{"id":16783,"date":"2026-08-03T17:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geelimitti.in\/dev\/?post_type=mec-events&p=16783"},"modified":"2026-08-09T12:54:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T12:54:41","slug":"earthbag-dome-build-bootcamp-oct-2026","status":"publish","type":"mec-events","link":"https:\/\/geelimitti.in\/dev\/geeli-mitti-events\/earthbag-dome-build-bootcamp-oct-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Earthbag Dome Build Bootcamp, Oct 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs shape=”square” color=”sandy-brown” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”Introduction” tab_id=”1637938750929-61da5bdf-5379″][vc_column_text el_class=”event-text”]<\/p>\n

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Join us for a 12-day Earthbag Dome Building Workshop<\/strong> in October 2026<\/strong> and learn a versatile, popular, resilient natural building technique.<\/p>\n

Earthbag construction uses polypropylene (PP) bags filled with locally available soil to create strong, durable, and a climate-responsive earthen structure. At Geeli Mitti, we build exclusively with only recycled polypropylene (PP) bags<\/strong> rather than continuous tubing or fresh PP bags, as we believe this approach is more sustainable, practical, and better suited to the contexts in which we work.<\/p>\n

This workshop is centered around the construction of a beautifully envisioned three-dome earthbag suite<\/strong> comprising a living area dome with a mezzanine loft of approx. 4 m diameter<\/strong>, an attached 2.5\u00a0m diameter kitchenette dome<\/strong>, and a 3\u00a0m diameter bathroom dome<\/strong> connected via an earthbag vestibule. During the workshop, participants will build the living and kitchenette domes<\/strong>, working on a real project from foundation all the way through to ending with applying the base plasters on the structure.<\/p>\n

Please note that this is not our flagship annual natural building workshop <\/strong>where all the natural building techniques are taught in depth.<\/p>\n

The focus of a Build Workshop is entirely on the specific building technique being taught, in this case the earthbag building technique<\/strong>, allowing us to explore and teach it practically in depth. The workshop combines classroom sessions, live demonstrations, and extensive hands-on construction. Our goal is simple – to complete the two domes during the 12-day workshop.<\/p>\n

Because this is an active construction site rather than a demonstration build, participants should come prepared for a physically demanding experience. You should be reasonably fit and able to undertake 5\u20136 hours of physical work each day<\/strong>. The minimum age for participants is 15 years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We are committed to completing the two domes within the workshop period. If required, this may involve extending the working day or even pulling an occasional all-nighter to reach key construction milestones.<\/p>\n

A basic understanding of natural building is recommended before attending. While prior hands-on experience isn’t essential, participants will benefit from having a foundational knowledge of natural building principles so they can get the most out of this intensive, technique-specific workshop.<\/p>\n

The workshop will be led by Shagun Singh<\/strong> and Raghu Raahi<\/strong>, who together bring years of experience in Natural Building.<\/p>\n

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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Details” tab_id=”1641731431910-8d67cea5-678a”][vc_column_text el_class=”event-text”]What you will learn:<\/strong><\/p>\n

– Introduction to earthbag and earthbag dome construction
\n– Dome geometry and design principles
\n– Structural principles of earthbag buildings
\n– Advantages and limitations of the earthbag technique, with a focus on domes
\n– Foundation and plinth design, excavation, and construction
\n– Soil selection and preparation for bag filling
\n– Correct techniques for filling, laying, and tamping earthbags
\n– Raising walls while maintaining the dome curvature
\n– Door and window formwork, installation, and integration
\n– Window arches, pillow bags and lintels
\n– Ventilation design and installation
\n– Dome closure and keystone installation
\n– Base plaster preparation and application<\/p>\n

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the earthbag technique, practical experience on a real build, and the confidence to begin planning your own earthbag projects.<\/p>\n

A TYPICAL DAY:<\/strong><\/p>\n

7:30 am: Morning Tea<\/p>\n

8:30-9:30 am: Breakfast<\/p>\n

9:30am-1:00pm: Sessions, with one break<\/p>\n

1:00- 3:00 pm: Lunch break<\/p>\n

3:00pm-6:00pm: Sessions with a tea break<\/p>\n

7:00 pm: Dinner<\/p>\n

8:00pm: Documentary screening \/ movies \/ discussions \/ slide shows (optional)<\/p>\n

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About your teachers\/facilitators:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Raghu Raahi<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Raghu Raahi is a natural builder, workshop facilitator, and lifelong traveller who believes that the best way to learn is by working with your hands.<\/p>\n

After completing a 3,800 km barefoot pilgrimage around the Narmada River<\/strong>, his connection with the earth and the idea of shelter took on a new meaning. This journey eventually led him to natural building and, in particular, the earthbag dome technique.<\/p>\n

Raghu joined Geeli Mitti as an intern in 2021, trained in earthbag construction in 2022, and has since gained a lot of experience with this technique (Instagram – @domesbyraghu). Over the past few years, he has helped build 13 earthbag structures across nine projects<\/strong>, gaining extensive practical experience in every stage of earthbag construction.<\/p>\n

Originally from Churu, Rajasthan<\/strong>, Raghu understands first-hand how well earthbag domes perform in hot, arid climates. Their high thermal mass, ability to utilise locally available sandy soils, and minimal reliance on timber make them an elegant and practical solution for desert regions. This deep appreciation for the technique is reflected in his passion for earthbag domes, and he focuses on imparting practical skills, structural understanding, craftsmanship, and learning through doing.<\/p>\n

During the workshop, Raghu will lead participants on site, demonstrating construction techniques, sharing practical insights from real-world projects, and helping transform theory into confident hands-on practice.<\/p>\n

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Shagun Singh<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Shagun Singh is the founder of Geeli Mitti<\/strong>, one of India’s leading centres for sustainable living, through natural building education and permaculture. The Geeli Mitti CoE is based in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas, while the Geeli Mitti NGO is headquartered at Delhi NCR.<\/p>\n

Over the past decade, Shagun has trained hundreds of students, architects, engineers, designers, and owner-builders through Geeli Mitti’s immersive workshops and real-world construction projects. Her teaching combines traditional building wisdom with modern building science, helping participants design and build homes that are healthy, climate-responsive, resource-efficient, and deeply connected to the natural environment.<\/p>\n

Shagun has designed and built and consulted on structures across all climatic zones, using a wide range of natural building techniques, including earthbag, cob, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo, stone, lime, and other locally appropriate materials. She also consults on government, institutional, and private projects, mentoring teams in ecological architecture, passive design, and sustainable building systems.<\/p>\n

She has received advanced training from Government Centres of Excellence in natural farming, biodynamic farming, polyhouse cultivation, mushroom cultivation, and other regenerative farming systems. She is an international Permaculture Train The Trainer. Her work has been recognised by VOGUE and Forbes<\/strong> for her contribution to environmental sustainability, and she is a regular guest speaker at universities, professional forums, and government institutions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Training Fees” tab_id=”1641972490770-4b2a4fa0-0543″][vc_column_text el_class=”event-text”]Course Fee<\/strong>
\n\u20b917,000 + GST<\/strong> for the 12 day intensive build workshop.<\/p>\n

The full training fee must be paid upfront to confirm your spot.<\/p>\n

Important Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

– The training fee does not<\/strong>\u00a0include accommodation and meals. Please refer to the\u00a0Accommodation<\/em>\u00a0section for details.<\/p>\n

– Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with:<\/p>\n