You don't practice on a wall.
You help finish a home.
EarthLab is a 10-day natural building event centered around Casa de Barro our earthen home built with earth, natural materials, and regenerative design principles.
Unlike traditional workshops that focus on temporary practice walls, EarthLab invites you to become part of a real project. Throughout the event you'll contribute to the final stages of Casa de Barro while learning the complete story behind its construction from the first foundation to the final protective finish.
This is an opportunity to understand not only how natural buildings are made, but why each decision matters.
The heart of EarthLab
is earthen plastering
One of the most important and rewarding stages of natural construction. Working directly on Casa de Barro, you'll gain hands-on experience with:
Preparing natural plaster mixes
Applying base and finish coats
Creating textures and sculptural details
Protecting earthen surfaces with beeswax
Understanding clay, sand, and fiber ratios
Repairing cracks and imperfections
Natural pigments and finishes
Long-term maintenance and care
Understand the whole building,
not just the surface
Although plastering is the primary hands-on practice, EarthLab explores the entire building process behind Casa de Barro — so you leave with the confidence to approach your own projects with a broader perspective.
A rhythm of learning, movement, community & nature
Days begin with Morning Movement and a nourishing farm breakfast before gathering at Casa de Barro. Afternoons continue with hands-on work and collaborative learning then everyone comes together for dinner and evening activities. Beyond the workshops, you'll settle into the slower rhythm of community life: shared meals, conversations around the fire, and time in the surrounding rainforest.
7:00 AM
8:15 AM
8:45 AM
9:30 AM
13:00 PM
Afternoon
18:00 PM
Evening
Morning Movement
Yoga, boxing, workouts etc. The play house invites us all to move and stay physical. The program is co-created, though the community makes sure it's top quality.
Breakfast
Tropical fruits, eggs, fresh bread, banana bread, coffee; healthy food fit for foodies. No specific diets, but we accommodate those who have.
Community Sync Up
Protopia team and volunteers (guests recommended to join) meet for a morning check in. First, we do a quick emotional check, and after we share what is going on during the day, so everyone knows, and can participate on available projects. We close it with a fun fact, or a concept of the day.
Natural Building Sessions
Head to the co-working space or find your own spot. Reliable internet everywhere. Do your own work, or get involved on many projects that are going on in Protopia. You can even start and lead your own project (artistic, construction, admin etc)
Lunch
Lunch prepared daily. The table fills up, conversations start. Sometimes the best ideas come from lunch.
Hands-on Plastering & Workshops
Continue working. Attend a workout or a workshop. Or walk to the waterfall. Or spend an hour in the wood shop. The jungle is always there when you need a reset.
Dinner
The main meal. Everyone sits together. Views reaching toward Lake Nicaragua. This is where friendships form.
Community Fun
Some nights there’s music and conversation around the fire. Some nights are quiet. The space is open for connection; always an invitation, never an obligation.
Anyone curious about natural building & regenerative living
Whether you're an architect, builder, designer, artist, permaculture practitioner, homeowner, or simply someone looking to reconnect with traditional building methods — you'll find a place here.
No previous experience required. All you need is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a desire to work with your hands.
WHAT YOU'LL TAKE HOME
Practical experience in earthen plastering
A deeper understanding of natural building
Confidence to begin your own projects
New friendships and community
A lasting connection to Casa de Barro
Every stay includes
Nine nights of accommodation
Morning
Movement
Three farm meals
each day
Building
materials
One full-day
excursion
Access to all workshops & discussions
Fire
Circle
Community
activities
Facilitated by:
Alon López GNZ
Protopia’s resident natural builder and the lead builder of Casa de Barro.
He’ll share the techniques and craftsmanship behind natural plastering and earthen finishes.
Protopia Community Team
A collective of makers, builders, and creatives sharing years of hands-on experience in natural construction.
"Building with earth is about more than construction. It is about understanding materials, slowing down the process, learning through practice, and creating spaces that are beautiful and deeply connected to their environment. By contributing to Casa de Barro, every participant becomes part of a story that continues long after the event has ended."
We’d love to get
to know you.
Please take a few minutes to complete this application. We’ll review it and get back to you shortly with availability and the next steps.