Earthbag Dome Build Bootcamp, Oct 2026
Join us for a 12-day Earthbag Dome Building Workshop in October 2026 and learn a versatile, popular, resilient natural building technique.
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 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.
This workshop is centered around the construction of a beautifully envisioned three-dome earthbag suite comprising a living area dome with a mezzanine loft of approx. 4 m diameter, an attached 2.5Â m diameter kitchenette dome, and a 3Â m diameter bathroom dome connected via an earthbag vestibule. During the workshop, participants will build the living and kitchenette domes, working on a real project from foundation all the way through to ending with applying the base plasters on the structure.
Please note that this is not our flagship annual natural building workshop where all the natural building techniques are taught in depth.
The focus of a Build Workshop is entirely on the specific building technique being taught, in this case the earthbag building technique, 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.
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 5–6 hours of physical work each day. The minimum age for participants is 15 years.
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.
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.
The workshop will be led by Shagun Singh and Raghu Raahi, who together bring years of experience in Natural Building.
What you will learn:
– Introduction to earthbag and earthbag dome construction
– Dome geometry and design principles
– Structural principles of earthbag buildings
– Advantages and limitations of the earthbag technique, with a focus on domes
– Foundation and plinth design, excavation, and construction
– Soil selection and preparation for bag filling
– Correct techniques for filling, laying, and tamping earthbags
– Raising walls while maintaining the dome curvature
– Door and window formwork, installation, and integration
– Window arches, pillow bags and lintels
– Ventilation design and installation
– Dome closure and keystone installation
– Base plaster preparation and application
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.
A TYPICAL DAY:
7:30 am: Morning Tea
8:30-9:30 am: Breakfast
9:30am-1:00pm: Sessions, with one break
1:00- 3:00 pm: Lunch break
3:00pm-6:00pm: Sessions with a tea break
7:00 pm: Dinner
8:00pm: Documentary screening / movies / discussions / slide shows (optional)
About your teachers/facilitators:
Raghu Raahi
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.
After completing a 3,800 km barefoot pilgrimage around the Narmada River, 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.
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, gaining extensive practical experience in every stage of earthbag construction.
Originally from Churu, Rajasthan, 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.
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.
Shagun Singh
Shagun Singh is the founder of Geeli Mitti, 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.
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.
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.
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 for her contribution to environmental sustainability, and she is a regular guest speaker at universities, professional forums, and government institutions.
Course Fee
₹17,000 + GST for the 12 day intensive build workshop.
The full training fee must be paid upfront to confirm your spot.
Important Notes
– The training fee does not include accommodation and meals. Please refer to the Accommodation section for details.
– Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with:
- A payment link for your preferred accommodation
- A welcome letter with guidelines
– Failure to pay accommodation dues within the specified timeframe (as mentioned in the email) will result in cancellation of your seat. The training fee will be non-refundable in such cases.
– Geeli Mitti alumni/students get a 15% training fee waiver on full fees.
Cancellations & Transfers
Seats fill quickly, and we do not allow last-minute cancellations for any reason. This ensures commitment to the worksop.
– In case of a genuine emergency, you may transfer your seat to someone else with prior notice.
Multiple options available for varying budgets and preferences. Shoes/slippers need to be opened outside living areas.
1. Dormitory-style with shared bathroom block.Â
Comfortable large space with dorm style sleeping on different levels.
Mattresses, Pillows, Sheets and Blankets are all provided.
Rs 1400/day/person, inclusive of food.
2. Pitch your own tent.
If you have your own tent, we have space for pitching as well, though we can tell you with experience that everyone falls in love with our dormitory spaces and doesn’t want to stay in a small tent.
Common bathroom block available for use.
Rs 1200/day/person, inclusive of food.
3. Safari tent
Two spacious safari tents are available with option of double bed set-up or single beds. Comes with attached bathroom.
All linen and blankets are provided.
Rs 5000/day for 2 people, inclusive of food.
4. Luxurious mud cottages with private bathroom.
Four of our exclusive cottages are available, for families or on twin sharing basis. It is an experience to remember.
Cottages have their own hot water kettle, bedding, towels.
Rs 6000-7500/day for 2 people, inclusive of food.
Meals are common for all residents, buffet style. Vegetarian.
– Morning Tea
– Breakfast
– Mid day Tea/cooling drink
– Lunch
– Evening Tea
– Dinner
Fruits and eggs can be made available on prior order, on extra charge basis.
Add this location to your Google maps and you’re good to go!
https://g.page/GeeliMitti?share
For more information on the modes of transport available to reach us, check out our Get In Touch page where we have a detailed guide.
We will help with the coordination with other participants for car pooling and taxi bookings from Delhi. This will be done few days prior to workshop.
Participants flying in internationally and domestically are advised to fly in to Delhi itself. Please plan to arrive at Delhi latest by 8:30am on 2nd Oct.’26 if you need a taxi. That way you should be able to reach Geeli Mitti by evening same day.
Those coming directly, can plan for arrival to the Geeli Mitti CoE by 5:00pm latest on 2nd Oct’26 or else before 8:30am on 3rd Oct.’26 and departure post 3:00pm on 14th Oct.’26 or on 15th Oct. ’26 morning.
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More Information:
Please note that we have 4 super friendly dogs on site so incase you don't like dogs or are super scared, this might not be the right place.
We will also help with the logistics, coordination, car pooling and taxi bookings post registration. So do not worry about that. It is helpful though to book early, for planning.
Check out the Geeli Mitti COE (Centre of Excellence) at :
Please read about the experience of other participants hereÂ
https://www.google.com/search?q=geeli+mitti+farms+reviews
Write to us at namaste@geelimitti.in to confirm your seat or for specific queries.
Calling/WhatsApp: +91 9540937144. Please call only between 10am to 5pm.
You can pay and register online by filling your details below and checking out.
Due to the volume of calls and mails and it not being our favourite thing to do, responses can get missed. Please don't take it personally and just try and connect again. You will understand why it is so difficult once you are here!
"Changing the world, one magical home at a time". - Geeli Mitti.
