This past September in Mossyrock, Washington, 14 students joined Clay Sand Soul for a month long pallet-cob cottage build on the beautiful forested grounds of CAYA Sanctuary. Our objective was to finish a 180 sq ft structure with reciprocal roof, earthen floor, and various finish plasters with various artistic sculptural elements. We explored many concepts of conventional, natural, and alternative building such as: foundation choices, post-and-beam assembly, pallet wall framing, electrical conduit and outlet installation, window and door installation, lath and plaster walls, clay soil analysis and processing, earthen and lime plasters, reciprocal roof assembly, green roof installation, and how to manage and execute a small construction project. We gathered together for meals, council circles, morning check-ins, breathwork, and an unexpected sweat lodge ceremony, all while learning what living in community takes and feels like. We shared in successes and struggles, especially with the particularly cool fall weather, but the result was a truly unique 7-sided building with incredible artistic touches. We are so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Damian and Crystal’s property and for the commitment all our students made each day to learn and build with us. What an incredible first full cottage build as Clay Sand Soul, and we look forward to collaborating in the future with CAYA Sanctuary. Enjoy these fond memories that we tried to capture between hands full of mud.

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