Become a Workshop Sponsor
Your dream can become a reality in a hurry when you tap into Robert’s 40 years of experience in building and workshop leadership.
Sponsorship opportunities are open to all EcoNest Workshop Graduates.
Connect with Robert to discuss the project you have in mind.
Benefits:
Save money and time
Use EcoNest’s professionally equipped shop
Benefit from enthusiastic teamwork, good food, comradery, community, continued skill building
Pay it forward - you provide a learning opportunity for others
Suitable sponsorship projects:
Backyard Econest, she-shed, guest house, yoga/meditation space, office/studio, sauna, healing sanctuary
Timber frame gazebo, pavilion, garden viewing structure
Timber frame tiny home on wheels - shell only (timber frame, walls, roof)
Timber frame for a new home, addition, entryway
Your Investment:
Based on project scope and complexity
“We love Quality Craftsmanship and Econest Workshops.”
Story and testimonial from Marlys & Jens Wiegand in West Linn - Portland, Oregon:
We sponsored a natural building workshop with Robert Laporte to challenge ourselves, introduce our nephew Marc (17) to a hands-on woodworking project, and build the timber frame for a Japanese Machiai, a garden viewing structure. We named ours "Kolibri", which means hummingbird in German and many parts of Europe.
Within a five-day workshop in Ashland, we learned how to cut the timber frame with traditional hand tools and some power tools, work as a team, and be focused and patient. Robert loves to share his knowledge and is an outstanding teacher.
He also connected us with other Econest students in the Portland area to help us build a solid deck for our Machiai.
The final part was raising the Kolibri's timber frame in our backyard in just one day with a motivated group of natural builders directed by Robert. Everyone on our team had a great time.
"We highly recommend Robert's workshops if you would like to create a timber structure, a Machiai, a Backyard Nest, or an ADU.
Having part of Econest in our quiet backyard is priceless. Working with Robert is the icing on the cake! Our hearts sing whenever we walk by and look up at the Machiai we crafted together.
Building community and friendships with like-minded folks, learning and celebrating craftsmanship, and raising a structure that will still be beautiful and live on long after we are gone create ultimate satisfaction in us."
~ Marlys & Jens, December 2023
“…a structure that embodies my intention of a sacred healing space.”
I sponsored a couple of Econest classes in the building of my Temple space. It was a great opportunity to work more directly with Robert in the design, purchasing, prep and running of his class. Not only did I make new friends, have wonderful discussions, and take big steps on the build those weeks; I also had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Robert in our design sessions, and come up with a structure that embodies my intention of a sacred healing space. The cost of sponsoring was minor compared to the mentorship value I received. Truly, I could not have done such beautiful work without this support of Robert and his class of amazing students. Every time I enter the space it brings me back to the joy of reverently crafting together.
Robert has an enthusiastic joy for craft done well, for teaching and storytelling. He held a high bar on skillfulness, presence, taking care of ourselves and each other. In the course of learning I inevitably made mistakes, self-judgment came up and I was able to let go of it and love myself more. Robert holds a powerful space of love and acceptance for all beings, and thereby creates a welcoming space for students of any skill level. If this work calls you, fear not, this is a wonderful place to start.
Thank you to everyone that helped!
~ Kalle Cook, Sponsor, December 2023
