Deep in the rain forest at the base of the majestic Mount Arenal volcano, DomeGaia and Brave Earth are collaborating to build a third AirCrete dome in Costa Rica on a biodynamic, regenerative farm and retreat center.
We are honored to host this two-part workshop with the folks at Brave Earth & look forward to building with friends from around the globe in Costa Rica!
We are honored to host this two-part workshop with the folks at Brave Earth & look forward to building with friends from around the globe in Costa Rica!
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Career Opportunities
Interested in becoming a professional Aircrete builder or a workshop instructor? Our workshops are the best way to learn to build DomeGaia-style! You'll meet people from all over the world with whom you can collaborate. Our Community Forum has a growing list of folks who need help with their projects. Ready to start your career? Create a free profile to post your skills and availability in the forum. |
OVERVIEW: Foundation-to-Finish, DomeGaia-style!
This 26-day workshop is divided into two, 13-day sessions. Attend both sessions to take your building from foundation to finish at a discounted rate! See Tuition section below.
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SESSION 1
DOME FOUNDATION & BUILDING WORKSHOP November 12 - November 25 |
SESSION 2
DOME COMPLETION & FINISHING WORKSHOP November 26 - December 9 |
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Learn the basics of Aircrete dome building following our Level 1 Workshop process with a few special topics added.
See Workshop Curriculum below for more details. |
Attend Session 2 if you have already attended a DomeGaia workshop and want help transform a basic Aircrete dome from a shell into a comfortable, unique living space. This session will focus on finishing a previously constructed Aircrete dome. See Workshop Curriculum below for more details.
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LOCATION: La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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Nestled amidst endless tropical rainforest, the workshop site is located between San Ramon and La Fortuna, “The Fortune” in Spanish, aptly named for its extremely fertile lands. The property is approximately 30 minutes from Arenal Volcano and is adjacent to 110,000 acres of protected rainforest. Many consider Arenal to be the spiritual center of Costa Rica. It is home to world-class thermal baths heated by the geothermal activity of this large dormant volcano.
There are several places nearby that will allow participants to experience different ecosystems and activities. The Children's Eternal Rainforest, La Catarata (a 230 foot waterfall), Arenal Volcano National Park, Lake Arenal, Rio Celeste National Park, and day-trips which include horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hanging bridges, zip-lines, mountain biking and paddle boarding. |
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Airport: San Jose International (SJO)
On-site accommodations are provided by Finca Luna Nueva Lodge, located 2.5 hours away from the San Jose International Airport. Click here for directions to the land. Upon request, private or shared transport can be arranged by the staff at Finca Luna Nueva Lodge from SJO. Transportation costs are additional; please see the Brave Earth brochure below. |
OUR HOST: Brave Earth
Brave Earth is a regenerative biosphere. Their mission is to create a new type of model, a living laboratory in service to regeneration and co-evolution with Nature. Their long-term vision is to create a network of communities globally that are united through a shared vision to move from an extractive, capitalist model to a regenerative system.
Our host, Brave Earth, is offering lodging, on-site tours, transportation and local outings through Finca Luna Nueva Lodge, rated one of the top ten ecolodges in Costa Rica. The ecolodge is also a living classroom, regenerative farm, and recreational paradise.
Finca Luna Nueva offers a farm-to-table restaurant, miles of hiking trails through the lush rainforest, a Sacred Seed Sanctuary featuring 300 plants prized for their medicinal or sacred uses, spa services, and an ozonated pool and jacuzzi. There are several on-site activities such as night wildlife hikes, birding, and tours of the Sacred Seed Sanctuary and cacao production.
Finca Luna Nueva offers a farm-to-table restaurant, miles of hiking trails through the lush rainforest, a Sacred Seed Sanctuary featuring 300 plants prized for their medicinal or sacred uses, spa services, and an ozonated pool and jacuzzi. There are several on-site activities such as night wildlife hikes, birding, and tours of the Sacred Seed Sanctuary and cacao production.
Brave Earth Host Brochure
| Brave Earth Brochure: Accommodation & Transportation Details, Host Tours & Outings and Wellness Packages PDF |
CURRICULUM & STUDENT MATERIALS
Session One |
Student Bonuses |
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Learn how to:
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BONUS 1: Each workshop participant will receive Architectural Drawings of Steve Areen's Famous Dome Home for FREE! (a 16-page download valued at $95)
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We've come a long way since our first domes which were made of clay bricks and cinder blocks! Now we're teaching how to build a dome home with Aircrete: an amazing material that you can make yourself almost as easy as making pancake batter. Learn to build a low-cost home that is waterproof, fireproof, termite-proof, rot-proof, insulated, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and durable against the forces of earthquakes, hurricanes & tornadoes!
Session TwoExplore how to:
*Important Note*
During the Session 1 workshop, we will build a basic, unfinished Aircrete dome shell. In Session 2, we will include plumbing, electricity, windows, flooring and furniture. We will do our best to complete the domes to the level of expectation for each session; however, there is no guarantee of full dome completion or finishing. Unexpected obstacles like weather conditions, for example, may prevent us from completion. Thank you for understanding! |
Bonus 2: All Domies will receive a PDF and printed copy of our Aircrete Dome Building Workshop Student Manual with step-by-step guidance. PLUS DomeGaia's Favorite Recipes Sheet for making Aircrete, Mortair and more!
Get CreativeDomeGaia-style is very hands-on with free-flowing organized teams. You can learn at your own pace and choose how you want to be involved. We encourage you to explore your own unique creativity!
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OUR INSTRUCTORS: Gabe & Rafa
Gabe, Workshop Coordinator & Instructor
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Rafa & Gabe
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Rafa, DomeGaia Instructor
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Read more about our enthusiastic instructors on Our Team page!
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS & OUTINGS
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Finca Luna Nueva Lodge
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We have planned several outings for the group to enjoy local attractions. Lunch and dinner will still be served these days. Please see the Brave Earth brochure for more information.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Finca Luna Nueva Lodging
Finca Luna Nueva Lodge hosts a wide range of events for those seeking a private rainforest retreat. The eco-lodge offers a diverse selection of accommodations for different needs. They also offer high-speed WiFi, meeting facilities, a bamboo yoga platform, and a full-service restaurant accommodating vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies.
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Brave Earth Cuisine
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be shared together at Brave Earth's newly constructed leaf shaped restaurant with a special guest chef.
The kitchen prepares delicious and healthy foods with the organic greens, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and dairy from Finca Luna’s Demeter-certified biodynamic, regenerative farm. Many different selections are offered, as the menu varies depending on the weekly harvest. Probiotic-rich and fermented indulgences, such as kefir, kombucha and kimchi will be offered daily. Turmeric and ginger, known for their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant potency, are infused into juices, dressings, and smoothies.
The kitchen prepares delicious and healthy foods with the organic greens, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and dairy from Finca Luna’s Demeter-certified biodynamic, regenerative farm. Many different selections are offered, as the menu varies depending on the weekly harvest. Probiotic-rich and fermented indulgences, such as kefir, kombucha and kimchi will be offered daily. Turmeric and ginger, known for their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant potency, are infused into juices, dressings, and smoothies.
Lodging & Meal Packages
| Brave Earth Brochure: Accommodation & Transportation Details, Host Tours & Outings and Wellness Packages PDF |
WORKSHOP SCHEDULES
SESSION 1: DOME FOUNDATION & BUILDING WORKSHOP
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SESSION 2: DOME COMPLETION & FINISHING WORKSHOP
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Arrival Day | Monday, November 12
3-4pm: Check-In @ Finca Luna Nueva 6:00pm: Opening Circle 6:30pm: Welcome Dinner Days 1-12 | Nov 13 - 24 7:30-8:30am: Breakfast 9am-12pm: Workshop 12pm-1:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm-5pm: Workshop, Outing or Farm Tour 6pm: Dinner Day 13 | Sunday, November 25 7:30-8:30am: Breakfast 9am-12pm: Workshop 12-pm-1:00pm: Lunch 1:00pm: Closing Circle |
Arrival Day | Monday, November 26
3-4pm: Check-In @ Finca Luna Nueva 6:00pm: Opening Circle 6:30pm: Welcome Dinner Days 1-12 | Nov 27 - Dec 8 7:30-8:30am: Breakfast 9am-12pm: Workshop 12pm-1:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm-5pm: Workshop, Outing or Farm Tour 6pm: Dinner Day 13 | Sunday, December 9 7:30-8:30am: Breakfast 9am-12pm: Workshop 12-pm-1:00pm: Lunch 1:00pm: Closing Circle |
REGISTRATION
Important note: Registration for tuition and accommodations are separate. Please secure your workshop space with a $500 deposit via the link below and then reserve your accommodations as directed. If you wish to come early or stay longer after the workshop dates, please make those reservations with the host as soon as possible as space is limited. Thank you!
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CANCELLATION POLICY
- Folks cancelling more than 4 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop will receive a full tuition refund, minus any processing fees.
- Those cancelling 2 - 4 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop will receive a half tuition refund, minus fees.
- No refunds for cancellation requests made less than 2 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop.
- If the workshop has to be cancelled for some reason, you will receive an immediate full refund. We have never had to cancel a workshop, so this is highly unlikely.
If you have any questions please contact Gabe at workshops@domegaia.com or Hajjar at hajjar@domegaia.com
We look forward to building and exploring with you in Costa Rica!