EarthlyBuilder Course: Natural Wall Systems & Foundations

Realize Your Dream of Building a Mud Home

Explore the world of natural construction with “Natural Wall Systems & Foundations.” This course delves into the art of building with earthen walls and robust foundations. Learn techniques involving mud, lime blends, and waterproofing. Discover the role of plant mixtures, natural gums, and fibers in crafting durable walls. Gain insights into flood-resistant foundations, budget-friendly methods, and user-friendly approaches to building walls using mud and other natural materials—without cement.

Immerse yourself in this comprehensive course and develop the skills needed to construct solid structures that integrate seamlessly with your chosen roofing style.

Course Package Overview

Unlock the secrets of natural building materials with our in-depth online course! This program features six chapters covering essential topics such as natural building principles, mud, bamboo, lime, surkhi, and admixtures. Gain confidence in making informed decisions about natural construction. Enroll today and take your first step toward mastering natural building techniques.

Course Details

• Language: English
• Duration: 10 hours 35 minutes (5 hr + 5 hr 35 min)
• Learn at Your Own Pace
• Validity: Lifetime
• Price Includes: GST (18%), Payment Gateway Charges (2-3%), Platform Charges (10%), Affiliate Charges (20%)

About the Course

Following the success of “Part 1: Essential Materials of Natural Building” and “Part 2: Roofing Techniques,” we proudly introduce “Part 3: Walls and Foundations.” This segment provides a deep dive into foundational elements, enabling you to start your building journey from the ground up. These essential insights empower anyone aspiring to construct a sustainable home.

Topics Covered

• Foundation, Plinth, and Plinth Beam
• Methods of Building Mud Walls
• Mud-only techniques, stabilized mud with lime, and waterproofing with pozzolanic materials
• Role of plant mixtures, natural gums, and fibers in wall construction
• Flood-resistant foundations and durable wall techniques
• Cost-effective, step-by-step construction methods

Course Highlights

• Foundations without cement
• Plinth and plinth beam techniques using limecrete
• Wall systems such as Cob, Adobe, Wattle and Daub, CSEB, Earthbag, stone, and brick construction
• Types of masonry and bonds, including RR Masonry, Dry Rubble Masonry, English & Flemish Bond, and Rat Trap Bond with its advantages
• Different types of mortars, including mud mortar, mud-lime mortar, lime-sand mortar, and lime-pozzolanic mortar
• Fixing openings such as doors and windows
• Sculptures and architectural elements like niches and air ducts

To ensure a thorough understanding, each module offers detailed instruction. This course equips you with the knowledge to build solid foundations and walls that align with natural roofing methods.

Course Breakdown

1.1 Introduction to Natural Building

• Evolution of Shelters
• Ancient Textbooks and Age-old Structures
• Traditional Shelter-Making Systems
• The Origin of EarthlyBuilder’s Knowledge
• The Shift Away from Natural Building & Why It Matters
• Benefits of Returning to Natural Building
• Jagrat (Awake): Engaging the Five Senses in a Mud House

1.2 Mud

• Understanding Soil & Its Components
• Procuring and Examining Soil
• Mud Tests:
  • Hand Feel Test
  • Cigar Test
  • Ball Drop Test
  • Mud Biscuits & Cookies
  • Mud Bottle Test
  • Mud Sampling
• Conclusion & Jagrat

1.3 Bamboo

• Bamboo as a Versatile Grass, Not Wood
• Ancient Text Knowledge & Traditional Uses
• Types of Bamboo & Procurement Methods
• Harvesting & Traditional Indian Practices
• Market Sourcing and Treatment Methods:
  • Water Immersion
  • Smoking
  • Light Fire Baking
  • Boric and Borax Dipping
  • Cow Urine Immersion
• Selecting the Right Treatment Method
• Uses of Bamboo in Construction
• Conclusion & Jagrat

1.4 Lime

• Jagrat: The Versatility of Mystic Lime
• Traditional Use & Lime Cycle
• Kiln Burning, Benefits, and Storage
• Lime Slaking Methods (Dry & Wet)
• Lime Quality Tests:
  • Visual Examination
  • Field Test
  • Ball Test
  • Stabilization Test
• Where Lime Can Be Used in Construction
• Downsides of Cement vs. Lime’s Benefits
• Village Story & Jagrat

1.5 Surkhi

• What is Surkhi?
• Ancient Texts & Traditional Building Examples
• Understanding Pozzolanic Materials & Their Benefits
• DIY Surkhi Production & Quality Testing
• Mixing Surkhi for Construction
• Conclusion & Jagrat

1.6 Admixtures Part-1

• What Are Admixtures & Their Components?
• Ancient Texts & Traditional Uses
• Admixtures in Natural Building:
  • Kadukkai-Jaggery Mix
  • Neem-Turmeric Water
  • Starch
  • Cow Dung & Cow Urine
  • Natural Fibers
  • Gums from Varaal Fish
• Conclusion & Jagrat

Why Choose EarthlyBuilder?

This course offers in-depth insights into natural building techniques from an Indian context, making it unique compared to global methods. With historical references, real-world applications, and practical demonstrations, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to build sustainable, eco-friendly homes.

Enroll Today & Start Your Journey Towards Natural Construction!