🛠️ Build Something Real: Join Our Cob & Cordwood Workshop Series at Talking Water
Ready to get your hands muddy and your heart full?
This late summer and fall, we’re welcoming builders, dreamers, and curious souls to Talking Water Nature Retreat for a series of hands-on natural building workshops. Whether you’re brand new to cob and cordwood or looking to deepen your skills, this is your chance to learn by doing alongside experienced builders and fellow earth-lovers. Come visit our forested 82-acre mountain retreat on the edge of Chattanooga, TN and immerse yourself in the kind of sustainable, creative community you want to see in the world!
🌿 What We’re Building
We’re crafting a one-of-a-kind Cob Ceremony Hut – a gathering space designed for ceremony, ritual, yoga, meditation, and celebration.
Surrounding the hut, we will construct a Cordwood Amphitheater so that you can bring your community along for special day and create space to take in the forested mountain around you.
You’re invited to help shape every phase of the build, from foundation to finish!
🧱 Workshop Schedule
Come for one weekend or dive into the full build. Each session teaches specific techniques:
| Workshop | Dates | Price | Focus | Primary Instructors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Foundations | Aug 23–24 | Free | Trenching, drainage, run-off control, & erosion control – less formal, more action-oriented kick-off | James Such (Talking Water) & Chris Hansberger (Cob Builder) |
| 🪨 Stacked Stone & Doors | Aug 25–28 | $480 | Stacked-stone retaining walls, mortar techniques, & doorway framing | Bobbie Such (Talking Water) & Chris Hansberger (Cob Builder) |
| 🍾 Windows & Bottle Logs | Aug 30–31 | $315 | Cutting & installing colorful bottle walls, & cob detailing | Bobbie Such (Talking Water) & Chris Hansberger (Cob Builder) |
| 🌀 Cob Walls & Sculpting | Sept 5–14 | $815 | Mixing cob, sculpting, constructing niches, shelves, & wall-building from start-to-finish | Chris Hansberger (Cob Builder) |
| 🌲 Cordwood Walls | Sept 13–14
Sept 20–21 |
$315 | Make walls of stacked cedar rounds and glass bottle logs, utilizing sawdust-lime mortar | Bobbie Such (Talking Water) |
| 🎨 Interior & Exterior Plaster | Sept 24–28 | $580 | Natural plastering techniques to seal and beautify | Bobbie Such (Talking Water) & Chris Hansberger (Cob Builder) |
| 🏡 Living Reciprocal Roof | Oct 12-16 | $580 | Roundwood rafters, sheathing, & full green roof installation | Josh Burg & Sarah Crippen (Clay Sand & Soul Cob Builders) –> check out their website for gorgeous builds! |
✨ Why Join Us?
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Hands-on training in sustainable, artistic building
Led by friendly people who want you to learn and who are committed to helping you leave empowered to build your own dreams. Click here to learn more about our host, Talking Water Nature Retreat. -
Camping, cabins & delicious meals
Camping is available on-site for a $20 fee, or you’re welcome to rent a cozy Talking Water cabin at a discounted rate. A shared outdoor shower is available to all attendees.
We provide breakfast & lunch each workshop day, plus a healthy, homemade community dinner one evening per weekend. Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day. -
Discounts for groups & multi-week sign-ups
We offer discounts for folks signing up for multiple workshops, or when registering with a friend or group – please, just ask! -
Unplugged mountain magic
Hammocks, forest trails, blue holes, and quiet mornings with the birds
Whether you’re dreaming of building your own off-grid cabin, joining community builds, or simply trying something new: this is your moment to get inspired, connect, and build something lasting.
💸 Pricing & Accessibility
Workshop pricing varies based on length:
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🟢 2-day workshops (Windows & Bottle Logs / Cordwood) – $315
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🔵 4-day workshops (Stacked Stone Walls & Door Frames) – $480
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🟣 5-day workshops (Plaster Walls / Living Reciprocal Roof!) – $580
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🟠 10-day workshop (Artistic Sculpture Cob Walls) – $815
We offer discounts for signing up for multiple workshops (15%) or registering with a group or friend (10%) – just reach out and we’ll do our best to make it work for you!
*Also, please note that purchasing tickets through Eventbrite incures booking fees. If you prefer to book directly for less, please reach out to Bobbie Such at Bobbie@TalkingWaterTN.com
🌀 Let’s Build Together
Each workshop is a gathering of good people, good food, and big dreams. You’ll leave with skills, friendships, and a sense of what’s possible when we build with our hands and hearts.
👉 Eventbrite Tickets
🔵 Facebook Event
📍 Talking Water Nature Retreat • Chattanooga, TN
📅 August 23 – September 28, 2025📅 August 23 – September 28, 2025
Got questions? Email us at [your email] or DM us on Instagram @talkingwaterretreat.
We’re committed to accessibility and will always try to say “yes” if you’re genuinely interested, reach out and let’s talk to make sure you can get the knowledge to help you grow your future!