Earth Ancestry
Natural building collaboration
Jan 13 - 24, 2025
colombia
Earthen Building Workshop
Discover the art of sustainable construction in the heart of Colombia with our unique workshop, in collaboration with Jaguar Siembra. This hands-on experience blends traditional indigenous building techniques with modern earthbag construction methods to create a hybrid house that harmonizes with the environment.
Over the course of this workshop, you’ll learn how to integrate age-old wisdom from local indigenous groups with innovative natural building practices. Together, we'll construct a beautiful, functional home that embodies the spirit of community and environmental stewardship.
in collaboration with
Jaguar Siembra
Project
Building Collaboration
How can we weave impactful projects while using ancient technologies to uplift them?
In collaboration with Jaguar Siembra, we will be building a 3 room structure on the newly
reacquired land that will be used as an ancient cultural heritage gathering site.
The inspiration structure incorporates both new and old building methods that we hope to teach during this workshop.
The inspiration structure
Traditional
Thatched Roof
Taught by the Arhauco Indigenous group native to this region
Superadobe/Cob
Cylinder walls under thatched roof made of superadobe and cob stacking. Walls will be laid in between posts that support roof.
Plasters
Clay Plasters on Interior
Lime/Cement Plasters on exterior
Waterproofing for wet climates
NATURE
& CULTURE
Meet Art & Ancestry
Nicolette
Mojave Center Founder
Arizona/California
Instructors
Santiago
Jaguar Siembra Founder
Santa Marta, Colombia
Jaqueline
Arquiterra Founder
Todo Santos, Mexico
Curriculum
Jan 12th
Arrival & Travel Day!
Arrive to Salvia Madre Hostel
Jan 13 -14th
Gravel Foundation
Set Roof Posts
Lay Foundation Bags
Jan 15 - 21th
Hands on Superadobe Building
Laying technique
Height compass navigation
Door & Window Forms
Material mixing
Soil-testing
Material sourcing
Jan 22 - 24th
Exterior Plasters
Interior Plasters
Jan 25th
Departure Day
Work Day Schedule
7:30 - Breakfast
8:30 - Game / Morning Stretch
9:00 - Morning On Site Build Session
12:00 - Lunch
1:00 - Afternoon On Site Build Session
5:00 - Work Day End
7:00 - Dinner
There will be half work days for
folks to go and explore!
Salvia Madre Hostel
Gauchaca, Colombia
On the Guachaca river
8 Beds
All accommodations will be shared Bungalows
Lodging
Location
G u a c h a c a
Nestled in the heart of a biodiverse jungle, this unique experience offers more than just hands-on construction skills. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of the Guachaca region.
Pristine Rivers: Begin your days with the serene Guachaca River, where you can take a refreshing dip or simply enjoy the tranquil surroundings. The lush jungle provides a vibrant backdrop, teeming with diverse flora and fauna that showcase nature’s splendor.
Beautiful Beaches: Just a short distance away, explore the pristine beaches where the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea. Relax on sandy shores, swim in crystal-clear waters, and soak up the sun after a day of building.
Cultural Riches: Discover the nearby city of Santa Marta, a vibrant hub with a rich cultural heritage. Explore local markets, taste delicious Colombian cuisine, and experience the warm hospitality of the region.
Local Traditions: Engage with indigenous techniques and local building practices that honor the environment. Gain insights into traditional knowledge and sustainable practices that have been passed down through generations.
Guachaca, Colombia is one of the most enchanting regions that combines building, culture, and nature in perfect harmony.
Logistics
Location:
Guachaca, Magdalena, Colombia
Fly into Santa Marta, Colombia or Barranquilla, Colombia Airport
Transportation:
Santa Marta, Colombia:
Flights must land before 2pm on Jan 12th in Santa Marta.
Take the city bus from airport or taxi towards Parque Tayrona.
Will be about 1 - 1.5 hour bus ride (about 2,000 pesos or $0.50usd)
The public bus transport is VERY SAFE and reliable.
Go past Parque Tayrona and get off at Guachaca. Walk to hostel.
Barranquilla :
Flights must land before 11am on Jan 12th in Barranquilla.
Take taxi to Bus Terminal
From the Terminal take large bus to Santa Marta
(about 30,000 pesos or $7usd and 2 hours of travel time)
The public bus transport is VERY SAFE and reliable.
From Santa Marta Terminal get on city bus towards Parque Tayrona.
Go past Parque Tayrona and get off at Guachaca. Walk to hostel.
Food:
Food is included
Morning meals will be at the hostel individually prepared: ex. eggs, arepas, fruit bowls, granola etc.
Lunches will be a the jobsite down the road, prepared by a local chef
Dinners will be at the hostel's restaurant.
Click here to see the menu options.
Any restaurants offsite at the beach or in town are covered by you.
Colombian food is predominately meat & seafood based. If you do not eat meat or fish, we will try our best to accommodate. It is always good to plan ahead & bring additional protein supplements & vitamins as we will be working physically.
Pricing
Earth Ancestry
Jan 13 - 24, 2025
$2100 usd
8 spaces available
Food and lodging included
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Full payment required upon arrival
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Alumni enjoy 15% off
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Bring a friend & enjoy 15% off - (one friend only, discount goes to you!)
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Discounts for returning students & bring a friend discounts are by cash payments only
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Cancellation policy: all deposits on this trip are non-refundable. We need the deposit to book the accommodation.
FAQ
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No, it is not mandatory for the workshop. We will have English and Spanish speaking instructors. We have noticed though that folks that do speak Spanish are able to connect with more of the locals and indigenous. We encourage you to practice your spanish before you come! Most locals do not speak English so you will need to navigate the buses and taxis in Spanish or via google translate.
Is it safe?
Absolutely.
We have personally traveled to Colombia 6 times within the last 4 years. It is still one of our favorite places to travel. Santa Marta is a very touristy area. As long as you stay in touristy areas and use your street smarts, you will be fine. Bigger cities like Cartagena or Bogota tend to take advantage of tourists more.
Will there be down time?
Yes! We will have slow times to go to the beaches, rivers, yoga and hang. But we will spend the entire workshop in this region of Guachaca. If you are planning on exploring the whole Santa Marta area I suggest another week planned to see all the sites.