Throughout the development of the Eco-Sense home, owners Ann and Gord Baird and their team have worked to inform policy makers, building inspectors, government representatives, school groups and special interest groups. The Bairds have developed, researched and tested new methods that are setting standards in this area of building and living. They provide the following services:
Consulting Services
Cob construction, construction options, grey water systems, rainwater harvest systems, sustainable energy options – solar power, wind power, solar thermal system integration, composting toilet thermophilic composting, living (green) roof, simplifying house construction, pitfalls and solutions, site consultation, sustainable choices, optional materials
Building Services
Site consultation / site design / site prep, space use and design, needs vs. wants, sustainable choices, infrastructure, building, earthen floors, natural plasters
Tours, Workshops and Speaking Engagements
Tailored from the general to the specific for various ages and group interests.
Public tours will continue into the new year on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 12:30pm. Cost is $20 per person. Reservations Required.
Workshops, Courses and Tours
2010 Schedule coming soon |
Course Outlines
Solar PV Basics (4 hours $200) - no prerequisites
In this small group of 8 students we will investigate the basics covering energy conservation, equipment, the volts and amps (nuts and bolts) language, system options for cabins and homes, costs, electrical code and policy, technology, local resources, and energy budgets. We will physically touch our functioning system as well as work through a 10 page booklet for you to take home. We will have time for a quick break to take a peek around the house.The goal of this course is to get you past the steep slope of the learning curve, to find out if solar PV is right for you and your project, and allow you to discuss your needs and project in greater depth with a sustainable energy supplier, installer, or perhaps start on your own do-it-yourself project.
Floors and Counters (4 hours $150) - no prerequisites
In this small group of 8 students we'll spend 1.5 hours in our circle room learning the basics from materials to techniques for many different applications. We also have a quick peek around the house to view many different surfaces. After a short tea/coffee break we will get down and dirty outside creating our own small samples to truly learn how to mix and apply the earth to create beautiful, long lasting surfaces suitable for floors and counter tops from desks to kitchens. Students will leave with a handout summarizing materials, layering, adhesion, finishing, and resources.Resource Recovery (4 hours $150) - Maximum 10 people - no prerequisites
This course will discuss the concept of zero waste through composting toilets and grey water reuse. Books available for purchase if desired. Handouts of printed material provided. Half hour coffee/tea break.Humanure Composting of Human Manure (1:45 min)
- The two P's…Yup… Philosophy and Policy
- The science of pathogens
- Benefits
- "How To' Methods - It's not rocket science
- Walk through an actual bucket dump - be brave!
- Tour 2 inside and 2 outside examples of humanure recycling facilities
- Policy
- Safety
- Benefits
- Filtration (the famous WORM BIN)
- Why, What, and How
- Water distribution systems
- Mulch basins
- Infiltration beds
- Branched drain
Eco-Sense Cob building project for 2009 a 100ft2 building for cold storage
Project details Four - 2 day workshops will be offered throughout the building season to learn hands on skills. We will focus on learning the materials, and methods to build a high quality earthen building in a very short period of time. Each workshop is limited to 6 participants to ensure individual attention and quality control as this building has to last our lifetime, our kids life time, their kids lifetime, and so on. This small out building does not require a permit and will be on a rock foundation with a carbon neutral tadalact plastered roof. (just like our shower stalls), and will be the first of its kind in the world… yes an experiment!. All students will receive full plans in autocad. This structure can easily be adapted to other structures such as small sleeping cabins, workshops, sheds, outside bathrooms, etc.Note that buildings over 100ft2 will need a building permit.
Prerequisite Students must have gone on an Eco-Sense Public Tour (see schedule above). We are here to teach you: You are not here as our labour force. All participants will be required to sign our liability waiver.
Eco-Sense Cob 1
Starting the wall building- Learn the materials and how to mix with a rototiller - no foot mixing
- Foundation attachments and door frames
- Focus is on the hands on building to create a strong, beautiful, and functional building
- Place the earthen sub-floor
- Learn to build straight walls with minimal trimming
- Learn Eco-Sense wall building techniques and how to build quickly
- Gloves, tea/coffee will be provided
- Bring a bag lunch and we can all sit together and chat at lunch time
Eco-Sense Cob 2
Finishing the wall building- Learn the materials and how to mix with a rototiller - no foot mixing
- Roof attachments and door frames
- Focus is on the hands on building to create a strong, beautiful, and functional building
- Learn to build straight walls with minimal trimming
- Learn Eco-Sense wall building techniques and how to build quickly
- Gloves, tea/coffee will be provided
- Bring a bag lunch and we can all sit together and chat at lunch time
Eco-Sense Cob 3
The roof- Learn about roof framing and attachments on a cob building
- Starting the tadelact process on the roof
- Materials, mixing and application
- Tadelact burnishing
- Final soap burnishing if time allows
- Mix materials and place the final earthen floor
- Gloves, tea/coffee will be provided
- Bring a bag lunch and we can all sit together and chat at lunch time
Eco-Sense Cob 4
Plastering the walls - brown coat- Learn about materials and mixing of earthen plasters
- Hands on fun for both inside and outside cob walls
- Experiment with different application techniques and tools
- Use natural pigments
- Discuss other plastering options for plywood and stick frame construction
- We may also do some lime pastering…maybe
- Bring a bag lunch and we can all sit together and chat at lunch time
Eco-Sense Tour rates
General Tour 2 hours |
Trade/Technical Tours 2 hours |
Half Day Trade Tour including general tour |
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Public Tours every first Sunday of each month, 10am-noon, reservation required |
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10-20 people |
$20 per person |
n/a |
n/a |
Private
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1-5 people |
$150 |
$300 |
$400 |
6-10 people |
$175 |
$350 |
$450 |
11-15 people |
$200 |
$400 |
$500 |
16-20 people |
$225 |
$450 |
$550 |
21+ |
Please call us |
Please call us |
Please call us |
Educational Tours
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Time |
Cost |
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grades K-12 |
1 to 2 hours |
$150 - $200 |
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Eco-Sense LS Tour (1 hour Look-See tour)
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max. 6 people |
1 hour |
$100 |
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| Note: General tours cover all systems on a very basic level. Trade/technical tours cover a specific system in greater detail and general tour may be added on | |||
| Post Secondary Tours: See rates above for General or Technical Tours | |||
| Ann and Gord's consulting rates (from $65-$130/hour depending on project) Earthen building, system design, sustainable system integration, rainwater harvesting, living roof, grey water, earthen floors, heating, natural plasters, sustainable basement suites, foundations, etc. |
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| Site consultations: $250 plus travel time/expenses | |||
Read what participants are saying:
Sooke Blog by Tim Ayres
Fecalphobia Not Allowed by Tricia Dower
BCSEA Board Visits the EcoSense Project by Daphne Nederhorst
Teaching and Education
For schools, for trades, for policy makers
Eco-Sense brochure - UPDATED [ PDF | 188KB ]