As you drive up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica, the shoreline curves around the bay and the mountains tip downward into the sea. Five miles past the city’s amusement pier, with its carousel and neon Ferris wheel, other emblems of Southern California start to appear: the Getty villa—a model of an ancient Roman country house—crowns an oceanfront cliff; and the Malibu Feed Bin, a rustic red barn selling chicken feed and livestock sundries, hunkers down at the mouth of Topanga Canyon. Turn right here.
​
The village of Topanga (population 8,289) has long functioned as Los Angeles’s bohemian Brigadoon. Surrounded by Topanga State Park, the largest wilderness area within a city limit in the United States, it’s accessible by just one route: Topanga Canyon Boulevard passes through chaparral-covered hills and steep outcrops of rock, winding along for 12 miles from the ocean to the San Fernando Valley.
GETTING THERE:

Crawford Is about 1.5 hours from Grand Junction Regional Airport, and about 1 hour from Montrose regional airport.  

If you are driving from Denver it is approximately a 4 ½ -5 hour drive, depending on how many times you stop to soak in the natural beauty.  There is a train and a bus that can bring you from Denver to Glenwood Springs, and then a spectacular drive over McClure Pass dropping you into our abundant valley.  
Topanga, California

OVERVIEW: Aircrete Dome Building, Domegaia-style!

Learn how to: build a dome home with Aircrete: an amazing material that is easy to make yourself. Learn to build a low-cost home that is waterproof, fireproof, termite-proof, rot-proof, insulated, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and durable against forces of earthquakes, floods, winds and fire. 
  • Make AirCrete with DomeGaia's unique equipment​
  • Create forms for blocks, archways and round windows
  • Make and use a compass arm
  • Build an archway
  • Build a multi-faceted cupola skylight 
  • Build a fabric formed single-pour round window
  • Build a center pivot, oval-shaped wooden door
  • Practice techniques to build custom furniture & countertops​
  • Work as a team to co-create a sacred space, join hands and hearts in a joyous team effort
  • ​And much more!

Student Bonuses

BONUS 1: Each workshop participant will receive Architectural Drawings of Steve Areen's Famous Dome Home for FREE! (a 19-page download valued at $195)
Bonus 2: All Domies will receive a PDF and printed copy of our Aircrete Dome Building Student Manual with step-by-step guidance and all of DomeGaia's Favorite Recipes for making Aircrete, Mortair and more!
Get Creative! Domegaia style is hands-on, free flowing, with time to explore your own creativity.
During our 10 day workshop we intend to build a basic Aircrete dome, with installed oval front door, window openings and skylight. The exterior is finished and ready for final coating or paint. The interior is unfinished.  We explain how to install plumbing, electricity, windows, and flooring etc. but these details happen after the workshop. 

OUR INSTRUCTORS: Gabe & Rafa

Gabe is a young man who with a bit of Irish luck and a few gentle nudges found himself in the Domegaia Center for Product Development and Building Experimentation, a.k.a. Hajjar’s garage. Since February of 2017, Gabe has traveled around the world bringing  with him the simple elegance of the AirCrete dome, and sharing community, life, and love with people of all walks.
Picture
Rafa & Gabe
As a Mexican-Chilean world traveller, art director, festival producer, actor, musician, juggler, acrobat, professional clown and chef, Rafa brings a playful dynamic to the Domegaia team. With a deep appreciation for art and design, and huge creative energy, Rafa is an entertaining instructor who inspires a lot of joyful creativity.

​LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AND OUTINGS AROUND CRAWFORD

From canyon adventures, to hot springs, farm tours, and wine tastings, there is something to inspire everyone.  

Outdoor activities near Crawford:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm
Hiking – There are many hiking trails in our area and on the Land
​Crawford State Park – Our local reservoir is a great place to take a dip on the “beach”, paddleboard, camp, or go fishing. 
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/crawford
North Fork Valley Wine, cider, and farm tours and tastings  - - https://westelksava.com/ and https://www.northforkvalley.net/Food-and-Wine

Hot Springs getaways:
Orvis Hot Springs – https://www.orvishotsprings.com/hot-springs/  about an hour and a half from Crawford, nestled in the mouth of the mountain, is a relaxing treasure to soothe your body and free your mind. 
Penny Hot Springs – On the banks of the Crystal River, a FREE hot spring where you can relax and meet the beautiful locals.  https://www.carbondale.com/destination/penny-hot-springs/

Local Music:
With many talented musicians in our area, there are many opportunities to experience inspired music in a small-town venue.  Uplift your spirit, dance, and celebrate life.  

MEALS and ACCOMMODATIONS

Camping on the Land 

Picture
With several spots to choose from whether in the Creekside or up on the mountainside.  There are several options to camp on the property where you can have solitude, or camp near your new friends.  Bring your own camping gear, sleep under the stars, or let us know if you need to rent a tent.  We will have outdoor showers and an open-air kitchen available to guests staying on the property.  Wireless internet is available near the main house, though we encourage guests to drop in and connect with nature and the experience.  
Other Lodging Options: 

  • Air B&B – There are a great many Air B&B’s to choose from. Whether you would like to stay in Crawford, or stay in one of our sister towns, Paonia or Hotchkiss.  
  • Lodging – There are several beautiful Bed & Breakfast destinations in our valley, from Rustic to 5-star options.  Please let us know if you would like some suggestions for your price range and needs.  
  • Orchard Camping – there are several you pick orchards in the area where you can camp amongst the fruit trees.  
  • Camping at Crawford State Park - https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/crawford
  • Camping in the Black Canyon – Close to our property, there are also camping options at the Black Canyon proving majestic scenery for your camping adventure.  

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Arrival Day 1 | Tuesday June 18th
3-4pm: Check-In 
6:00pm: Opening Circle
6:30pm: Welcome Dinner

Days 2-10 | Wednesday, June 19th - Thursday, June 27th
7:30-8:30am: Breakfast
9am-12pm: Workshop
12pm-1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm-5pm: Workshop 
One afternoon will be free.
6pm: Dinner

Day 11 | Friday, June 28th
7:30-8:30am: Breakfast
9am-12pm: Workshop
12-pm-1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm: Closing Circle

REGISTRATION

Important note: Registration for workshop and accommodations are separate. Please secure your workshop space with a $500 deposit via the link below. Thank you! 

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 about the workshop
please contact workshops@domegaia.com

For questions about meals, accommodations or transportation
please contact  workshops@domegaia.com  
We look forward to building and exploring with you in Crawford, CO! 
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. ​