2026 Strawbale Building Course

Come and learn about strawbale building from expert and experienced trainer Sam Vivers. This course is only run once a year so make sure you book your place or add your name to the waiting list if tickets aren’t on sale yet.

Is the course for me?
There are a wide range of backgrounds and motivations for those attending the course. Many people are contemplating building in straw bale, have done some research and are looking to decide if it is for them. Some of those people intend to do the building them selves, whilst others plan to have someone else do the building but with them being the owner builder for the project.
For those who intend to have someone else undertake the building it is critical that you understand the building process, what constitutes sound construction and how to advise trades such as electricians and plumbers who may not have had any experience with straw bale construction.

Architects, builders, drafts people and carpenters often attend the course, these building professionals are either getting enquiry from clients for straw bale buildings or are pursuing their own projects. Over the three day course we go between classroom and practical elements, many people find that a concept really only clicks with them when they have backed up the theory with some hands on examples. Many participants come from interstate, we regularly have people from Wa, SA, Vic Tas as well as the occasional overseas visitor.

Classroom & Hands-on.
The course is split 50-50 between classroom learning and hands on building. Subjects are covered in detail in their theory sections with many references, pictures and specifications were possible. This is followed by practical demonstration and practice on our purpose built training area. The great benefit of this course is that you will touch all the elements of a straw bale building and this helps enormously in the planning for a project. You leave with a clear concept of the tasks involved in wall raising and rendering. This helps people with the estimating process of building, deciding what parts of the building they can see themselves undertaking or where they engage out side assistance. For those outsourcing there build the course provides and concepts such as estimating. Students leave with a clear understanding of what is involved in undertaking a straw bale building project.

Bottom Line
So if you want to learn about the right way to build in straw bale, understand the principals , get some hands on experience, and whether you intend to be an owner builder, over see your own build or your are a building professional – this course is for you.