About James Thomson

It would be easy enough to say that I’m a “Builder” or a “teacher” or more accurately a “teacher of building.” But Natural Building is about so much more than construction techniques; it is a movement, a philosophy, and a lifestyle. It is about making fundamental changes in not only what we build houses out of, but how we feel about housing. It is about going against what the culture tells you you should build and figuring out what you really want to build. It is about living more simply and more fully. I feel lucky to have found the movement and to be a part of it, and for the opportunity to introduce others to the skills and philosophy of Natural Building.

I grew up in a conventional brick townhouse in Boston, MA. I graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio with a degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies. Both fields of study instilled in me a love of and concern for the natural world. Upon graduation I worked in the environmental education field, teaching groups of children and adults about science, natural history and ecology. Though I enjoyed this work, I ultimately became frustrated that it didn’t lead to any tangible result or product. After a while I started to wonder what I was actually doing. Giving people a positive experience in the out-of-doors is a noble goal, but for a practical, hands-on person like myself, it ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied.

Somewhere along the line somebody told me about cob and Natural Building. It sounded interesting, and I bought a book: Dan Chiras’ “The Natural House.” I was instantly captivated, and vowed to learn more. I decided to take a cob workshop in Baja, Mexico. At the workshop I met Coenraad, who was looking for someone to help him out for the following summer. We reached an agreement and I moved out to Oregon three months later. I’ve been covered in mud ever since!

Over the past few years I have been involved in the planning and teaching of more than 30 Natural Building workshops in the US and Central America. I love teaching workshops because they give people the tools and the inspiration to start making changes in their lives, to start living in the way they have always imagined possible but never knew how to achieve. Almost without exception, people leave Natural Building workshops full of ideas and enthusiasm for their future.

I am particularly interested in international projects, especially those in Central and South America. As the wealthiest country in the world, I believe we have a responsibility to not only help those who are not as well off, but also to encourage them not to make the same mistakes we have made. In many parts of the world, traditional (and natural) building practices are giving way to concrete blocks and stud-frame walls. It is my hope that we can re-energize the use of more traditional building techniques around the world.

The Natural Building movement is a rapidly growing and evolving one. Nearly every day I learn of an interesting new technique or project. It is heartening to see such interest in something that I believe really can change the world for the better, and I hope to be able to continue to help the movement expand and improve.

You can reach james at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it