How the earthen building movement of Argentina started:

2003: Kleiwerks International was invited to teach a two-week earthen building workshop with people from eight countries and the local community. This workshop was the first of its kind. We helped build La Escuelita, a Waldorf Kindergarten in El Bolson, Patagonia, Argentina. The core team included: Max Edleson, Carlos Straub, Jorge Belanko and KI’s team, Janell Kapoor and Lydia Dolman. 2004-2005: Next came a 12-Week Natural Building & Permaculture Practicum. This was an opportunity for our local collaborators and a number of alumni to play a lead role. The core team included: Carlos Straub, Jorge Belanko, Blanca Rosa, Kate Bloom, Micah Whitman, Diego Ruiz, Nathalia Hermida, Miguel Elliott and KI’s team, Janell Kapoor, Sarah Brooks and Meka Bunch. Participants joined from five countries. Together, we built a bakery that supported the kindergarten.

2006: We led a 6-week training to build the first earthen building at Yanantin, an educational center in San Luis. Our team was: Janell Kapoor, Meka Bunch, KI alumni Paulina Avila and Eugenio, along with KI alumni and founders, Diego and Nathalia. From there, the movement grew, and grew, and GREW. Here is how it started.