What makes House Alive different
House Alive is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable organizations in North America for teaching natural building, earthen construction and appropriate technology. Here’s what makes us different:
- We live it. From urban to rural environments, we live year-round with our families surrounded by earthen walls, straw-bale insulation, earth bags and other forms of natural building.
- We have built and worked within the code, as well as smaller non-permitted structures.
- We have built beautiful, real earthen houses from the tropical climates of southern Mexico to the harsh winters of South Dakota.
- We have extensive experience in successfully using earthen materials in the remodel of existing homes.
- We have provided leadership for 6 national Natural Building Colloquiums in the spirit of cooperation among natural building practitioners and teachers.
- House Alive is internationally known for simplifying design techniques, making it possible for people to design and build their own house.
- During our workshops and apprenticeships, students build real buildings from start to finish and are taught to adapt the learned techniques to their individual circumstances.
- Natural houses are often enhanced by appropriate technologies such as composting toilets, solar technologies, and water systems. House Alive uses a number of appropriate technologies that are demonstrated during the workshops and has a reputation for teaching these technologies in a no-nonsense, practical way.
- When useful and beneficial, we invite guest teachers to our workshops. This provides participants with new perspectives and skills, as well as additional experience in both building and teaching.
- Many of our students have successfully chosen to continue on as natural building practitioners and teachers.
- Once you have taken a workshop, we offer free phone and email consultation services for your future projects. We want you to succeed!
- We offer a money back guarantee for all workshop participants. We work hard to clearly state what we offer and what to expect from this experience. If there is any reason that the workshop did not live up to your expectations, we will happily refund your money.
Take a look at the workshop schedule or check out our visual comparison chart to find out what workshop is right for you.