Our hands-on earthbag dome building workshop was led by Lucas Trotman — a permaculture designer, natural builder, and ecology enthusiast. Over the course of the project, participants gained practical experience in every phase of constructing three earthbag domes featuring an arched entrance.
We were honored to collaborate with Nizar Haddad, architect of Lifehaus, whose expertise was instrumental in selecting appropriate building techniques and overseeing the entire construction process. The roof design and build were executed by Michel Maasri, who brought creative vision and craftsmanship to the project.
Workshop Highlights & Techniques Covered:
Foundation & Structure
- Compass setup and layout planning
- Building a solid stone foundation
- Constructing earthbag walls using both individual bags and continuous tubes
- Ensuring structural integrity through proper buttressing and corbelling techniques
- Building arches and lintels for doorways and windows within the earthbag structure
Water System
- Installing a rainwater catchment system to supply water for toilet flushing and kitchen use
Plastering with Natural Materials
- Identifying and testing local clay for suitability
- Developing optimal clay mix ratios for plastering
- Preparing and applying both the base and final coats of clay plaster
Additional Construction Elements
- Building a traditional stone ardiyeh (storage room)
- Earthbag insulation methods and the benefits of partially burying the structure
Roof Construction
- Ethically harvesting wood from the land
- Preparing, treating, and constructing with natural timber
- Applying roof insulation for enhanced energy efficiency
This immersive workshop offered participants the opportunity to connect with natural building practices while contributing to a fully functional, sustainable structure.
