NATURAL BUILDING DESIGN COURSE 2026 12–21 September 2026 Live With Earth Association ECO CAMPUS – Cadriceira, Torres Vedras Local Protected Landscape of the Socorro and Archeira Mountains A unique opportunity to become part of a living legacy. After two highly successful editions, the Natural Building Design Course returns in 2026 for what promises to be its most meaningful and inspiring edition. This year is much more than another training course. It represents the culmination of a collective journey that began around three years ago, bringing together more than one hundred participants from Portugal and many different countries across Europe and the world, who have all contributed to building, learning and sharing knowledge through natural construction. Together, we are now reaching one of the most symbolic moments in the history of the Live With Earth Association: the completion of our Natural Pigments Workshop. More than a building, this space has become a symbol of what can happen when communities work together using local natural materials, ancestral knowledge, traditional techniques and sustainable innovation. Built almost entirely with materials collected from the surrounding territory, including local clays, volcanic and other stones, sand, straw and timber, combined with recycled materials such as pallets, wood, doors and windows, the workshop stands today as a living example of circular economy, ecological design and regenerative construction. It is a small construction, but full of soul and stories. Every layer of earth contains the hands of people who believed that another way of building is possible. Now, you are invited to become part of that story. A transformative and unique Natural Building Course in Portugal. Developed by the Live With Earth Natural Building Team, this programme combines more than a decade of practical experience with a carefully structured educational methodology, involving theoretical lessons and a lot of real practice. Since 2013, our team has been actively involved in natural building, ecological design, eco-communities, regenerative practices and sustainable development, contributing to some of Portugal's pioneering initiatives in this field. Over ten intensive days, participants will experience a complete learning journey through 10 theoretical modules, supported by an illustrated digital manual, exclusive educational resources and four professionally recorded online lectures that remain available after the course. Learning continues long after the course ends, because our biggest intention is that you can apply the learnings in your daily life and share it within your communities. Throughout the course, participants will apply every concept directly on the real construction project. The practical work will contribute to the final construction stages of the Live With Earth Natural Pigments Workshop, including: • Earth wall construction • Lime and earth plasters • Natural finishes • Natural pigments and decorative techniques • Roof insulation • Green roof planning • Flooring systems • Stone wall restoration and finishes • Circular construction solutions and techniques • Traditional and contemporary natural building and modular techniques An International Learning Community This edition will also welcome three young volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps, who will spend three and a half months living and volunteering with the Live With Earth Association. Together with course participants, they will become an essential part of the construction team, bringing new cultures, perspectives and friendships into this collective learning experience. The course becomes, therefore, a truly international environment where knowledge, cultures and experiences come together around a common purpose of building sustainably, learning collectively and living with the Earth! Who is this course for? The Natural Building Design Course is open to anyone interested in sustainable construction, regardless of previous experience. It is particularly suitable for architects, designers, engineers, students, teachers, builders, craftspeople, artists, permaculture practitioners,eco-community members, self-builders, families, young people, scouts, local communities... anyone wishing to reconnect with traditional knowledge and ecological construction. Whether you wish to build your own home, develop professional skills or simply understand how natural materials can transform the way we build, this course provides an exceptional foundation and the invitation to a growing community of nature lovers, conscious and curious people. More than a Course This is a unique opportunity to experience community life, reconnect with nature and participate in a project that will continue inspiring thousands of people for years to come. Every participant leaves not only with practical skills and technical knowledge, but also with the satisfaction of having contributed to a meaningful collective achievement. When the workshop is completed, a small part of every participant will remain within this unique materialization, that was once just a collective dream. Join us. Help us complete one of Portugal's most inspiring natural building projects. Learn from experienced practitioners. Become part of an international community. Leave your mark on a living legacy. Dare yourself to live an experience with body movement, healthy food, natural surroundings, creativity, love and joy. Application form: https://forms.gle/bBmPrzQRFDuM3gQK9 Let's Live With Earth!