Build with your hands. Create with your heart.
Join us at Baan Din Doi for a comprehensive 6-day natural building workshop in Thailand, where you’ll build an earth bungalow (bedroom with attached bathroom), using old and modern natural construction techniques.
Whether you’re dreaming of building your own earth house in Thailand (or somewhere else) or a smaller project (sauna, garden house to relax, outdoor bathroom) or you’re simply curious about natural construction, eco homes or sustainable living, this hands-on course will guide you step-by-step.
Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Duration: 6 Days (8 – 13 January 2026)
Limited to 8 participants only
If you are not available to stay 6 days, and need to leave 1 or 2 days before the end, you are welcome to join the training. Contact us to know the price.
Techniques You Will Learn
During the workshop, you’ll learn several hands-on techniques:
- Cob building (traditional free-form + modern shuttered cob)
- Adobe brick making, drying, and laying
- Earth plastering
- Installation of plumbery and electricity systems
- Drainage, waterproofing, and wall protection
- Natural roof options and insulation
- Design principles for earth houses
These techniques give you everything you need to begin planning your own earth home in Thailand or elsewhere.
Techniques used for the walls (photos below)): adobe bricks dried in the sun, traditional free-form cob; cob wall made with form work (also known as shuttered cob/slipform cob).
Who This Workshop Is For
This course is perfect if you:
- Want to build your own earth home, eco-cabin, guest room, or meditation/yoga hut
- Are curious about cob houses or adobe brick construction
- Want an accessible introduction to natural building
- Have some experience and want to develop more confidence and skills
- Enjoy learning in a supportive and inspiring natural environment
You don’t need any prior building experience — just a willingness to learn.
Worried about being too tired? 2-hour lunch break; hands-on and classroom sessions mostly in the shade; several breaks. Mix of theory and hands-on sessions. If the group requests, a half-day break can be organised
Why Join Us at Baan Din Doi?
- Build a real earth house structure from scratch
- Learn step-by-step with personal guidance
- Practice each technique until you feel confident
- Eat delicious Thai meals every day
- Stay in nature, away from noise and stress
- Experience a unique creative community
- Small group: maximum 8 participants
- Receive 15% discount for future workshops
This workshop blends learning, creativity, and mindful living — an experience some participants would describe as “life-changing.”
Day-By-Day Program
Day 1 — Getting Started
- Self-introduction & visit the land
- Soil testing (a foundation of good earth building)
- Essential knowledge (Load-bearing wall …)
- Introduction to cob construction
- Preparing and testing cob mixes
Day 2 — Cob Building (1)
- Build a cob wall
- cob in formwork (shuttered/slipform cob)
- Install a window frame
- Introduction to mixing machines and power tools
Day 3 — Cob Building (2)
- Continue building the cob wall (traditional free-form method)
- Demonstration: installing electricity and water pipes
Day 4 — Natural Building Design
- Wall thickness, cooling strategies
- Planning tasks, timelines, labour
- Cost-saving strategies for natural homes
- Foundation and reinforcement
- Six natural roof options and insulation methods
This is especially valuable if you’re planning your own cob or adobe house in Thailand.
Day 5 — Adobe Bricks
- Prepare mixes (bricks & mortar) and make adobe bricks
- Learn several systems for sieving the soil
- Lay adobe bricks by hand & with tools
Day 6 — Water Protection & Bathroom Work
- Startegies to prevent penetration of water and humidity (drainage, waterproof membrane, capilarity breaks etc)
- Bathroom waterproofing options
- Finish at 4 PM
This is key knowledge for anyone planning to build an earth house with a bathroom in humid climates.
General Information
Location: Baan Din Doi, 30 minutes from Chiang Rai city, Thailand
Language: English
Group Size: Maximum 8 participants
Schedule: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (with lunch break)
Check-in: The day before (4 PM)
Check-out: Final day at 4 PM
Trainer: Alain Madec, natural builder & founder of Baan Din Doi
Food
Three Thai meals each day
Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
Fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients
Food: vegetarian or non-vegetarian
Accommodation Options
Large Tent — nature setting, shared bathroom
Earth Room — most popular, private bathroom
Air-Con Room — premium comfort
Accomodation options: (air-con room, earth room or tent). Details here.
Prices & Discounts
Includes:
- Accommodation (6 nights)
- All meals
- Full instruction and all building materials
Access to one of the most complete earth building workshops in Southeast Asia
| Accommodation | Price | Description |
| Tent | 12,400 THB | Affordable, nature feel |
| Earth Room | 14,800 THB | Best value, private bathroom |
| Air-con Room | 15,800 THB | Premium comfort |
If you are not available to stay 6 days, and need to leave 1 or 2 days before the end, you are welcome to join the training. Contact us to know the price.
Discount options:
Early Bird 10% (Four spots only; first come, first served)
How to Register
- Contact us to check availabily or ask questions. Email baandindoi@gmail.com / WhatsApp +66 856 173 480
- Secure your spot with a 25% deposit and send payment confirmation. Click here to know the payment options and the deposit and cancellation policy
With only 8 participants per session, spots fill quickly — early registration is recommended.
Baan Din Doi Natural Building 