Descrição
Are you ready to learn how to build a sustainable home from the ground up? Join us at the Community of Avalon in the stunning Portuguese countryside for a hands-on, immersive and transformational experience where you'll gain the skills and knowledge to construct a tiny house made from earth.

On 30 March 2026, we will begin a new project to build an earth bag (also known as Superadobe) dome using a combination of sustainable, eco-friendly construction methods. We are looking for enthusiastic, hard-working participants who would relish the chance to learn about:

- Foundations and drainage;
- Constructing walls, arches and domes
- Installing doors and windows;
- Heating, lighting, plumbing, solar electricity and ventilation;

The experience doesn't end with learning all these amazing building skills, but there are multiple other benefits to joining us:

- Wake up to birdsong and bathe in the beautiful river that runs through the land.
- Try out living off-grid on an evolving project in its early years.
- Surround yourself with like-minded people.
- Dine on lovingly prepared healthy meals, made with the freshest, local and seasonal ingredients.
- Take part in practices such as cacao ceremonies, Qi Gong and yoga.
- Enjoy outdoor cinema, ecstatic dances and acoustic music.


YOUR INVESTMENT

We will host the building project in two parts and the value of these two immersion events is huge. You will leave with the experience and skills to build your own dome-style tiny house out of earth - a skill that you can take anywhere. Investing the money in this immersion is an investment in yourself.

895 euros per person in twin shared room*
1195 euros for your own room*
795 euros per person for a twin-shared space in a canvas bell tent meals*
595 euros if you bring your own accommodation (camper or tent). Includes meals and tuition.

*Includes meals, tuition and pickup and drop off in Castelo Branco.


PROJECT LEADER

Adam, an experienced eco-builder, permaculture designer and co-founder of the Community of Avalon, will be leading this build. His first venture into eco-building was in Italy learning to build an earth-bag dome under the tutelage of Davide Fresca, architect and CalEarth Institute graduate. Since then he's worked on multiple cob, straw bale, Superadobe and stone houses as well as more modern construction projects.

The Earth-Bag Dome Build Immersion 2026 will be his eighth project build, one which he intends to combine a truly ecological design with his passion for teaching others the skills of building with earth.


DATES & SCHEDULE

The Earth-Bag Dome Build Immersion begins on 30 March 2026 and we anticipate the construction of the dome will take two weeks to build (all being well good weather). If you wish to arrive earlier and settle in, our doors are open for guest stays from the 27 March for 65 euros per night.
The immersion schedule is as follows:

30 March - arrival and orientation day
31 March - 5 April - construction
6 April - day off
7 - 12 April - construction

This is what a typical construction day will look like:
0700 Morning meeting and warm up
0800 Build
0900 Breakfast
1000 Build
1300 Break with healthy snacks
1400 Build
1600 Free time for optional activities
1800 Dinner
1900 Free time/games/movie
2100 Quiet time
2200 Lights out
Subject to changes due to weather, etc.

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD

We are offering two types of accommodation - a mixture of double and twin-shared rooms in Casa H, our house in the village, or, twin-shared canvas bell tents. Both are located in a village, a 5 minute drive away from the build site at the Community of Avalon.

These will be comfortable, simple, shared lodgings with access to a shared bathroom and kitchen in the house plus a kitchen and off-grid shower in Avalon. Of course, if you like cold water, there is the beautiful river running next to our project that is safe to swim in. There is access to WiFi in both locations and fresh, safe drinking water from a local spring.

If you prefer to bring your own accommodation, you can camp or stay in your own van or camper on the property, with access to all the facilities as described above.

We enjoy eating delicious and healthy meals, cooked with fresh seasonal ingredients and prepared with love. During the immersion vegetarian meals will be provided. However, we can offer meat on the side for an additional 5 euros per day and gluten or dairy free options for an additional 10 euros a day (it is difficult to source ingredients to cater for special dietary requirements here in Castelo Branco).

APPLICATION

To be part of this amazing experience, please fill out the form via the link below. We will get back to you in a couple of days. https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeS71Tpxpd.../viewform...