We invite you to join us for two days of Natural Building presentations and learning on April 6 and 7, 2019, at our annual Natural Building Conference. Like previous years, there will be a variety of workshops, round table discussions, and presentations on a variety of topics of interest to builders and potential owner-builders.
This conference is a great opportunity to connect with others in the natural building and straw bale community who we don't often get the chance to meet up with. Tasty libations and a music jam on Saturday evening will give everyone time to mix and mingle both personally and professionally!
The Ontario Natural Building Coalitions’ Annual General Meeting of members will take place at 9am on Sunday April 7, followed by further educational and social events.
Accommodation is available from Friday night (Friday night check-ins from 5 - 9pm) through to Sunday, and super delicious and healthy meals are included. (Most food sensitivities can be accommodated)
Accommodation is rustic "Indoor Camping Style" in cabins of 6 or more people. Bedding and towels are not provided. Washroom and shower facilities are available, in a central washroom building. You must bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and/or bedding, towels etc. A flashlight is a good idea too.
Schedule - Saturday
8:30 - 10:00 am Registration (please arrive early, so you can check-in, find your cabin etc., and not miss any of the conference! 10 am Welcome and Housekeeping - Tim Krahn, ONBC President 10:30 am - 12:00 Plenary Session - Rotary Hall Buildings as Systems - Andrew Oding, General Manager, Director of Building Science for Building Knowledge 12:00- 1:00 Lunch - Raffle tickets on sale. 1:00 - 2:15 PM - Plenary Session - Rotary Hall Fire and Water: The Bale Walls that Didn't Burn and Didn't Rot - Deirdre McGahern, Straworks Inc. 2:15-3:15 PM - Plenary Session - Rotary Hall HVAC Design for Healthy Houses - Jordan Hoogendam, Zon Engineering 3:15-3:30 Break - raffle tickets on sale 3:30-5:00 PM - Plenary Session: Nature is the Gold Standard -Building Biology - Bobby Ilg, Ilg and Ilg Architects and Interior Design - Building Biology design philosophy and examples from Bobby's Architecture practice in Ottawa 5:00 -11:00 pm BaleHeart Bar opens with organic wines and craft beers and ales. 6:00 pm Dinner - Raffle tickets on sale. 7:30 pm Slide Show of Recent Natural & Bale Buildings "5x5" Slide Show- photos and stories from over a dozen contributors (send your five photos to ckeetch@webhart.net before March 20) 8:30 pm Socializing and musical mayhem. Bring your instrument and join the Jam Session! 11:00 pm Last call at the bar.
8:30 - 10:00 am Registration (please arrive early, so you can check-in, find your cabin etc., and not miss any of the conference!
10 am Welcome and Housekeeping - Tim Krahn, ONBC President
10:30 am - 12:00 Plenary Session - Rotary Hall Buildings as Systems - Andrew Oding, General Manager, Director of Building Science for Building Knowledge 12:00- 1:00 Lunch - Raffle tickets on sale.
12:00- 1:00 Lunch - Raffle tickets on sale.
1:00 - 2:15 PM - Plenary Session - Rotary Hall Fire and Water: The Bale Walls that Didn't Burn and Didn't Rot - Deirdre McGahern, Straworks Inc. 2:15-3:15 PM - Plenary Session - Rotary Hall HVAC Design for Healthy Houses - Jordan Hoogendam, Zon Engineering
3:15-3:30 Break - raffle tickets on sale
3:30-5:00 PM - Plenary Session: Nature is the Gold Standard -Building Biology - Bobby Ilg, Ilg and Ilg Architects and Interior Design - Building Biology design philosophy and examples from Bobby's Architecture practice in Ottawa 5:00 -11:00 pm BaleHeart Bar opens with organic wines and craft beers and ales. 6:00 pm Dinner - Raffle tickets on sale.
5:00 -11:00 pm BaleHeart Bar opens with organic wines and craft beers and ales.
6:00 pm Dinner - Raffle tickets on sale.
7:30 pm Slide Show of Recent Natural & Bale Buildings "5x5" Slide Show- photos and stories from over a dozen contributors (send your five photos to ckeetch@webhart.net before March 20) 8:30 pm Socializing and musical mayhem. Bring your instrument and join the Jam Session! 11:00 pm Last call at the bar.
7:30 pm Slide Show of Recent Natural & Bale Buildings
"5x5" Slide Show- photos and stories from over a dozen contributors (send your five photos to ckeetch@webhart.net before March 20)
8:30 pm Socializing and musical mayhem. Bring your instrument and join the Jam Session!
11:00 pm Last call at the bar.
Sunday
8:00 am - Breakfast 9:00 am - Morning Ceremony and EnviroNative Training Initiative Presentation with Becky Big Canoe, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation 9:30 am Ontario Natural Building Coalition Annual General Meeting, ONBC Board 10:30-12:00 AM - Plenary Session - Rotary Hall Healthy Materials - Labels, MSDS research and experience in the field with Chris Magwood (Endeavour Centre) and Melanie Scott (Evolve Builders)
with Chris Magwood (Endeavour Centre) and Melanie Scott (Evolve Builders)
12:00 Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:15 Break Out Sessions Rotary Hall - The Future of Paint is found in the Past, Part One - John and Michael Sinclair Learning Centre - Low Carbon/Energy Foundations - Joshua Thorton, Deirdre McGahern, Tim Krahn Dining Hall - Attendee Selected Session 2:15- 3:15pm Break Out Sessions Rotary Hall - The Future of Paint is found in the Past, Part Two - John and Michael Sinclair, Deirdre McGahern Learning Centre - Breaking Down Healthy Materials in an attempt at a Zero Toxin Renovation - Shane MacInnes Dining Hall - Attendee Selected Session 3:30 PM - Fun-Raising Raffle Draw - ONBC Board Members 4:00 PM - Closing Remarks and Safe Travels
Rotary Hall - The Future of Paint is found in the Past, Part One - John and Michael Sinclair
Learning Centre - Low Carbon/Energy Foundations - Joshua Thorton, Deirdre McGahern, Tim Krahn
Dining Hall - Attendee Selected Session
2:15- 3:15pm Break Out Sessions
Rotary Hall - The Future of Paint is found in the Past, Part Two - John and Michael Sinclair, Deirdre McGahern
Learning Centre - Breaking Down Healthy Materials in an attempt at a Zero Toxin Renovation - Shane MacInnes
PLEASE NOTE: Registering early, helps the kitchen staff plan our delicious meals!
Members will receive member pricing by logging in with your email address and password using the two boxes at the top of every page of this website.
Non-members can obtain member pricing, by becoming a new member (starts at $25) before registering.
Display Tables
There will be opportunity for free display tables (2’ – 4’ space only) for our Professional Members as well as presentation boards of current work to display.
Also, if you have a current straw bale or natural building you would like to show in our slide show, please send 2 – 5 pictures to Cheryl Keetch by March 20. 613-633-3557
Please contact us if you would like to become a sponsor of this year's conference.
