NATURAL BUILDING FESTIVAL 2023
16.08.2023 - 19.08.2023
Overview
Natural Building Festival 2023 (16-19 Aug)
Natural Building Festival is coming again, this time as an international one!
Themes: construction, finish and art.
Practical workshops, lectures, consultations, Green Forum, children’s area and much more.
The event takes place in the Mooste manor complex. The activities of Natural Building Festival take place in Competence Center for Ecological Building – Eestimaaehitus and Green Forum in Mooste Manor Folk House.
Natural Building with Marko Kikas
During the practical training sessions of the Natural Building Festival, this time we will focus on two construction technologies:
Light earth – insulation material made of clay slip and organic and/or mineral additives. The mixture is gently tamped using a formwork in layers of 10-15 cm between the framework or previously prepared and dried blocks are laid.
Hempcrete – insulation material made of a mixture of hydrated lime and hemp shives. The mixture is gently tamped using a formwork in layers of 10-15 cm between the framework, previously prepared and dried blocks are laid or the wall is sprayed.
During the workshop, sample walls will be prepared for display in the exhibition room of the Eestimaaehitus building.
Marko Kikas
Marko Kikas is the founder and CEO of Saviukumaja OÜ. Saviukumaja is an Estonian company with a great mission, which develops and produces world-class natural building and finishing materials under the brand name UKU Pure Earth.
When Marko founded his company in 2006, he made mixes only for the earth buildings that he renovated himself in Southern Estonia. Over the years, he has visited more than twenty countries and studied and researched their traditions of using natural materials. Today, UKU Pure Earth products are exported to more than 30 countries.
He is inspired by nature and the people with whom he creates products from nature. His new home was completed last year, with both light earth and hempcrete techniques used in the construction of the exterior and interior walls. He now kindly shares his experiences and skills with the participants of the Nature Building Festival.
Decorative techniques with Guy Valentine
Using different natural mixtures, shades and techniques, you can finish entire wall, ceiling and floor surfaces or add personality and decorative elements to already finished surfaces.
This time, together with Guy, we will focus on lime-based mixtures, because the finished group work remains open to weather conditions. Participants can test and get to know materials and techniques on smaller surfaces to begin with, but as a joint effort we will realize something much bigger.
The Mooste Manor complex consists mainly of powerful stone buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, a few “legacies” of the Soviet era have also gotten lost among them. One of them is the body of the silo tower, which underwent sanitary repair last year, and whose outer wall is like a canvas, begging for some colors and patterns.
Guy Valentine
Guy Valentine has been creating natural surface finishes since 2010. He prefers to work with clay, lime and tadelakt. Guy is based in London and works internationally (Hong Kong, Belgium, UAE, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Qatar, Nigeria, Bahrain, Denmark, Italy, Austria, Spain, Crete, Nigeria etc).
He has been collaborating with many internationally renowned design and architecture companies such as Snøhetta (Norway), Lambs and Lions (Berlin), Neri&Hu (Shanghai), Thomas Heatherwick and Andy Sturgeon (UK).
Key achievements and partnerships: Gold medal – Andy Sturgeon’s Mind Garden, Chelsea Flower Show 2022; Surface Design Award (Best Retail Interior) 2019 London; Hattusa project, design by Inan Gokcek – A’DESIGN AWARD WINNER, Interior Space and Exhibition Design Category, 2018.
Natural finishes with Saulius Jackevičius
Saulius Jackevičius focuses on three topics during the practical trainings of the Nature Building Festival:
Luxurious finish with lime fine finish plaster – Marmorino and other lime fine finish plasters. Various application techniques and tools. Surface treatment with soap and lime water, surface protection with wax.
Art on the clay floor – demo of the application of the finishing layer and polishing of the clay floor, surface treatment with various oils, polishing with wax, applying images to the clay floor.
Traditional and historical natural paints – use of paints, decorative techniques, modern whitewash.
Saulius Jackevičius
Saulius Jackevičius is from Lithuania and his friendship with paints and finishes started back in 1995 and continues to this day.
For the last 15 years he has produced and worked only with clay, lime and other natural materials. He is the founder of Saulius Natural Paints, and Molio Asla, a clay floor application company. He performs finishing works and teaches it to others.
Saulius has developed modern clay floor installation technology. In addition, he is the author of an experimental clay therapy program.
Natural design with Andrus Needo and Hannah Segerkrantz
In addition to the usual construction and finishing, it is also possible to create various design elements using clay, lime and natural fibers.
While Marko Kikas teaches at the Natural Building Festival how to use hempcrete as an insulation material, Hannah Segerkrantz has chosen this material to make design elements. Her distinct and environmentally friendly creations are born under the brand name kiukivi (fiber stone), and she kindly shares her knowledge and skills with participants in the festival’s workshops.
Objects created of hempcrete are very suitable for display in their original form, but they can also be finished with natural plasters. This is where the skills of plaster master Andrus Needo come into play, who teaches how to finish natural design elements.
Andrus Needo and Hannah Segerkrantz
Andrus Needo is the founder, CEO, craftsman, trainer and restorer of Krohwin OÜ. He graduated from Pallas University of Applied Sciences in sculpture, and has been familiar with clay for almost twenty years. The material, which can be shaped endlessly, sparked a curiosity to discover the hidden potential in natural finishes. Andrus is especially fascinated by projects where, in addition to natural plasters, artistic knowledge and innovative ideas, which have not been tried in Estonia before, can be launched.
With an interest for the relation between human and its surroundings, Hannah Segerkrantz specialises in design and material research, combining values of ecology, craftsmanship and democratic design. Her approach to research is environmental, sensitive and contextual. Whether exploring the cultural background and gestures of architectural materials, or studying the relations between objects, people and local traditions, she offers tools and means for bridging our connection with the environments we inhabit.
Clay art with Ulla Phillips
On the first day of the Natural Building Festival, Ulla, together with her helpers, realizes a previously prepared clay artwork on one of the walls of the Eestimaaehitus building.
In the following days, she will present her work and teach the participants the same techniques she has used in her artwork.
As a material, she uses a thin wood fiber board, which she finishes with various fine finish clay plasters, putties and paints. In addition, she uses various decorative techniques such as sgraffito and intarsia.
Participants can test the taught techniques on thin fiberboards and take the completed work with them if they wish.
This workshop is also suitable for children.
Ulla Phillips
Ever since she was a small child, Ulla has been passionate about colors. She wanted to become an illustrator, and this dream came true, because, among other things, she has done both graphic design and illustrations.
In 2000 she graduated from the Kupio Academy of Design with a degree in ceramic design, although even then she was more fascinated by surfaces and textures than form. In 2021, she read an article about earth building, and then everything changed. It was something new and very captivating for her, especially clay plasters.
Today Ulla lives in Nummela, Finland, and works in her upstairs studio. She has recently graduated from the Raseko Vocational School in earth building and found her true calling, creating pictures, stories and worlds, large and small, with homemade clay plasters and paints. In 2023, she founded her own company – Grrreen!
Decorative clay plaster application with Martin Hütt
Colored decorative clay plasters are an elegant way to finish any full plastering system (clay, lime, gypsum, cement). The soft and warm clay tones of the decorative plaster create a cozy environment in both historical and modern interiors.
Also the application on drywalls is more environmentally friendly and quicker than usual gypsum fillers, plasters and paint, no sanding or additional paint layer is needed.
Decorative natural additives, such as marble, straw, flax, seashell, fuchsite, crystals and precious stones, provide an opportunity to create an even more personal finish.
Martin Hütt
Martin Hütt is a the founder, CEO, trainer and plasterer of Stuko OÜ. He has long-term experience in the production and development of natural materials.
Today he is mainly devoted to fine finishing and decorative works with clay and lime plasters. His favorites include Venetian plaster and tadelakt.
On the first day of the Nature Building Festival, he teaches how to apply decorative clay plasters.
On the second and third day, he will assist Guy Valentine and advises you on the topic of natural materials and finishing if you wish.
Clay plaster stencil designs with Anvar Valge
Colored decorative clay plasters are usually used for finishing walls, ceilings, ovens and decorative elements in dry rooms indoors.
For those who want to add even more personality to their finishing surfaces, can use various decorative techniques.
In his workshops, Anvar teaches how to make stencil design with colored decorative clay plasters.
This workshop is also suitable for children.
Anvar Valge
Anvar Valge is the founder, CEO, master and trainer of A-Viimistluse OÜ. He has been engaged with interior finishing works since the mid-90s, and using natural materials since 2006, when he founded A-Viimistluse OÜ.
Anvar especially likes to work with clay and lime fine finish plasters and putties. His specialties also include the installation of tadelakt and other polished lime finishing plasters.
In addition, he prepares and finishes handmade sinks, lighting and other interior design elements on a project basis, and many stoves and fireplaces have also received a natural decorative finish under his hands.
However, Anvar’s special passion is stencil design with clay plaster, and that is exactly what he teaches to participants at the Natural Building Festival.
Consultations, house tour, children’s area
An architect, engineer, interior architect, material specialists, builders and finishers will be present at the Natural Building Festival, and will advise you on your project.
Once a day we give a tour of the Eestimaaehitus building for everyone who wants it. We will talk about the preparations and implementation of the renovation works of the building, get to know more about the solutions used and give an overview of what our organization is doing.
Children are also very welcome to the Natural Building Festival. According to the theme, they can also get their hands really clayey and let their creativity and playfulness fly.
Green forum: natural building and circular economy
Green forum in Põlva County invites you to think and discuss new and sustainable ways to build and design the living environment in a more nature-friendly way. Green forum brings internationally recognized experts to Põlva County, who share their knowledge and experience and, in cooperation with the audience, look for new ways to live in harmony with nature.
You can listen to inspiring speeches and discussion in the panel discussion, ask questions to the speakers and learn about the latest sustainable building materials. The Green Forum in Põlva County teaches how to get inspiration from nature, how to use circular economy principles in construction and how to build environmentally friendly.
The detailed schedule and speakers of the Green Forum below.
Presentations at Natural Building Festival 16-18 August
Guy Valentine
Guy Valentine is a master finisher who works with natural materials in his eponymous company, Guy Valentine Ltd. In addition to the practical training, Guy will also present his award-winning works in different countries at the Natural Building Festival.
Hannes Praks
Hannes Praks is one of the founders of the design studio kuidas.works, which investigates the technologies of earth building and the potential of construction waste, the head of the Estonian Centre for Architecture, an interior architect, a material designer, and the former head and professor of the interior design department of the Estonian Academy of Arts. At the Natural Building Festival, Hannes talks about exciting projects of kuidas.works.
Mikk Luht
Mikk Luht is a founder and board member, trainer and project manager of the Competence Center for Ecological Building – Eestimaaehitus. He manages sectoral planning, design and construction projects and represents the international brand EcoCocon in Estonia, which he also introduces at the Natural Building Festival.
Tarmo Elvisto
Tarmo Elvisto is the founder of the Information Centre for Sustainable Renovation and Majatohter, a store that sells natural and traditional building materials, restoration accessories, tools and old valuable building materials. At the Natural Building Festival, Tarmo talks about the circular management of building materials.
Ulla Phillips
Ulla Phillips is an artist who mainly uses clay materials and decorative techniques in her work. In addition to the practical training, Ulla will also present the work created on the wall of the Eestimaaehitus building during the Natural Building Festival.
Speakers at the Green Forum 19 August
Eva Truuverk
Eva Truuverk is the Head of the Board of Green Tiger Foundation and a leading advocate for environmental awareness, and her legacy continues to positively affect communities and support global activism. The theme of her presentation at the Green Forum is “Vision – where we are going”. In addition, she will lead the day and moderate the panel discussion.
Gunter Pauli
Gunter Pauli is an entrepreneur with a global reach, an innovator and a visionary of the regenerative economy, who has developed the blue economy model. He has published more than 20 books and actively participates as a lecturer at universities around the world. At the Green Forum, he presents the possibilities of the circular economy.
Mikk Luht
Mikk Luht is a founder and board member, trainer and project manager of the Competence Center for Ecological Building – Eestimaaehitus. He manages sectoral planning, design and construction projects and represents the international brand EcoCocon in Estonia. At the Green Forum, he will talk about modern ecological construction.
Pärtel-Peeter Pere
For the past ten years, Pärtel-Peeter Pere’s job has been to provide advice to the cities of the future in the Nordic countries, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Singapore and elsewhere. He is the co-founder of Future Place Leadership, a company that provides strategic advice to governments and cities. He is an urban strategist and the editor-in-chief of Green Tiger’s “Construction Roadmap 2040”, which he also presents at the Green Forum.
Natural Building Festival Support Team
Helari Sirelpuu
Helari Sirelpuu is a member and trainer of Eestimaaehitus, the founder of Wuni OÜ and a very experienced master of clay and lime plastering. Another true passion of his is the restoration of old stone masonry. At the Natural Building Festival, he supports Ulla Phillips on the installation of clay art and advises you on the topic of natural materials and stone masonry if you wish.
Inga Kärg
Inga Kärg is a civil engineer who has mainly been designing bridges for the last almost 20 years. But now she has fallen in love with natural materials and joined Eestimaaehitus to gain new experiences and find new exciting challenges. At the Natural Building Festival, she supports Marko Kikas in the “construction department” and advises you on engineering topics if you wish.
Karin Alev
Karin Alev has spent the last few years gaining experience in natural building and finishing trainings and internships. Now she helps to organize trainings and events at the Natural Building Academy herself and assists its leader, Sven Aluste, in finishing works. She is in the organizing team at the Natural Building Festival.
Malvo Tominga
Malvo Tominga is a member and trainer of Eestimaaehitus, the founder of Wanawiisi ehitus OÜ and an experienced master of clay and lime plastering. Another real passion of his is the restoration of old earth buildings. At the Natural Building Festival, he supports Marko Kikas in the “construction department” and advises you on natural materials and earth buildings if you wish.
Sven Aluste
Sven Aluste is a founder member and trainer of Eestimaaehitus, founder and trainer of the Natural Building Academy and a very experienced earth and straw builder. In addition, Sven’s passion is the reuse of old materials and reciprocal roofs. At the Natural Building Festival, he assists Saulius Jackevičius, is the organizer and advises you on the topics of earth and straw building and reusing of old materials.
Taavi Leis
Taavi Leis is a member and a trainer of Eestimaaehitus, founder of Krohvikoda OÜ and a very experienced master of clay and lime plastering. Today, he and his team mostly carry out clay and lime finishing works in Finland. At the Natural Building Festival, he assists Guy Valentine and advises you on the topic of natural materials if you wish.
Triin Pruul
Triin Pruul is a passionate experimenter with natural building materials as well as a clay therapist. She has a lot of experience in working with children, she is the mother of four herself, and it is she who, together with her helpers, takes care of the smallest visitors at the Natural Building Festival. It’s sure to be so awesome in the children’s area that we’ll probably find adults also enjoying themselves there in clay up to their ears.
| TIME | MORE DETAILED SCHEDULE TO COME |
|---|---|
| The Natural Building Festival takes place at the Competence Center for Ecological Building – Eestimaaehitus Mõisahoovi tee 5, Mooste, Põlva County, Estonia | |
| 09.30 | Gathering and registration |
| 10.00 | Opening of the festival and introduction of the agenda |
| 10.30 | Workshops, lectures, counseling, children’s area |
| 13.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 | Workshops, lectures, counseling, children’s area, house tour |
| 18.00 | End of the day |
| Evening activities | |
| The organizer has the right to change the schedule |
| 09.30 | Gathering and registration |
| 10.00 | Introduction of the agenda |
| 10.15 | Workshops, lectures, counseling, children’s area |
| 13.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 | Workshops, lectures, counseling, children’s area, house tour |
| 18.00 | End of the day |
| Evening activities | |
| The organizer has the right to change the schedule |
| 09.30 | Gathering and registration |
| 10.00 | Introduction of the agenda |
| 10.15 | Workshops, lectures, counseling, children’s area |
| 13.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.00 | Workshops, lectures, counseling, children’s area, house tour |
| 18.00 | End of day and festival workshops |
| Evening activities | |
| The organizer has the right to change the schedule |
| TIME | AGENDA |
|---|---|
| The Green Forum is moderated by Eva Truuverk. Põlvamaa Green Forum takes place in Mooste Folk Chamber, Mõisahoov tee 12, Mooste, Põlva County, Estonia. | |
| 10.30 | Arrival, registration, welcome coffee |
| 11.00 | Opening remarks and Põlva County activities in the green field: Lennart Liba (Põlva County Development Center) |
| 11.10 | Vision – where we are going: Eva Truuverk (Green Tiger Foundation) |
| 11.30 | Good examples from Põlva County entrepreneurs |
| 12.00 | Modern ecological construction: Mikk Luht (Competence Center for Ecological Building – Eestimaaehitus) |
| 12.30 | Construction Roadmap 2040: Pärtel-Peeter Pere (Green Tiger Foundation) |
| 13.00 | Lunch: pure and simple tastes of Põlva County |
| 14.00 | Opportunities of circular economy: sustainability expert Gunter Pauli |
| 15.00 | Panel discussion |
| 16.00 | Final words, summary of the forum |
| 16.30 | End of event |
| At the same time as the Green Forum, a Children’s Green Forum will be held at the Competence Center for Ecological Building, next to the Mooste Folk Chamber and outdoors. The Children’s Green Forum program is suitable for children aged 6-14. | |
| 10.40 | Drawing with charcoal, crafting, cooking and presenting stories based on Gunter Paul’s stories, building a cardboard city, movement and sports games. |
| 13.00 | Lunch with parents |
| 14.00 | Drawing with charcoal, crafting, cooking and presenting stories based on Gunter Paul’s stories, building a cardboard city, movement and sports games. |
| 16.30 | End of event |
Ticket information
Natural Building Festival Pass
You can participate with a festival pass from 16 to 18 August 2023
in practical workshops, presentations, house tours, consultations, in the children’s
area and on August 19 at the Põlvamaa Green Forum in Mooste Folk Chamber.
Festival pass: €220
Festival pass when presenting a student card: €130
*You will be redirected to the Fienta page
Natural Building Festival Family Pass
You can participate with a family pass (2 adults and children up to 14 years old)
from 16 to 18 August 2023 in practical workshops, presentations, tours, counseling,
in the children’s area and on August 19 at the Põlvamaa Green Forum in Mooste Folk Chamber.
Festival family pass: €320
*You will be redirected to the Fienta page
Day Ticket for the Natural Building Festival
With a day ticket, you can participate on August 16 or 17 or 18, 2023
in practical workshops, presentations, house tour, counseling and children’s area.
Day ticket: €100
*You will be redirected to the Fienta page
Green Forum Ticket
With the Green Forum ticket, you can listen to inspiring speeches and
panel discussion on August 19 at the Mooste Folk Chamber, ask questions
to the speakers, learn about the latest sustainable building materials and eat lunch.
At the same time as the Green Forum, a Children’s Green Forum will be held at the
Competence Center for Ecological Building, next to the Mooste Folk Chamber and outdoors.
The Children’s Green Forum program is suitable for children aged 6-14.
Green Forum ticket: €27
Children’s Green Forum ticket: €7
*You will be redirected to the Fienta page
Accommodation options
Linakoja Guest House (140 m)
The former woodworking workshop located in the manor yard has been converted into a cozy Linakoja Guest House, where simple but comfortable rooms await.
Toilets and showers are shared in the corridor.
Overnight stay with breakfast for a participant of the Natural Building Festival €25/person (3-6 people in one room).
Information and booking at info@moostemois.ee with keyword LEFE 2023.
Mooste Distillery Park House (160 m)
Guest apartment “Karmen – Maria” €155
Room “Karmen” (2 people + 2 extra beds available) €85
Room “Maria” (2 persons) €75
The rooms share toilet and shower, a common front room with a kitchenette. TV, Wifi, fridge, kettle, coffee machine.
Guest apartment “Kristiina” €135
The spacious front room of the 2-room guest apartment has a comfortable pull-out sofa and armchairs, a desk, a kitchenette, and a private toilet/shower. Through the front room you can get to a cozy bedroom for 2 people. TV, Wifi, fridge, kettle, coffee machine.
Guest rooms “Riin”, “Karin”, “Kadi”, “Käbi”
The guest rooms share toilet and bathroom. TV, Wifi, fridge, kettle, coffee machine in the spacious hall.
“Riin” (2 people + 2 extra beds available) €85
“Karin” (1-2 people, small room, toilet/shower in the room) €50
“Kadi” (1-2 people, shared toilet/shower) €50
“Käni” (4 people, shared toilet/shower) €50
Extra bed €30
Breakfast at Distillery Restaurant €10
Information and booking at info@viinavabrik.ee with keyword LEFE 2023.
Mooste Distillery (250 m)
The beautifully renovated Mooste Distillery is located right on the shore of the Mooste lake. Overnight stay with breakfast:
Suite €135 (2-room, 1 large bed, extra beds available)
Large room €95 (for 2 people, extra bed possible)
Small room €85 (for 2 people)
Large family room (4 to 12 people) €40/person
Extra bed €30
Pet €10
Information and booking at info@viinavabrik.ee with keyword LEFE 2023.
Hotel Pesa in Põlva (16 km) or Airbnb
The Hotel Pesa has a total of 30 rooms located on the second and third floors of the building.
The rooms with solid wooden furniture and natural parquet flooring have a shower, toilet, TV and WiFi. The mini-suites also have a kettle and bathrobes.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the hotel. The hotel offers direct access to the health center of the city of Põlva, where there is a swimming pool, saunas and a gym.
Information and booking broneering@kagureis.ee
Or find suitable accommodation in the area on Airbnb
Catering options
Love goes through the stomach
In the courtyard of the Eestimaaehitus building, there is a food tent where pizza is cooked in a wood-fired clay oven and other good meals are offered.
The Moisekatz cafe, located 140 m away, is open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The menu includes: home-baked pastries-pies, delicious cakes and tarts, salads and savory snacks, high-quality coffee drinks, homemade daily specials, Moisekatz Black Bread, soft ice cream for sweet tooths.
250 m away, the Mooste Distillery restaurant offers food that is mainly made from carefully selected local ingredients. The restaurant prefers naturally grown products from small producers.
But you can also bring your own food basket and have a nice picnic in Mooste manor park.
Location and how to get here
Eestimaaehitus – Competence Center for Ecological Building
The Natural Building Festival takes place in Competence Center for Ecological Building – Eestimaaehitus.
Location: Mõisahoovi tee 5, Mooste, Põlva County 64616, Estonia
Mooste Folk Chamber
Põlva County Green Forumtakes place in Mooste Folk Chamber.
Location: Mõisahoovi tee 12, Mooste, Põlva County 64616, Estonia
By bus from Tallinn Coach Station
Bus from Tallinn Coach Station to Tartu Coach Station
Bus from Tartu Coach Station to Mooste
By bus from Tallinn Airport
Bus from Tallinn Airport to Tartu Coach Station
Bus from Tartu Coach Station to Mooste
INFORMATION
Organizer: Eestimaaehitus – Competence Center for Ecological Building
Location: Mõisahoovi tee 5, Mooste Manor, 64616 Põlva County, Estonia
Language of the festival: English and Estonian (everything is not translated). The Green Forum has simultaneous translation.
Participation fee: described in ticket information section above
Safety: bring your working clothes and footwear, latex coated gloves to work with lime based materials, proper mask if you are sensitive to dust.
Information: tere@eestimaaehitus.ee +372 56 226 066
Accommodation: options are described in accommodation section above
Catering: options are described in catering section above
Other Old trainings
Clay plaster workshop for professionals 2022
Time: 22.08.2022 - 26.08.2022
Location: Competence Center for Ecological Building, Estonia
RAMMED EARTH 2019
Time: 20.05.2019 - 24.05.2019
Location: Eestimaaehitus - Competence Center for Ecological Building, Mooste, Estonia
Contact
Eestimaaehitus MTÜ
E-mail: tere@eme.ee
Phone: +372 56 226 066