ORÍGENS - Escola Taller de Bioconstrucció

Natural building training in Girona

ORÍGENS is a natural building workshop school in Les Planes d'Hostoles, Girona. It teaches traditional and sustainable construction techniques using materials such as earth, straw, wood, and stone. Its offerings include focused courses, customized training for organizations and groups, and activities for young people and children through its “Aborígens” program.

Training areas

The school offers courses in several specialties, each coordinated by a lead instructor:

• Wood, straw, Esmolats, stoves, and arches: Joan Pascual (phone: 690 733 527; joanpascual@escolaorigens.com).
• Dry stone, earth, and masonry: Xavier Ventura (phone: 633 492 979; xavierventura@escolaorigens.com).
• Aborígens, recreation, and natural structures: Sheila Cobos (phone: 616 285 977; aborigens@escolaorigens.com).
• Finishes: Martí Ferrer (phone: 611 833 350; martiferrer@escolaorigens.com).

Course topics include masonry for natural building, plant structures, thermal-mass stoves, Esmolats, wood, straw, dry stone, lime plaster, earth, and Catalan vaulting.

Programs for young people and children

Under the name “Aborígens,” the school offers day programs (Casal Arrela't, Casal d'Estiu, and Casal d'Hivern) and camps for young people, with a hands-on, engaging approach to natural building.

Customized training

ORÍGENS designs training programs around the needs of organizations and groups, with an inclusive approach to natural building.

Practical information

Most courses do not require previous experience. The school offers discounts for students, organization members, and early registrations, and allows installment payments in some cases. The general minimum age is 18, although some options are available for teens. Lodging and meals are not included, but the school provides information about nearby options and has an equipped kitchen for students.

Location and contact

Address: C/ La Roureda, 5–7, 17172 Les Planes d'Hostoles, Girona.
Email: hola@escolaorigens.com
Phone: +34 611 833 350
Office hours: Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Thursday and Saturday, 3–8 p.m.