One of the hardest questions I get asked on a regular basis is: “What do you do?” It would be easy enough to say that I’m a “builder” or a “teacher” or more accurately a “teacher of building.” But Natural Building is about so much more than construction techniques; it is a movement, a philosophy, and a lifestyle. It is about making fundamental changes in not only what we build houses out of, but what “housing” means. It is about going against what the culture tells you you should have and figuring out what you really want. It is about living more simply and more fully. What I really “do” is work to spread this movement, to help people change their lives, while also working to change my own.

I grew up in a conventional brick townhouse in Boston, MA. I graduated from college with a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies; both fields of study instilled in me a love for the natural world, and a sense of urgency for protecting it.  Upon graduation I worked in the environmental education field, teaching groups of children and adults about science, natural history and ecology.

Somewhere along the line somebody told me about cob and Natural Building. It sounded interesting, and I bought a book: Dan Chiras’ “The Natural House.” I was instantly captivated, and vowed to learn more. I decided to take a cob workshop in Baja, Mexico. At the workshop I met Coenraad, who was looking for someone to help him out for the following summer. I moved out to Oregon three months later, and have been covered in mud ever since!

Over the past 8 years I have been involved in the planning and teaching of many Natural Building workshops in the US and beyond. I love teaching workshops because they give people the tools and the inspiration to start making changes in their lives and to start living in the way they have always imagined possible but never knew how to achieve. Almost without exception, people leave our workshops full of ideas and enthusiasm for their future.

I am particularly interested in international projects, especially those in Central and South America. As the wealthiest country in the world, I believe we have a responsibility to not only help those who are not as well off, but also to encourage them not to make the same mistakes we have made. In many parts of the world, traditional (and natural) building practices are giving way to concrete blocks and stud-frame walls. Many people in poorer countries look up to us as “role models” for how they hope to live. It is my hope that we can use our position of influence to re-energize the use of more traditional building techniques around the world.

When I’m not busy trying to save the world one mud blob at a time, you might find me trying to learn how to speak Spanish, do improv theater, or dance tango. Much like learning about Natural Building, these are things you’re never done doing!

The Natural Building movement is a rapidly growing and evolving one. Nearly every day I learn of an interesting new technique or project. It is heartening to see such interest in something that I believe really can change the world for the better, and I hope to be able to continue to help the movement expand and improve.

You can reach James at james@housealive.org, or by phone at (503) 957-3597.