Cordwood Construction Workshops @ Talking Water Nature Retreat
Ready to get your hands dirty and learn the art of hand-building a beautiful, eco-friendly home?
Select date and time
Location
Talking Water Nature Retreat
6405 Suck Creek Road Chattanooga, TN 37405Refund Policy
Agenda
8:30 AM
Saturday Light Breakfast & Introductions
9:30 AM
Overview of Topics
10:00 AM
Tour of Cordwood Buildings On Site
10:30 AM
Hands-On Construction
12:30 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Hands-On Construction
4:00 PM
Q&As
8:30 AM
Sunday Morning Light Breakfast
9:00 AM
Detailed Lessons & Content Review
11:00 AM
Lunch & Review of Student Construction Plans
12:00 PM
Hands-On Construction & Skillsbuilding/Q&As
About this event
🌲🏡 Cordwood Construction Workshops at Talking Water 🌿💪
Ready to build something beautiful and sustainable? Join us for a hands-on Cordwood Construction Workshop at Talking Water Nature Retreat!
📅 Workshop Dates:
- Sep 13-14 (Saturday & Sunday)
- Sep 20-21 (Saturday & Sunday)
- Sign up for one weekend or both!
🕒 Time: Saturday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm & Sunday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
📍 Location: Talking Water Nature Retreat, Suck Creek Mountain, Chattanooga, TN
👩🏫 Instructor: Bobbie Such & the Talking Water team
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly: Kids welcome with an adult (Contact Bobbie for family discounts)
💲 Cost: $315 per student
- Early Bird: $275 if registered before June 15, 2025
- Cash/Check Discount: Save $20 when you pay with cash or check
- Group Discount: Save $30 off each additional ticket purchased
What’s Included:
✅ Tools & materials provided
✅ Vegan-friendly breakfast & lunch each day
✅ Hands-on instruction & construction practice
✅ Tour of a completed cordwood cabin
Why Attend?
- Learn how to build eco-friendly, energy-efficient cordwood walls.
- Pick up practical tips on materials, permitting, and best practices.
- Explore creative design options for homes, sheds, and more.
🔗 Register Now: TalkingWaterTN.com
📧 Questions? Contact Bobbie: Bobbie@talkingwatertn.com | 📞 (423) 713-3641
Space is limited to 12 participants per workshop—secure your spot today!
Frequently asked questions
Talking Water Nature Retreat is on beautiful Suck Creek Mountain in northwestern Chattanooga. The retreat touches Prentice Cooper State Forest.
There are 4 cabins at Talking Water and guests are welcome to rent a cabin for the workshop! Cabins may be booked at TalkingWaterTN.com. Additionally, tents are available to rent for an additional fee during the check-out process.
Nope! All tools & materials will be provided
Layers are preferred! You should wear work clothes (overalls, button-up shirts, old pants/shirts, boots, etc). Gloves will be provided to you. Anyone with long hair should plan on a headband or ponytail to keep their hair clean.
We will do our best to accommodate families! Please reach out to Bobbie to discuss your family's needs and make sure we are a good fit!
Nope!
These workshops will focus on constructing the exterior walls of a bathhouse (two toilets, an outdoor shower, and storage space). The timber frame, roof, and foundation will be complete prior to workshops. Smurf tubing (electrical) and plumbing lines will already be roughed in.
We will focus on using cedar logs as well as glass bottle logs (created during workshop). Various mortar recipes will be discussed and demonstrated.