How to Build a Mud House

What you'll learn

Learn the traditional craft of mud house construction with our hands-on workshops in Sydney!

Undertaking the Building a Mud House: Scale Model Workshop provides a unique opportunity to delve into the ancient craft of mud house construction. This course offers insights into traditional high-performing mud-building techniques that have sustained communities very comfortably for centuries on every continent.

Through hands-on experience, participants gain practical skills in mixing mud, shaping mud-building materials, and constructing walls incorporating functional furniture such as wood-fired appliances.  Aesthetic elements such as alcoves and textured decorative finishes will be discussed. During the workshops, participants will gain an understanding of sustainable, eco-friendly building materials and methods that can be applied to creating a cosy, resilient and energy-efficient structure, made from local resources.

Beyond the practical aspects, this workshop series encourages artistic creativity as participants explore ways to realise their design ideas. 

Additionally, this course fosters a sense of community and collaboration, providing a space for participants to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and support one another in their learning journey. Through group discussions and feedback sessions, participants enhance their skills and also benefit from the collective wisdom and diverse perspectives of their peers.

Undertaking this workshop series instils a sense of empowerment and self-reliance, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to embark on their mud-building projects. Whether aspiring builders or simply enthusiasts of sustainable living, participants emerge from the course with a newfound appreciation for the beauty, simplicity and resilience of mud architecture, along with the practical skills to bring their creative visions to life.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop series, it is intended that participants will be able to:

• understand the fundamentals of mud house construction;
• construct a scale model mud house using traditional techniques;
• apply techniques for mixing and shaping mud into building materials, walls, furniture and wood-fired appliances;
• utilise an abundant natural material for sustainable building;
• implement design principles for functional and aesthetically pleasing structures;
• understand how to maximise the energy performance of your structure for optimal comfortability;
• demonstrate basic maintenance and preservation methods for mud buildings.

After finishing this workshop series, you might like to enrol in our "Advanced Mud House Construction" course which includes a visit to a completed life-sized backyard liveable mud house sleeping pod cubby house.

Course Content

What will be covered in this mud house workshop series?

Session 1:

Part A: Introduction to Mud House Construction

• Overview of mud house construction techniques and vision
• Introduction to materials and sourcing them
• Placement of your structure for maximum performance and laying a stone foundation

Part B: Mud Mixing and Preparation

• Understanding mud ratios and consistency
• Hands-on practice mixing mud
• Preparing mud bricks and cob

Session 2:

Part A: Building Walls and Structures

• Techniques for laying mud bricks, building blocks and cob for building and sculpting walls
• Adding doors and windows
• Incorporating furniture and decorative sculptural elements

Part B: Roofing and Finishing Touches

• Options for roofing materials in mud construction
• Rendering and finishing techniques for walls and surfaces

Session 3:

Part A: Maintenance and Preservation

Decorative elements and final touches

Basic maintenance practices

Strategies for preserving and beautifying mud structures.

Part B: Model Presentation and Discussion

• Presenting completed scale model mud house.
• Group discussion and feedback
• The next steps in exploring mud house construction

Intended Audience

• Who is this workshop series for?

This workshop series is suitable for anyone interested in traditional mud construction methods, and wishing to learn a sustainable building method.

Course Venue

TBA

Course Materials

Learning Resources

All necessary learning materials will be provided during the workshop sessions.

What to Bring to Class

• Comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on work outdoors including covered shoes and a hat. Be prepared to get dirty. 

Additional Information

Participants are encouraged to work as a team, ask questions and engage actively in the learning process.