2-Day Cob Artisan Pizza Oven Building Workshop

Instructor

Scott Howard

Level

All levels

Start Date

Saturday September 6th and Saturday September 13th, 2025

Time

9:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Location

Vernonia Springs, Or.

Course Description

Overview:

Join us at Vernonia Springs Saturday September 6th and Saturday September 13th, 2025 from 9:00-6:30 PM.

Day 1: (9am–6:30pm)

Topics Covered:

Foundation Design
- Choose a stable base: recycled bricks, urbanite, or stones.
- Ensure solid base soil and proper drainage.
Soil Testing for Cob
- Jar test to analyze sand/clay ratios (ideal: 70% sand, 30% clay).
- Adjust mix with additional sand or clay as needed for various purposes.
Hearth Bricks
- Lay firebricks (heat-absorbing) for the oven floor.
- Kiss bricks together tightly for a smooth and clean oven floor.
Sand Mold Construction
- Shape damp sand into a dome (form for the oven cavity).
- Proportions: ~18–24″ interior height for a standard oven.
First Cob Layer (3–4″)
- Mix soil, sand, straw, and water with feet and hands.
- Apply evenly over sand mold, integrating together for structural integrity.

Day 2: (9am–7:30pm)

Topics Covered:

Removing the Sand Form
- Carefully excavate sand through the oven door opening.
- Refine interior shape as needed.
Insulation Layer
- Options:
  - Straw-clay mix (most affordable).
  - Perlite or vermiculite – clay (most insulative).
  - Recycled glass bottles (embedded in cob for air pockets).
Finish Plaster Application
- Mix fine clay, sand, and fiber for a crack and water resistant surface.
- Apply decorative touches: relief sculpture, carvings, natural pigments, or burnishing.
Build Door
- Create a functional, beautiful, and heat resistant door from wood and / or metal.
Cooking Demo
- Firing the oven: Start with small fires, gradually increasing heat.
- Cooking tips: Gain practical knowledge about how to cook your favorite dishes with the new cob oven!

Please provide your own lunch and snacks. Bring your water bottle. There is unlimited filtered water.

Cycling: Bring a bike if you would like to ride the Banks-Vernonia State Trailer on your free time or after the workshop ends.

Course Instructor

Scott Howard

Bioarchitect | Earth Artisan | Regenerative Designer | Master Builder

Years of Experience: 20+ Years

Scott Howard – Earthen Hand Natural Building – EarthanHand.com

For over two decades, Scott Howard has been reshaping the way we build – transforming clay, straw, and wood into living, breathing structures that harmonize with nature. As the founder of Earthen Hand Natural Building (2002), he doesn’t just construct homes – he crafts regenerative destinations where human life and the natural world thrive together.

A visionary teacher and hands-on builder, Scott has inspired hundreds of students across the globe — from the islands of Thailand to the mountains of Colorado, from Rwandan villages to Puerto Rican jungles. His work proves that sustainability isn’t just a concept – it’s a living practice, rooted in ancient wisdom and adapted for modern resilience.

A Legacy of Regenerative Design

He Designed and Built “The Regenerative Home”— a self-sufficient sanctuary made of 95% adobe that harvests water, generates power, grows food, and recycles wastes – all while standing strong for generations.
Global Impact — Designed and built structures in Mali, Jamaica, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, and beyond, blending local materials with time-tested techniques.
Teacher & Mentor — His workshops don’t just teach howto build – they also highlight whywe must build differently, reconnecting people to the land beneath their feet as well as each other.

From Soil to Soul: A Life’s Work

Scott’s journey began with a simple truth: We are not separate from nature, but integrally part of it. His ongoing studies of human ecology and indigenous wisdom led him to Bioarchitecture, where every structure breathes, adapts, and nurtures life through measurable bio-harmonic electrical capacitance that amplifies the latent frequencies of the Earth to encourage holistic well-being.

Today, he continues to provide innovative designs made without toxic materials, using earth minerals and renewable plant fibers. His mission is to remind us that the best way to build a future is to work with the power of Nature. Join Scott in reimagining what’s possible one regenerative home at a time – improving how we see ourselves as participants in the symphony of life.

Payment Details for the Course

Payment Options: Payments will be accepted up to 14 days before workshop start date or until workshop is full. You can pay a 20% deposit to hold your spot. Balance is due 60 days before the event start day. All payments are non-refundable within 60 days of workshop start date. Must be 15 years and older to attend. No animals are allowed. See workshop description for more information. Note on Refunds. TVA is charged a 2.9% +.30 cent transaction fee by Woocommerce. In the event of a refund request, this transaction fee cannot be refunded. All other fees can be refunded per the policy above

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$160.00 – $799.00

Tuition

Clear

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