Roundhouse Building Course. 17th – 30th September 2021

Experience living and working together as a community on this practical, hands-on roundhouse building course, and immerse yourself in the rustic natural beauty of Talbérou in the South of France.

We will be covering both the theory and practice of all aspects of roundwood timber framing to give you the skills to create your own beautiful, natural structure.
Timber roundhouses are self-supporting structures built the world over since the Bronze Age. Built using whole tree trunks – or ’roundwood’ – they have provided shelter for communities to gather in since time immemorial. This course will take you through the step by step process of raising a standing structure, from selecting and preparing the oak timber that’s been slowly grown in Talberou’s woodland, right through to the safe use of tools, technical joinery and after-care. This course will be a deeply connective experience, honouring the hand-hewn journey from tree to roundhouse, as well as the woodland that grew it.

Raising a frame using traditional methods is a joyful and inherently communal activity. The reciprocal roof is made up of beams which balance one on top of the other to create an extremely strong frame. Like individuals in a healthy community, every beam plays its part, with none more vital than another. Because its centre is everywhere, if you remove even one of the beams, the roof will collapse. Reciprocity, in its essence, is the act of relying on one another for help, where skill sharing and collaboration are fundamental to the health of the ‘village’, and where every individual is recognised as having something to contribute to the whole, just like the beams.
We will be building a community, as well as a beautiful roundhouse that will host events and gatherings in this wild place for many years to come. Together we will co-create a culture of reciprocity, which meets our innate need for contribution, fun and relaxation, and where every ‘beam’ will help strengthen and support our village by caring for a task each day – be it meal prep, collecting water or even maintaining the compost loos!

THIS COURSE WILL GIVE YOU
An understanding of where to site your roundhouse, and the selection of the correct timber and poles. The design principles of creating a reciprocal roof.
Opportunity to use a range of hand and power tools, including peeling bark using a traditional draw-knife, saws, hammers and drills.
The theory and practice of cutting various joints and raising the frame.
Understanding of various natural materials and finishes.
Creative input to design and decorate it how you want.
Deep nature connection in a beautiful natural retreat space.
Shared meals, fireside community discussion and connection practices for a memorable and rich group experience.
No previous experience is required, just a willingness to get involved, ask questions and have fun!