Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to share some exciting plans for early next year that are going to help shape the future of Happy Castle and our journey toward building a sustainable, off-grid community. These next steps are all about diving deeper into hands-on learning, connecting with inspiring individuals, and laying the groundwork for our ambitious Phase One goals.
Helping a Friend Build Their Dome in Arizona
This January, I’ll be heading to Sierra Vista, Arizona, to help a friend I met at a workshop last October with their dome home project. It’s incredibly fulfilling to contribute to someone else’s dream while gaining more hands-on experience myself. Rich talked about buying a parcel out there in Sierra Vista to hone our skills and I'm excited for how quick things are moving for him! This kind of collaboration embodies the spirit of community we’re building at Happy Castle. Plus, I’m a firm believer in putting good karma out into the world—being the kind of person I’ll need when it’s my turn to call for help.
An Incredible Workshop in Kanab, Utah
From late April to early May, I’ll be heading to Kanab, Utah, for a workshop that I’m particularly excited about. This event is a collaborative effort hosted by some of the most influential names in the Earthbag building community: Mojave Center, Tiny Shiny Home, and Curvatecture. Each of these groups brings unparalleled expertise to the table. Mojave Center (https://www.mojavecenter.org/) has already taught me so much in previous workshops, Tiny Shiny Home is a YouTube channel I’ve been following for years and admire deeply, and Curvatecture (https://www.curvatecture.com/) is a go-to resource for innovative design and architecture in Earthbag building.
The chance to work alongside and learn from all these experts at once is a dream come true. This workshop is going to be packed with insights and techniques that will directly influence the way we approach building at Happy Castle and answer some more questions for us. Superadobe Earthbag Domes are a cornerstone of our vision, and I want to make sure I’m as prepared as possible to lead our own projects and teach others when the time comes.
The Road to Happy Castle’s Dome School
These experiences are stepping stones toward an even bigger goal: establishing our very own Dome School and workshop program at Happy Castle. The Dome School will not only help us share our knowledge with others who are passionate about sustainable living and community building but will also play a key role in supporting the early development of our eco-village. By teaching workshops onsite, we’ll generate income and labor—both of which are essential in the startup phase. Everyone who attends one of our dome-building workshops will not only earn a voucher for a weeklong vacation in one of our completed Domes, but also earn a free ticket to our next Art Festival!
Looking forward, we envision Happy Castle as a thriving community with dozens of villagers living and working onsite. The Dome School will be an integral part of that vision, acting as a hub for learning, collaboration, and growth. And who knows? Maybe a few workshop participants will decide to join the cooperative and help build Happy Castle with us.
Breaking Ground and Building Together
We're planning to officially break ground on our first dome at Happy Castle in Fall 2025—or maybe even sooner, depending on how things unfold! In the meantime, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones at these upcoming builds. If you’re planning to attend the Kanab workshop or have your own dome-building experiences to share, I’d love to connect.
Together, we can turn these dreams into reality—one dome at a time. Be sure to follow along with our journey and check out our plans!
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Thomas Loveheart
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