Convento São Francisco de Mértola
2010 Workshops
2010 Workshops 'How to build an Earthship
Experience first-hand the building and construction on a beautiful building test site at the Convento in Mértola.
After the success of the first workshop in 2009, we would like to inform you about two new workshops 'How to build an Earthship' and experience first- hand the construction and building of an Earthship, the ultimate in sustainable eco-home design and practical application with the environment. The first in Portugal and will be open to the public as an example with educational and artistic purposes.
The workshop will be hosted by the Association Entre Dois Rios - Convento São Francisco de Mértola, artists collective GLCZ and Tita Aaftink. The GLCZ (artists’ Geraldine, Louis and Christiaan Zwanikken) are experienced builders in relation to natural conservancy and environmental concerns. For more than three decades they have restored the Convento by transforming the previously bleak and rotten landscape, falling medieval walls, and crumbling chapel into a flourishing place, nature preserve, and artist retreat.
The workshop will consist of max 25 participants. The October 2009 workshop had people coming from the USA, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, UK, Germany, Norway, Greece and Portugal.
Location
Based at the truly beautiful and spiritual Convento São Francisco de Mértola, it is a place to unite life, art and nature. This is what the artists collective GLCZ, have in mind: a place where the senses are stimulated, meditation is possible and creativity revitalized. The ancient Convento, thus, offers an environment where tranquility is enjoyed in harmony with nature and wildlife. An ideal place for artistic creativity and regeneration of the senses.
What to expect:
* Dates yet to be confirmed
The five day workshop will include a mixture of seminars, open discussions and hands-on experience on the concepts involved in the Earthship. There will also be a presentation on Earthships and the future of the concept in Europe. The hands-on Earthship construction will start from where we ended in 2009 (see pictures). It will involve:
- rammed earth tire construction
- insulation concepts
- ventilation
- simple carpentry
- glass bottle cutting and making bottle walls
- mud pack out
- making can walls.
* Dates yet to be confirmed
Is available to people who have already participated in an Introductory workshop or course. This will include a more in-depth range of teachings on Earthship building:
- Roof construction
- Green house construction
- Earthship independent power systems
- Water systems
In the both five days we will cover as much as possible to give you an overview of the concept and the six Principles that define an Earthship:
1) Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
2) Solar & Wind Electricity
3) Contained Sewage Treatment
4) Building with Natural & Recycled Materials
5) Water Harvesting
6) Food Production
What to bring:
For the hands-on sessions, please bring clothes you don’t mind destroying, sturdy shoes (no open toes), rubber gloves, sun block, a hat or cap, and working gloves.
How to get there:
Plane:
Fly to Lisbon or Faro.
Public transportation:
Connection via Lisbon with an express bus that runs at 17.00 directly to Mértola, arriving at 21.00 PM. From the Algarve: Villa Real de Santo Antonio has an express bus directly to Mértola. From the bus station of Mértola it’s a 10 minute walk or we can pick you up by car.
Car:
From Lisbon: 240 KM via the IP2, N123 with a journey time of 2 1/2 hours . From the Algarve: easily reached from Castro Marim via the new IC 27: with a journey time of 1 hour. From Faro Airport a taxi can be taken (booked at the Convento) costing approximately €90 with a journey time of 1 1/2 hours.
Websites:
Michael Reynolds
The architect and creator of the Earthship Concept.
Earthship Portugal
A social network site with many pictures of the 2009 workshop and discussions on Earthship inspired building.
For more information and prices:
Please fill in the form bellow or call Tita Aaftink in the Netherlands at +31 (0)6 51299631 or contact us by email info@conventomertola.com or info@tita-art.com ■
