In 2014 I got in touch with natural building in Peru where I signed up for a natural building course. I learned about earth bag construction, adobe bricks, earthen plasters with leaf fibers and wattle and daub wall systems. I especially enjoyed the hands-on learning, teamwork, and how building engaged my whole body and senses. It struck me that such high-performing buildings could be created with simple natural materials and it made me curious about how such techniques can be used on a bigger scale and in a modern context.

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A couple years later I decided to take a deep plunge into natural building; I quit my job as an environmental non-profit coordinator and enrolled in the intensive learning trajectory of Community Rebuilds to gain craftsmanship and skill. In the period between 2017 until 2019 I build several strawbale houses for Community Rebuilds and acquired expertise in various conventional and natural building techniques. In a way natural building felt like coming home to myself, to a place where my unique gifts find expression.

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Back in the Netherlands I continued as a self-employed natural builder and broadened my skillset to include other building techniques like hempcrete.  On the side I also started working as a PV-installer focussing on large scale commercial projects ranging from 200 to 2000 panels. As a forewomen I have successfully led various PV-installation teams. I enjoy task coordination, overseeing quality, keeping overview and organizing a job site as they come natural to me. I also love the challenge of creating the most efficient workflow. Through this position I gained much experience with managing large deliveries, assisting crane operators and reporting to clients, contractors and inspections services. Still perhaps the most valueble thing I can offer is a bright positive and cooperative attitude, regardless of the weather conditions or setbacks.

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