11th-18th July 2026
At the ACHM Zimbabwe by Laurie Simpson
This course is designed to give you a strong foundation and the confidence to begin your journey into earth building and regenerative design. You’ll explore a range of earth building techniques, including adobe (sun-dried earth bricks), rammed earth, cob, and earthbag construction.
Through a mix of theory and hands-on experience, you’ll learn how to understand soil types and the local ecosystems that influence sustainable building practices. You’ll also discover how to design human settlements that honor the past, serve the present, and support a thriving future for all living beings.
Many modern construction materials negatively impact both the environment and human health. In contrast, earth-based building is not only healthy and incredibly comfortable, but it’s also proven to be durable over centuries—and best of all, it’s affordable and eco-friendly.
You’ll gain insight into a variety of building methods that can be adapted to different local conditions. For example, rammed earth is a widely used and standardised method across Southern Africa, making it a viable option throughout the SADC region.
This course is ideal for anyone passionate about building sustainably and looking to go beyond sustainability into truly regenerative design. It’s open to:
this includes 7 days of training with lunches and 2 tea breaks each day, 1 day will be an excursion visiting earthen structures.
Accommodation and extra meals not included there are options to suit all budgets.
Accommodation and other meals are booked separately.
Africa Centre for Holistic management (Near Victoria Falls Zimbabwe)
This is 30kms outside of Victoria falls, close to the airport and 7kms from the main Vic Falls Bulawayo road, on land that is continually regenerating due to the management and full of wildlife. There are buses that stop on the mainroad and transfers can be arranged from the airport or victoria falls.
Dates: 11th to the 18th of July 2026
For those seeking a deeper experience, there’s an option to extend your learning with an additional hands-on week from 19th to the 25th July 2026 To learn more, contact laurie@achmonline.org
I am passionate about how we can live in connection with our environment in ways that are constantly creating more life. So many of our human systems do the opposite, we extract and dominate to meet our desires and create human settlements. I am creative, with a background in fine-art and when I discovered permaculture (15 years ago) it changed everything!
I love to apply the principles of permaculture to everything I create, as this ensures that this is never at the expense of anything else, but the opposite, it creates the conditions for more life. I have13 years of experience in building with earth after reading a lot and taking a one-week natural building course, I haven’t stopped building! I built the home I have lived in with my family for the last 11 years. It’s been a journey of lessons, mistakes and deeper understanding that helped me to create a home that has been the happiest place for me and the quality of life I dreamed of, since childhood, became a reality!
I co-founded www.softfootalliance.org where I developed designs for earthen rocket-stoves and compost-toilets, amongst an array of other diverse activities to help people live in harmony with wildlife. Over the last 5 years, I have been mastering rammed earth building and teaching builders how to use it. I am now on another stage of this journey and creating something new at the Africa Centre for Holistic Management. A place deeply important to myself and my family and all of humanity! This special place shares the key to how we regenerate the earth in a time when we need all people & life to thrive. The land is home to diverse wildlife that thrives due to the management of the soil, the key to healthy ecosystems! Join me as I share what I’ve learnt about designing, building a home and lifestyle that cares for the earth. The principles can be applied wherever you live and there has never been a time where the call for change is so loud and clear.”
