Bernhard Masterson Natural Building
In the 1980s I rode my unicycle to school and spent long hours in the ceramics studio and the theater. You guessed it. I didn't identify with the mainstream. These days my questioning is more focused on issues of sustainability and in particular, housing, food, transportation, and culture. I am quite confident that the lives of those who dwell in the "developed" world will change radically in the next decades, as a result of increasing energy costs, environmental degradation and toxicity, climate change, and low quality foods. To address these concerns I have made changes in my lifestyle and work to educate others about both the simple and more complex options I have found rewarding, and very often, just plain fun.
You might have guessed by now that professionally I teach natural building and contract small jobs in the Pacific Northwest. But when I am not pursuing mud, you might find me developing my urban permaculture homestead, going some place on my bike, baking bread, making art, pushing my kayak to the river, playing the ukulele (still don't fit in the main stream), or dreaming about my next boat building project.
You might have guessed by now that professionally I teach natural building and contract small jobs in the Pacific Northwest. But when I am not pursuing mud, you might find me developing my urban permaculture homestead, going some place on my bike, baking bread, making art, pushing my kayak to the river, playing the ukulele (still don't fit in the main stream), or dreaming about my next boat building project.
___________________ Resume __________________
Objective
To provide inspirational instruction that blends natural building skills, design experience, art, and environmental awareness while fostering community.
Education
Masters in Education September 2001
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
B.A., Fine Arts June 1993
Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon
Teaching and Building
Oops, looks like I disappeared into the wilderness and didn't come out. So much has happened in the last eight years! I've got this update on my list.
Complete Cob August 2011
Cob Cottage Company, Bandon, Oregon
Taught a nine day intensive workshop providing participants all the skills they need to build their own cob cottage.
Complete Cob July 2011
Cob Cottage Company, Port Townsend, Washington
Taught a nine day intensive workshop providing participants all the skills they need to build their own cob cottage.
Alternative Building Design Spring semester 2011
Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus, Portland, Oregon
Through the Building Technology and Construction program I taught the course BCT116. It covers natural building materials, techniques, and design skills in both classroom and hands-on settings.
Village Building Convergence May 2011
Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus, Portland, Oregon
Continued work in the Learning Garden with the construction of a stone retaining wall and mosaic flooring for the sculpted cob Salmon Bench.
Earthen Oven Workshop May 2011
Private residence, Portland, Oregon
Through the Urban Earth Center for Natural Building, I lead a workshop teaching the construction of an earthen oven.
Earthen Oven Workshop May 2011
Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, Oregon
Lead the horticulture club in the construction of an earthen oven.
Cob Kiva Workshop Summer 2010
Private residence, Oregon City, Oregon
Lead several workshops and workparties facilitating the construction of a backyard garden kiva.
Village Building Convergence May 2010
Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus, Portland, Oregon
Lead the community project of building a cob bench in the schools Learning Garden.
Cob Bench and Earthen Plasters July 2009
Solwest Renewable Energy Fair, John Day, Oregon
Designed and lead a workshop that built a cob bench on the Grant County Fairgrounds as part of the Solwest Fair. Also presented an afternoon workshop on materials, mixing, and application of earthen plasters.
Complete Cob August 2009
Northwest School of Natural Building, Coquille, Oregon
Taught a nine day intensive workshop providing participants all the skills they need to build their own cob cottage.
Earthen Oven Workshop May 2009
Lyle, Washington
Lead the homeowner and participants to build an oven on a permaculture homestead.
Rocket Mass Heater Workshop May 2009
George, Oregon
Guided participants and homeowner to create a cob masonry stove for home heating.
Cob Basics and Beyond October 2008
Roseburg, Oregon
Lead a four day cob workshop where we began the cob walls for a rural home.
Earthen Plaster Relief Panels Spring 2008
Walluga Middle School, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Worked with art students to create large sculpted plaster panels to hang in cafeteria.
Village Building Convergence May 2007
Portland, Oregon
Lead construction of a cob bench built by members of the Pacific Crest Community School.
Earthen Oven Workshop March 2007
Berkeley, California
Worked with students of Willard Middle School to build an earthen oven in the school garden.
Natural Plaster Workshop September 2006
Estacada, Oregon
Taught a two day hands-on course on materials, tools, and application of earthen and lime plasters.
Complete Cob August 2006
Northwest School of Natural Building, Coquille, Oregon
Taught a ten day intensive workshop providing participants all the skills they need to build their own cob cottage.
Village Building Convergence May 2006
Mount Tabor Middle School, Portland, Oregon
Lead design process and created final design for the Eagle’s Nest Bench. Lead the construction of the foundation, cob bench and canopy.
Light My Fire! Rocket Stoves and Rumford Fireplaces October 2005
Spirit Pine Ranch, Los Olivos, California
Taught three-day workshop on construction of home-built wood fired furnaces and fireplaces using cob and other materials.
Owner Builder Cob Intensive August 2005
Northwest School of Natural Building, Coquille, Oregon
Co-taught the three-week course for those aspiring to build their own cob homes. All aspects of materials, construction and design covered.
Earth Oven Workshop 2003
Private Residence, Estacada, Oregon
Co-taught a weekend workshop on how to build beautiful bread ovens of earth.
Kids and Parents Cob Workshop 2003
Northwest School of Natural Building, Coquille, Oregon
Co-taught a four-day workshop for parents and children. Activities included building model dream houses and a tiger head playhouse.
Other Experience
Cob Monster Fall 2009
City Kids Child Development Center, Portland, Oregon
Worked with children to design and build a large sculpted cob lizard play structure.
Earthen Oven November 2008
Portland, Oregon
Worked with homeowner to build an earthen oven in her backyard.
Cob Playhouse Winter 2008
Joyful Noise Child Development Center, Portland, Oregon
Built the cob walls and benches for a children’s playhouse.
Village Building Convergence 2003 and 2005
Multiple locations, Portland, Oregon
Worked as a natural builder at various sites.
Designer, sculptor, builder 2002 – 2004
Self-employed in Estacada, Oregon
Sculpted my own environmentally sensitive cottage using straw bales and earth.
Art Teacher 1999 - 2002
Kraxberger Middle School, Gladstone, Oregon
Taught a full curriculum of 2D and 3D media and techniques.
Public Art
Book Benches July 2006
Estacada Library, Estacada, Oregon
Collaborated with landscape architect Steve Shibley to design and cast a series of benches in the shape of books using concrete and cedar.
Mural of the Arts July 2001
Lincoln Hall, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
Collaborated with other artists to design and paint a mural celebrating the arts in the lobby space outside the performance hall, (80 x 10 feet.)
