Cal-Earth also offers the possibility of a 12 week long-term apprenticeship course (a 4 week long program is also available, see bottom of page for details) The long-term apprenticeship program at Cal-Earth is an immersion opportunity. The program is developed to offer greater understanding of Superadobe work through in-depth training.

Benefits: The long-term apprenticeship enables a candidate to undergo a succession of at least 2 intensive workshops including teaching and instruction opportunities during those workshops, as well as much more hands-on building and exposure to instructors. In addition, the long-term program allows time for relationships to form between the apprentice and Cal Earth and for career opportunities to develop as a result of this relationship. (i.e. design work, teaching workshops in the US and abroad). This program is ideal for students who are able to put in the time and effort to fully immerse themselves in each aspect of Superadobe building.

The long term apprenticeship program is geared more to those who might like to make a career out of this work or who might like to teach and train others in sustainable or "green building". Additionally, the program will prepare you to lead a larger and more complex project-perhaps for a client or community. Space in the long term program is limited to 4-6 students per term. Please apply as early as possible so our small staff can have ample time to review your application and go through the interview process.

Program Overview
While each season is unique based on the needs and on-going projects at Cal-Earth, the long-term program typically includes hands-on dome and vault construction. The program is broken down into three main phases. The 12 week program begins with a 4 day intensive workshop, followed by approximately 3-4 weeks of Superadobe fundamentals and the construction of a dome through completion. The design phase and vault construction is the last part of the program and is informed by the cumulative knowledge gained during the first 6 weeks. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn about many aspects of both planning and building processes including:

Day to Day Schedule:

The schedule is 6 days a week and includes days dedicated to research and development, construction and maintenance of Superadobe structures on Cal-Earth site, personal Superadobe projects arranged with instructors, and general tasks to help with the upkeep of Cal-Earth campus. In addition to laying bag, the long-term apprenticeship program offers the opportunity to learn many other building skills as they arise during on-site project days.

Accommodations
Housing accommodation for the long-term apprentices is included in the tuition. The student housing facility includes a small single bedroom per student with bedding and a desk, plus a shared bathroom, common area and shared kitchen. The common areas will be shared with up to three other students. Students will "camp" on site in the emergency shelter domes for the first workshop. (For more information on the workshops, click here.) After successful completion of the first workshop, they will move into the long term student housing for the duration of their stay. Breakfast will be provided during the workshops only; all other meals during the long term stay are the responsibility of the student.

One Month Extended Program

The extended program is intended to provide a deeper understanding of the topics covered in the one-week workshop and provides an opportunity for further interaction with instructors and long-term apprentices. This program is ideal for students who are interested in extending their stay past the workshop, but are not able to remain for the full Three Month Long-Term Program.

Dates and Length of Stay
The One Month Extended Workshop is 4 weeks and begins with a workshop. The extended program is typically only available in February, June, and September, and only at the discretion of our Site Director, Ian Lodge.

Workshop dates can be found on our home page.

Accommodations
One month students generally stay in the emergency shelter sleeping pods for the entire month and must bring their own bedding. These are empty shell structures with no services, comparable to Superadobe tents. Breakfast will be provided during both workshops; all other meals are the responsibility of the student. Food can be stored in the community refrigerator. There will be a community kitchen and bathroom available to extended workshop students.

Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for the extended program is $2,700. This includes the workshop and joining the long term apprentices for the first 3 weeks of their program which covers superadobe fundamentals and dome construction. (does not include vault).

How to Apply
1) Fill out our application. Indicate in your essay that you would like to be interviewed to stay for the one-month extended program.

2) Make a $400 deposit payment.

3) Once these items are received, we will contact you confirming your reserved spot in the workshop only. Students will be accepted into the long term program after the interview process is complete. All students must be interviewed before they are accepted into any long term programs.

Acceptance will be based on spaces available and the interview.

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Superadobe technology was designed and developed by architect Nader Khalili and Cal-Earth Institute, and engineered by P.J. Vittore. Superadobe is a patented system (U.S. patent #5,934,027) freely put at the service of humanity and the environment. Licensing is required for commercial use.