Hyperadobe + Lavacrete Workshop
Learn to build Hyperadobe retaining walls with Lavacrete cladding during this 3 day workshop.
The Hyperadobe + Lavacrete Workshop will be held on our homestead from November 13-15, 2026. This long weekend event will include step-by-step details for building retaining walls with hyperadobe earthbags and then cladding them with Lavacrete - a lightweight, thermally efficient material that can be cast with miminal labor.
We'll be joined by Guru Das from Awareness Ranch and Paul Schwam, who will bring their knowledge and expertise to the project.
Keep reading for more info and what to expect...
What is Hyperadobe?
Hyperadobe earthbags use a polyethylene UV treated raschel mesh tube that can be filled with a mix of clay, sand, aggregate, and cement in any shape or length you wish.
In contrast to Superadobe earthbags, no barbed wire is required as the netted mesh allows the material from the lower layer to lock into the new layer.
This creates a much safer build site, saves time and money, and lets you build houses, sheds, retaining and decorative walls, garden beds, planters, and more with simple tools and materials.
You can watch this video to learn more.
What is Lavacrete?
Lavacrete is an under-the-radar alternative building technique that uses volcanic or scoria sand combined with portland cement, lime, and rebar to create thermally efficient, highly compressive walls that need no finishing work.
Lavacrete is beautiful, set in layers similar to rammed earth, is not prone to shrinking or cracking, and can be a cost effective option due to the scoria sand being a byproduct of screening for lava rock used in landscapes.
You can watch this video to learn more.
Who Are We?
Hi friends, we're Jonathan & Ashley from Tiny Shiny Home. Our family is building an off-grid desert homestead from the ground up, literally! We started with no construction experience, and have managed to create a solar shed office, chicken garden, composting toilet outhouse, and an outdoor shower, all using hyperadobe earthbags.
We just finished the Lavacrete Utility Lodge Workshop here on our homestead, and enjoyed working with Guru Das and Paul so much that we're getting the band back together!
Bringing in the Experts
We're excited to partner with Awareness Ranch for this project! Guru Das has been doing commercial and residential Lavacrete projects in Tucson for 5+ years, and we're looking forward to him bringing his expertise to guide us through the build process.
We're also excited to welcome Paul Schwam as part of this project - he's been integral to the development of Lavacrete for nearly 30 years, and has worked tirelessly to push the technology forward with over 25 permitted and code compliant structures to date.
Hyperadobe Retaining Walls + Lavacrete Cladding
So what are we doing? We're combining our two most popular building methods so you can get hands-on with both in a single weekend.
First we'll build a hyperadobe retaining wall around the Lavacrete Utility Lodge. Then we'll explore how to clad the organic shapes of earthbags with the form based layered structure of Lavacrete.
What We'll Cover
This workshop will focus both hyperadobe and lavacrete:
- Mixing, Laying & Compacting Hyperadobe Earthbags
- Building Forms
- Mixing, Pouring & Compacting Lavacrete
- Installing Alternative Rebar
- Combining Hyperadobe + Lavacrete
Important Details
Please read the following information carefully.
Date & Time
Nov 13-15, 2026
8:00am - 4:00pm
Location & Lodging
This will be held on our property in Cochise County, AZ. In our best efforts to keep our exact homestead location off the internets, we will be providing recommendations for overnight accommodations only to those signing up. For reference, the closest major towns are Benson & Willcox.
If flying, we're a 3 hour drive from PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor) and 1 hour from TUS (Tucson International). The closest major towns are Benson & Willcox, and there are plenty of options for staying close by:
- Hotels
- AirBNB's
- Campgrounds
- Boondocking
Camping on-site is available as well. You must be self-contained (i.e. no disposing of gray or black water on the ground). Porta-Potty will be provided. Spots may be limited.
Meals
Ashley will be preparing delicious breakfast & lunch for everyone each day :)
Additional Details
- Limited space - there will be a max of 20 people.
- Partners of 2 use the "couples" option, families of 3 or more use the new "family" option and add your family members.
- No dogs, please.
- Kids are welcome for this event.
- If rain is in the forecast we may re-schedule.
- More info will be provided after signing up.