Functional Works of Art: Ashley Lubyk and Heather Noakes Build Human Habitat From Sand, Clay and Straw

Ashley Lubyk and Heather Noakes show that creating beautiful and sustainable human habitat is possible through the passionate work of their natural building education and consulting company, Dirt Craft Natural Building. 

After attending university and pursuing work in the environmental sector and fine arts, these two decided to start a business of their own by following their budding passion for natural building, and after their first workshop on “How to Build a Cob Oven” the path forward became clear. Just a couple years later, Ashley and Heather have now lead over 25 hands on workshops on how to build cob ovens across Western Canada, as well as branched out to offer workshops on installing earthen floors, clay plasters and clay paints, cooking in cob ovens, straw-bale building and more. They also offer hands on consulting on a wide variety of hands-on natural building methods and techniques for DIY builders.

Ashley and Heather have become well known and respected for their passion of delivering high quality, well researched education, and when you take one of their workshops you can feel the true dedication. They give people the empowerment, tools, and skills they need to create healthier, more energy efficient, and more comfortable homes.

Watch as these two turn clay, sand, and straw, and into sustainable human habitat, and see how sustainability, practicality, and aesthetic design can be combined to create functional works of art with far-reaching positive effects for the builder or homeowner and their community!