2026 community programming
Earthen Wall Systems: LIGHT STRAW-clay infill
What: A weekend community workshop series
Where: Chilchinbeto, AZ (exact location shared upon registration)
When: 9am - 3pm on Saturday, June 13 - Sunday, June 14
Attendance: 12 participants
Workshop Info:
Light straw-clay (LSC) is a natural building technique that consists of only two materials: straw and clay! Loose straw is coated with a liquid clay, known as ‘clay slip’, and tamped between the studs of a framed home with a temporary form board. As the LSC dries, the clay hardens and binds the straw, creating a strong, durable, and highly insulative wall that is fire resistant and non-toxic. It also supports clean indoor air quality and can reduce energy costs. The two-day workshop will introduce the fundamentals of this monolithic, non-load-bearing wall system in a way that is accessible for most contemporary residential construction methods.
Registration closes July 1, 2024
Activities Schedule
Activities Schedule
Day 1:
Intro to Light Straw-Clay infill
Gathering materials, prep, and safety check
Mix straw and clay with tarps
LSC demonstration by Mariah and Bianca
Apply form boards, infill, and tamp to create our wall
Site clean up
Day 2:
Brief overview of Day 1
Mix straw and clay with tarps
Demonstrating dowel placement and its importance
Wrap/clean up and reflections
We encourage you to attend one full 2-day weekend workshop and also welcome you to stop by when you can. Please indicate your attendance in the registration.
Location DETAILS
The workshop is located at our project site in Chilchinbeto, AZ.
Site Conditions: Chilchinbeto is located on the Colorado plateau at an elevation of 6,021 feet and is surrounded by ancient ocean formations. The workshop site is nestled next to petrified sand dunes and rich desert flora landscape. Chilchinbeto does experience all four-seasons and temperatures fluctuate during the summer months. Please expect high temperatures in the upper 90’s to low temperatures at night to low 50’s. Be prepared for dry southwest heat and possible high-windy days! Stay hydrated and bring sun-protection.
An outside toilet or outhouse is available on-site with a handwashing station. Potable water will be available on-site.
SURROUNDING AMENITIES
Grocers:
Dennehotso Market (small market/deli/laundry), Dennehotso, AZ
Mexican Water gas station and cafe, Mexican Water, AZ (east of Dennehotso)
Basha, Kayenta, AZ (25 miles west of Dennehotoso, AZ)
Restaurants:
Blue Coffee Pot, Kayenta, AZ (25 miles west of Dennehotos, AZ).
Pizza Edge, Kayenta, AZ.
Hampton Inn restaurant, Kayenta, AZ.
Golden Rice Bowl, Kayenta, AZ.
Amigo Cafe, Kayenta, AZ.
Kayenta Monument Valley Inn restaurant, Kayenta, AZ.
McDonald's, Kayenta, AZ.
Taco Bell, Kayenta, AZ.
Burger King, Kayenta, AZ.
Subway, Kayenta, AZ.
Goulding’s Lodge restaurant, Gouldings, UT.
Lodging:
Camping will be available at the Dennehotso project site. You can also book lodging at:
The View Campground (Monument Valley, UT)
Monument Valley KOA (Monument Valley, UT)
Hampton Inn (Kayenta, AZ)
Kayenta Monument Valley Inn (Kayenta, AZ)
Wetherill Inn (Kayenta, AZ)
The View Hotel (Monument Valley, UT)
Goulding’s Lodge Monument Valley (Goulding, UT)
Dennehotso Market with Walking With Dinétah mural by Lynnette Haozous
NI staff and board at Amigo Cafe in Kayenta, Az
about the InstructorS
Mariah Ashley
Mariah is Diné, Tsinaajini, born for Ta'neesahnii. They are from Chichitah, New Mexico and currently reside in Flagstaff, Arizona. Mariah has been learning and practicing the art of natural building for 5 years after she inherited the “Strawbale House” aka ‘Strawberry Home’ from her late grandmother. Since then her love for earthen plastering and natural building has evolved into providing sustainable housing solutions and bringing communities together!
As we enter a changing environment, the need for community and adequate housing is critical. With natural building we can build relationships to each other and to the land, foster community care and cooperation, and empower ourselves to build our own homes without being reliant on loans and mortgages. Mariah’s dream is to see Indigenous people’ reclaim their matriarchal and ancestral homelands by sheltering one another with sustainable housing that is non-toxic, fire resistant, breathable, humble and made from the earth as our ancestors intended.
Bianca Mondragón
Bianca Mondragón is 37 years old from Nogales Tucson and Flagstaff Arizona. She started learning about soil remediation and natural building in 2011. From her studies on the central coast of California, she moved back to Arizona in 2015 and started building her cob (monolithic adobe) home north of Flagstaff. She started teaching natural building courses through Cob Cottage Co. And Quail Springs Permaculture. Currently, her business and full-time job are consulting on cob, light straw clay, and strawbale homes. Design, engineering, and the construction of buildings from foundation to finishes. Specializing in lime/clay finishes and earthen floors for the past 8 years. Teaching others how to shelter themselves in beautiful, healthy, dignified homes is the main part of her work.
