natural building
east
On the Shores of Change
Housing Security, Disaster PReparedness, and a Low Carbon Future
CONFERENCE & WORKSHOPS
May 9 - 11, 2025
Space is limited!
DESIGN / BUILD
MATERIALS
COLLABORATIONS
Join us at The Deanery Project for our second landmark ecological design forum from May 9-11, 2025. This event brings together designers, builders, planners, researchers, students, and homeowners to explore sustainable design and to network in an inclusive community of practice.
Highlights
Conference theme:
ON THE SHORES OF CHANGE
Participants in Natural Building EAST will explore innovative and sustainable construction materials, energy systems and community design opportunities that can change how we address our housing, climate, and ecological needs now and in future.
Housing Security
Natural building systems can help address sustainable, low-cost housing solutions using local materials and accessible building methods to foster resilient communities.
Disaster Preparedness
Natural building techniques harness local, climate-responsive materials to create structures that withstand extreme weather and support community resilience.
Low Carbon Materials
Natural building prioritizes renewable materials and energy-efficient designs that actively reduce emissions and sequester carbon to mitigate their effects in contributing to climate change
Ready to register?
Full weekend: $379.50 (includes meals & snacks)
Saturday only: $207 (includes lunch, dinner & snacks)
Sunday only: $195 (includes lunch & snacks)
See registration page for details. Scholarships available on a case-by-case basis.
View Schedule & Presentation Details
2025 Presenters
Low Carbon Materials & Carbon Sequestration
Session | Presenter | Association |
|---|---|---|
KEYNOTE: The Promise of Biochar - | Kathleen Draper | Finger Lakes Biochar |
RDA: Local Biochar Initiatives | Anneke Santilli | RDA |
Bio-based Composites | Esther Fu | Dalhousie University |
Straw bale construction & Hands-on cob, clay straw | Kim Thompson | The Deanery Project |
Hemp Building Materials | Mark LeLievre | Atlantic Hemp |
What Does Co-Housing Have to do with Resilience? | Wayne Groszko | Dalhousie University |
Addressing Labour Gaps for a Net-Zero Future | Chris Benjamin | Ecology Action Centre |
Carbon Cure: Local Company's Journey to Reduce Global Concrete Emissions | Chris Weisenberger | Carbon Cure |
Knotweed Collaborations | Jenn MacLatchey | Artist, Academic, Kayak Instructor |
Building Design
Session | Presenter | Association |
|---|---|---|
Keynote: | Lorrie Rand | Habit Studio & ReCover Initiative |
Two-Eyed Seeing & | Joshua Stomberg | Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association Office and Resiliency Centre//Solterre Design |
Yurt Assembly | Alex Cole | Little Foot Yurts |
Earth Bermed Construction a.k.a.Earthships | Bob Kloske and Pippa Creery | Homeowners |
Building Your Tiny Home | Matt Holzer | Matt Holzer Design/Build |
Community Resiliency
Presenter | TOPIC | Association | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Holistic Design and Disaster Preparedness Re-Vision, Re-Build, Re-Generate | Charles Williams | The Deanery Project & Earth Activist Training | ||
Genuine Progress Index & Film: | Kent Martin | Unceasing Play Productions | ||
Transition Initiative Insights: | David Wimberly & Dawn Suzette Smith | Transition Bay | ||
| Camilo Botero | Dalhousie University | ||
| Patty Love | Barefoot Permaculture | ||
Enviro Poet | Nanci Lee | |||
A DIY Construction Learning Journey | Andrew Crooks | Halifax Tool Library | ||
"Rock the Bike" | Kim Fry | Music Declares Emergency | ||
Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas | Christian Francis | Confederation of Mainland Mi'kmaq |
Ready to register?
Full weekend: $379.50 (includes meals & snacks)
Saturday only: $207 (includes lunch, dinner & snacks)
Sunday only: $195 (includes lunch & snacks)
See registration page for details. Scholarships available on a case-by-case basis.
Accommodation options
Stay at The Deanery Project or nearby. Details coming soon.
SPonsorship opportunities
You are invited to support this milestone event as a Partner, Champion or Supporter.
Sponsors receive substantial promotional benefits, but most importantly sponsor support makes possible this important gathering of more than 100 forward-thinking designers, builders, homeowners, students, researchers & developers. These are change-makers committed to learning and sharing knowledge about how we can reduce our carbon footprint and create collaborative innovative solutions that use local, natural, and low-cost materials in this time of climate emergency.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT
Please be in touch with us if you’d like to discuss different sponsorship opportunities! All contributions and donations appreciated!!
