• Overview
• Registration

• Botanical Art
• Custom Courses
• Edible Gardening
• Edwards Lectures
• Floral Design
• Gardening
• Garden Tours
• Garden Travel
• Hands-on in the Gardens
• Health & Wellness
• Instructor Bios
• Special Events
• Straw-bale
• Style Series 2008
• Toronto Walking Tours

Partnership
Programs

• Ryerson University
  at TBG
• TBG at George Brown College
• Second Base Youth Shelter Training Program

JUST ADDED! Earth Building Workshop
Demonstrations and Hands-on Workshop
Lecture: Fri., May 2, 7 to 9 p.m.
Workshop: Sat.& Sun., May 3 & 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Two-thirds of the world's population inhabits buildings made of earth. In North America we've ignored this valuable building material at a great cost to the environment and our own health. But it's not too late to discover how earth can be an important part of our buildings.

This earth building workshop will introduce participants to some of the many practical and feasible ways in which the dirt beneath our feet can be used as a building material. Get hands-on experience with earthen plasters, earthen floors and countertops, cob, compressed earth blocks and earthbag construction as we explore the wide range of options to create durable, beautiful, long-lasting structural and finishing elements in a home.

Once you've been introduced to earthen construction methods, you will be amazed at the simplicity and common-sense involved in turning dirt into buildings and building finishes.

This workshop is facilitated by Chris Magwood and Jen Feigin, who have a wide range of experience with all of the earthen building techniques used in this workshop. Chris teaches the Sustainable Building Design and Construction program at Fleming College and Jen runs her own building design and construction company.

Breakfast refreshments, lunch, afternoon snacks and beverages are included in the course fee.

Lecture Only [PG08W02-EL]
Public $15 / $10 Members

Lecture & Workshop [PG08W02-E]
Public $250 / Members $225

Special rate for TBG Straw-bale Workshop $185
(participants from April 12 & 13, 2008)

Sustainable Building: Straw-baling and
Renewable Energy
[PG08W01] Chris Magwood
This is a fantastic opportunity to discover what straw-baling is all about. If you’re thinking of building your own straw-bale structure or just want to know what all the hype is about, join us for this lively and informative presentation. Chris Magwood and his team have been building straw-bale structures for eight years and have over 60 residences, studios and other assorted buildings to their credit. Straw-bale homes offer many economic benefits – they are less expensive to build, maintain, heat and cool (insulation values of R-40 to R-45) in our challenging climate. Aesthetically beautiful, these homes range from the simple to the luxurious. Chris will dispel the myths about straw-bale building, having proved its diversity, sustainability and endurance in our modern world. Renewable energy, water and waste systems and other aspects of sustainable building design will be addressed.
Friday, April 11, 7 to 9 p.m.
Public $15 / Members $10
Students with ID $10

Participants registered in the workshop attend this lecture at no additional cost.

Straw-bale Garden Shed Workshop:
A Practical How-To
[PG08W02] Chris Magwood
Looking to build your own unique garden shed? Curious about the application of sustainable building methods? In this two-day hands-on workshop (plus the Friday evening lecture) you will learn
all the theory, techniques and skills that will enable you to plan and build straw-bale structures. Participants will help construct a small straw-bale garden shed in the TBG Demonstration Courtyard gaining the practical skills that can be applied to a variety of building designs. From laying foundations, to building and plastering straw-bale walls, to electrical and solar energy systems, you’ll learn the process from start to finish.

Homes and buildings that are built with straw-bale walls, in combination with conventional building methods, have proven to be very strong, durable, extremely economical to heat (with a high R-value), cool in the summer, acoustically quiet, aesthetically appealing, ecologically friendly and very fast and easy to construct! The workshop begins Friday evening with a lecture and overview of straw-bale building and design and includes breakfast refreshments and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Suitable for all levels of experience, from the complete novice to professional builders interested in joining the world of sustainable building design.
Friday, April 11, 7 to 9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday,
April 12 - 13, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Public $250 / Members $200
FULL (Waiting List Only)

The TBG’s straw-bale garden shed will be the first registered straw-bale structure in Toronto.