshop will focus on the craft and techniques of making glass bottle and can walls. The workshop will involve assembling bricks out of reclaimed glass bottles and cans, and constructing interior and exterior walls in Bill’s Burrow to seal the structure in time for winter. There will also be opportunity for guided exploration of other types of work on the house.

 

• Learn from natural builders with experience working on Earthships in New Mexico and Pennsylvania, and get involved with an exciting project!

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Logistics

• ​Living accommodations will be provided at Stonehedge Gardens, a neighboring holistic learning/retreat center. The center offers space for camping or basic heated indoor accommodations.

• The weekend workshop costs $60 for one day (either Saturday or Sunday) or $100 for both days. The two-day option includes overnight accommodations at Stonehedge on Friday (optional) and Saturday nights. Both options include meals, instructor fees, and costs associated with running the workshop.

 

• Registration will close Monday, October 26th, the week before the event. Space is limited, so please register well in advance.  ​For more information contact:  ​nickyarhodes@gmail.com or owen.deitcher@gmail.com

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​Safety Procedures Around COVID-19

All workshop participants will be expected to follow strict CDC health and safety guidelines for COVID-19, including wearing a mask, social distancing, and regular hand sanitizing. Pre-registered participants who experience COVID-like symptoms within two weeks of the event will not be allowed to attend, and will be provided a full refund. The number of participants will be limited to provide everyone a fulfilling and immersive experience – so please register well in advance.

Schedule

Friday, Oct 30th:

5pm on

• Optional early arrival and registration at Stonehedge
• Overnight at Stonehedge

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Saturday, Oct 31st:

8am-10am

• Light breakfast
• Registration
• Walkthrough of Stonehedge

10am-10:45am

• Project orientation at Stonehedge

11am-1p

• Work at TSP

1pm

• Lunch at TSP

1:30pm-5pm

• Work at TSP

5:00pm-6pm

• Vision Walk at TSP

6pm-10pm

• Ecobrick demonstration at Stonehedge
• Bonfire at Stonehedge

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Sunday, Nov 1st:

7:30am

• Light breakfast at Stonehedge
• Optional yoga ($10 cash donation suggested)

9am-1pm

• Work at TSP

1pm

• Lunch at TSP

2pm- 4pm

• Work at TSP or activities at Stonehedge

4pm-4:30pm

• Workshop closing at Stonehedge

Checklist

Please bring the following:

• Work boots
• Work gloves (rubber gloves for concrete work & leather/gardening gloves)
• Change of clothes (including heavy pants)
• Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
• Face mask (N95 or multi-layer fabric)
• ​Snacks, water bottles (While there is potable water available on the building site, participants are encouraged to bring plenty of water to the site)
• Hand sanitizer 

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Optional:

• Tent and Other Camping Equipment
• Additional Masks
• Towel
• Work Goggles
• Empty glass bottles, to be used as building materials (the TSP crew is looking for blue bottles in particular, but any color is appreciated)