Cordwood Construction Workshop
Three hands-on days learning a building method that is as beautiful as it is practical. Twelve seats, meals included, and no experience needed.
Our 2026 Cordwood Construction Workshop at Talking Water
Ready to get your hands dirty and learn a building method that is as beautiful as it is practical?
Just like last year, we’re inviting builders, dreamers, homesteaders, and curious beginners to Talking Water Nature Retreat for a hands-on Cordwood Construction Workshop in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Whether you’re just discovering cordwood or you’ve been wanting to try it for years, this is your chance to step into the process and learn by doing in a supportive, creative environment.
Cordwood Construction combines wood, mortar, and thoughtful design to create walls that feel earthy, artistic, and full of character. It is one of those techniques that stops people in their tracks, not just because it looks beautiful, but because it opens up a whole different way of thinking about shelter, materials, and what home can feel like.
At Talking Water, we love helping people move beyond theory and into real experience. This workshop is designed to give you practical knowledge, hands-on skill, and a deeper understanding of cordwood construction in a setting that feels inspiring, grounded, and welcoming.
What You’ll Learn
Students will be introduced to the core principles and practices of cordwood construction. We’ll cover the basics of building with wood and mortar while helping you understand the design choices, prep work, and wall-building techniques that make cordwood both functional and beautiful.
- Benefits of cordwood for sustainable, eco-friendly living
- Material preparation and selection
- Wall-building basics
- Permitting and best-practice considerations
- Design ideas for cabins, homes, sheds, and other small structures
- Common questions, lessons learned, resources, and recommendations
Students will engage in both classroom-style instruction and hands-on building led by Bobbie Such (builder of Goldfinch Cabin) and the Talking Water team. You’ll also have the chance to tour completed cordwood buildings and a wood kiln to see how these ideas translate into real structures.
What’s Included
Each workshop registration includes:
- Expert instruction
- Hands-on cordwood building experience
- Tour of a completed cordwood cabin and wood kiln
- Vegan-friendly breakfast and lunch each day
Our goal is to make the learning experience both practical and nourishing.
Who This Is For
This workshop is a great fit for:
- Beginners who want a strong introduction to cordwood
- DIY builders and owner-builders
- Natural building enthusiasts
- People dreaming of cabins, sheds, studios, or small homes
- Anyone curious about creative, low-impact building methods
You do not need prior experience. Just come ready to learn, ask questions, and participate.
Real Work, Real Skills, Real Mountain
Like our 2025 earthbuilding workshops, these gatherings are rooted in hands-on training, encouragement, and the belief that people leave more empowered when they participate in real work.
When you come to Talking Water, you’re not just signing up for instruction. You’re stepping into an environment immersed in natural experiences with forest trails, fresh air, creative energy, and a team that genuinely wants you to leave with skills you can carry into your own future builds.
Come Spend Three Days on the Bluff
There is something deeply satisfying about stacking natural materials with your own hands and watching a wall begin to take shape. Cordwood Construction is practical, sculptural, and full of possibility, and we’d love to share that process with you.
Come spend a few days with us at Talking Water learning a time-tested, eye-catching building method in a mountain setting full of inspiration. You’ll leave with new skills, new ideas, and a stronger sense of what might be possible for your own projects.
Ready to reserve your spot? Registration is open, and there are only twelve seats.