Lisa walks through the natural light-filled kitchen in Booken House

Sustainable Build 1-Day Group Workshop

Do you dream of building an energy-efficient, eco-friendly house that truly feels like home, yet doesn’t cost millions?

It IS possible — and we can show you how! Join us at our Northern Victoria (Australia) eco-home for this deep dive one-day course, limited to 12 people. You’ll learn how to plan and design your affordable, planet-friendly home in ANY style or location. *Opens for bookings twice a year*

Join us around our dining table — bring all your questions.

The Booken In-Person Workshop is your chance to sit down with us (Lisa and Boots) for an entire day and learn face-to-face as we share must-know info about planning, designing and building your own sustainable home.

 

You’ll gain the confidence to select a site, floorplan and builder, get tips to unshackle from the bank, gain an understanding of the simple passive design behind Booken House and get feedback about your own building project.

You’ll also receive our Booken Build Planner (only available to in-person workshop attendees), AND you can wander Booken House as much as you like — we invite you to make our home yours for the day, to truly get a sense of how a low-impact house looks and feels. Tape measures welcome ;)

Imagine

if you could

Imagine

if you could

  • Gain confidence to design and build

    Forget trial and error. We’ll skill you up with everything you need to know to plan, design and build an energy-efficient, light-filled, envy-of-all-your-mates home.

  • Simplify your build or reno

    Feeling stuck, undecided or overwhelmed by all the choices? With key knowledge under your belt, you’ll feel empowered to shortcut and simplify your build or renovation process.

  • Save time and reduce stress

    The building and design industry can be oh-so-frustrating when you don’t understand the jargon. Knowing how to avoid the pitfalls saves you time, stress and lots of moola.

  • Ask someone who’s been there before

    Go behind the scenes (warts and all) on our own personal build. We’ll share details about things we found hard and would do differently next time. Bring your questions!

  • Minimise spending and reduce debt

    You CAN create an intentional, planet-friendly home that you are proud of, without the big bucks. ‘Sustainable’ doesn’t have to cost significantly more — you just need to know what to ask for.

  • Access 100% independent information

    No sponsorships, affiliates, deals, collaborations or brand ‘bonuses’. Just good old-fashioned simple science and knowledge sharing from us to you.

A group of workshop participants at the 1-day sustainable build workshop learning around the dining table in Booken House

You don’t need to be an expert to build your own affordable sustainable home

During the Booken In-Person Workshop, we share the key strategies, tools, real-life learnings and time-tested techniques we used to design and build our own much-loved earth-conscious home.

Step-by-step across six modules and workbooks, you’ll learn exactly how to do it yourself — no matter where you’re building or what style you house you want.

With the right info under your belt, you short-cut the cycle of indecision, know exactly where to start, and feel equipped to have robust convos with professionals such as builders and building designers.

  • Booken Blend sustainable build workshop participant James

    I'm now feeling inspired and like making smart decisions and incorporating passive design is achievable.

    I was stuck in the contemplation phase and felt overwhelmed by the amount of information available. This workshop was my starting point after purchasing our block of land.

    — James, Surf Coast, Victoria

  • I now feel more equipped to confidently navigate the design and build process on my terms.

    The workshop exceeded my expectations, and they were high! I have gained the skills to create a home that will hug our family and represent our values.

    — Abby, Gippsland, Victoria

 

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Take a look inside!

Take a look inside!

What’s included:

 
 
 

6 modules: Step-by-step modules guide you through the build and design process of your new home, with tips and hints every step of the way.

6 workbooks: Detailed printed workbooks allow you to quickly and easily refer back to your learnings. Plus, you get links to downloadable versions too.  

Design brief: A watertight document that helps you clearly articulate your vision, which you can then share with designers and builders, minimising miscommunication and saving you money.

Booken House wander: Make our place yours for the day and get a deep sense of how a passively designed house looks and feels. Tape measures welcome ;)

Lunch & snacks: Past workshop participant Cherie summed this up better than I ever could: “I was fed like a queen!” *That’s because you are a queen, Cherie.

 

Gain unimaginable confidence to chase down your sustainable house dreams

At the end of this workshop you will feel motivated and excited, with a clear pathway forward for house build journey. You’ll feel empowered to rock up for meetings with builders and designers, knowing exactly how to guide the conversation to ensure you get the sustainable house of your dreams — without the hefty pricetag.

 
 

MODULES

 
 

What you’ll learn

  • Module 1: Dream

    Purposeful homes are built on a strong foundation. Know where, how & why you want to create your new home and life.

    Social media and the building industry will have you believe that you need to build big, spend big, and keep up with the Joneses. You may have also been led to believe sustainable builds need complex design and the latest, greatest technology and materials.

    But it's all a farce, concocted expertly and knowingly by those who stand to gain from you. The Dream module will help you overcome this messaging, so you end up with the conscious home of your dreams without breaking the bank.

  • Module 2: Seek

    Understand building and design industry pitfalls and how to avoid them as a conscious consumer, to beat the system and save you time and money.

    The current building and design industry model is broken, and many who try to build their own dream home experience a great deal of stress and overwhelm.

    The Seek module explores the importance of being an educated consumer so you can navigate the build and design process with confidence. It highlights where to get good information and how to avoid the pitfalls of the current system to minimise stress and unshackle from the bank.

  • Module 3: Design

    How to apply smart design, simple science, and clever materials to build or renovate your dream home while maximising comfort, minimising cost and being kinder to the planet.

    It pays to improve your skills on these topics BEFORE conversing with builders, architects or a building designer. But you don’t need to be a walking encyclopedia to be an effective advocate for your future home. A little knowledge gives you the confidence to challenge ideas and fight for key features.

    The largest module, Design dives into orientation, shading, thermal mass, cross ventilation, glazing, zoning, footprint, renewable power, and affordability. Plus, you’ll create your perfect floor plan.

  • Module 4: Plan

    Understand the power of a good design brief and comprehensive budgets, and access the tools and tips to create them.

    The better you plan for your build or renovation, the fewer problems you will encounter. I estimate we saved hundreds of thousands of dollars (and years off our mortgage) due to good planning, extensive research and clear, trackable communication with our team.

    Our simple but effective design brief, comprehensive budgets, and the guts to say no (and to question everything!) were the secret sauce behind our builds, and in the Plan module, we share these tools and resources with you.

  • Module 5: Build

    A build process is only ever as good as the team you gather. Know how to choose your designer, builder and tradespeople.

    Gathering a great team is crucial to building the home you dream of, within an affordable budget.

    The Build module is where we take a look at the different types of designers and builders, the differences between each, and the pros and cons. We share tips and hints for choosing the right option and how to assemble a team that’s perfect for you.

    We also share the things we didn’t get quite right in the Booken House build, so you can learn from our mistakes!

  • Module 6: Live

    The benefits of active management and creating a home you love for life.

    Once you've built your beautiful, sustainable home, it’s important to understand how to get the most out of it. Although minimal, you must actively manage passively designed homes to reap all the rewards and be able to step into that lighter life you’ve been dreaming of.

    The Live module encourages you to think about how you can ethically furnish your house, what steps you might need to take through the seasons to manage your passive house, and ways to work on your mindset to ensure today's sustainable living goals turn into a lifetime of good choices.

  • Be part of a ripple effect of positive change

    Whether you’re building in the country or the city, in Brisbane or in Bunbury, the Booken In-Person workshop provides a clear pathway to the sustainable, climate-positive home and life you want.

    Join a workshop

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But wait, There's more!

But wait, There's more!

  • Bonus 1: Exclusive Build Planner

    People go nuts for this gorgeous planner — exclusive to in-person workshop attendees. Inside you’ll find hardcopies of all your workbooks plus the design brief. You’ll also receive links to downloadable versions of all documents.

    A woman flips through the exclusive build planner

  • Bonus 2: Floorplan sneak peek

    We’ll use the Booken House floorplan as a practical example to help you deeply understand simple passive design — and how you can pull these principles into a cohesive floorplan unique to your own needs, lifestyle and site.

    Aerial view of Booken House, a sustainable home built on passive design principles

  • Bonus 3: Private community access

    You’ll be invited to join our private Facebook group, open only to folks who’ve completed the Booken Workshop. Share ideas, ask questions and get support from like-minded home lovers who are also on the sustainable design and build journey.

    Office nook desk space inside Booken House
  • Booken Blend sustainable build workshop participant Bec

    Relaxed and informative, and empowers you to realise that everything doesn’t need to be upsized and fancy.

    We were struggling with deciding on the best layout and orientation for our site. The workshop made me feel more confident in my decisions going forward.

    — Bec, Gippsland, Victoria

  • Booken Blend sustainable build workshop participant Kaye

    "This workshop inspired me to follow my dreams of building a sustainable home."

    Lisa’s presentation skills are A1 and I now have connection with like-minded people. Thank you for a fun-filled, inspiring, knowledge-filled day!

    — Kaye, High Country, Victoria

Lisa from Booken Blend stands at the desk space in the office nook in Booken House

About your teacher: Lisa Booth

For 20+ years, I’ve championed sustainable living and energy efficiency community projects in government and private sectors.

Then, in 2016, my husband Boots and I built our own sustainably designed off-grid home from scratch — and discovered a massive information gap for ordinary folks with limited budgets who want to live more lightly at home.

I never dreamed my passion project that started here at my kitchen bench would turn into a DIY sustainable housing movement reaching a global audience.

These days, I’m on a mission to move purposeful homes into the mainstream and help everyday people build affordable, planet-friendly houses that are a joy to live in.

During this in-person workshop, you’ll sit beside me at our dining table as I distil all my years of sustainable build know-how into a straightforward, step-by-step guide for you. And Boots might even bake you scones ;)

Students are building all over the world

  • An almost-eco home at sunset on an Australian bush block built by Booken Blend sustainable home workshop participants Abby and Tom

    Leaving the city for the bush

    Amy and Tom sold their house in the city to build their purposeful dream home in the bush.

  • An empty block on Australian bushland in preparation for a new sustainable home build

    Rebuilding after bushfire

    Kaye and Rob lost their house to bushfire and rebuilt a new sustainable home that works hand-in-hand with nature.

  • A small white cottage in inner-city Victoria renovated using Booken Blend sustainable build principles

    Unshackling from the bank

    Bec threw her fancy, costly plans in the bin, and instead built a modest, sustainable home that unshackled her from the bank.

 

  • Just cannot recommend this enough. To walk around this beautiful home and be inspired, and then receive actionable, cost-effective advice — loved it!

    —Meg, Melbourne, Victoria

  • We are owner-building a home for our family in south-east Melbourne. We’re using sustainable principles learnt from Lisa and Boots and I can’t wait to see them come to life!

    — Meagan, Mornington, Victoria

We promise not to teach you how to choose the perfect shade of white.

Instead, learn practical skills to build a home that works with nature, wherever you live in the world.

 
 
 

Inside the Booken In-Person Workshop, you will get:

The inside scoop on how to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in build costs and running expenses.

A fool-proof design brief and confidence to select the right site, floor plan, designer and builder.

Real-life examples and helpful tips to unshackle from the bank sooner.

An understanding of the simple science behind Booken House and skills to apply cost-effective passive design principles to any home.

Ongoing support via the private Booken Tribe Facebook Group.

A workbook containing your step-by-step plan.

  • The Booken In-Person Workshop – For everyday folk wanting to build or renovate a home, in any style and at any location. Custom homes, volume builds or even renovating a small west-facing sh*tshack :)

Tried and tested with hundreds of students

Since 2021, we have hosted these in-person workshops here at our Booken House in Kyvalley, Victoria, teaching participants how to plan, design and build their own simple, sustainable home on a realistic budget. 

Wildly popular, the workshops attract participants from every corner of the country and sell out at lightning speed.

Past students have gone on to build sustainable homes from the Wimmera to Western Australia and beyond, creating a ripple effect of positive change across the country and the globe.

We’re so excited to be part of a growing grassroots movement that’s forever changing the way homes are designed and built.

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Let's get started

Let's get started

 

Your Investment

 

The Booken In-Person Workshop opens for bookings twice a year.

Upfront payment

One payment of $1,299 aud

Includes:

  • Group workshop face-to-face with Lisa and Boots at Booken House (Kyvalley, Northern Victoria)

  • Capped at 12 participants to ensure time and space for all your questions.

  • 6 modules and easy-to-follow workbooks

  • Comprehensive Design Brief

  • Exclusive Build Planner

  • Lunch and refreshments

  • Ongoing support via the private FB group

Frequently asked questions

 
 

  • Yes! You don’t have to like the style, layout or genre of Booken House, we simply use our home as an example to teach you how to apply smart, affordable, science-based design principles to your prefered style of build, and to any site.

  • Yes. The workshop covers how to plan your home according to your specific location and site.

  • Many of our workshop participants travel from interstate. Our home is in Kyvalley, near the small town of Kyabram in Northern Victoria, and the closest airport is Melbourne (approximately a two-hour drive).

    We are about 40km from both Shepparton and the picturesque riverside town of Echuca, which is known for its paddle steamers and lovely restaurants.

  • We like to kick off the day by 9 am sharp and wind things up by 4 pm. We have plenty of breaks throughout the day so you can wander around Booken House and make yourself at home!

  • Yes, in fact, the workshop is designed to be a practical simple introduction to good design and will equip you to have informed conversations with professionals in the building and design industry.

  • No, access to learning modules is via participation in the Booken Blend Online Workshop only.

  • The Booken Blend Workshop assists homeowners to plan an affordable sustainable build. Design is one part of the workshop, however, course contents and resources are focussed on a holistic end-to-end process from the consumers perspective.

  • No, workbooks are in pdf format for easy download.

  • In the workshop, we refer to the Booken House floor plan as a practical example of how to apply simple, inexpensive passive design principles to create an efficient, comfortable home in ANY style or location. The Booken House floor plan we refer to is, however, a very basic sketch floor plan and does not include any dimensions, specifications, materials, colours, or detail of any kind, and is 100% copyright protected (can not be reproduced in part or full). For in-depth information on the Booken House floor plan and design, you can access one of our handy design packs.

  • We generally only run a couple of in-person workshops every year, and each is limited to 12 participants - so they are very hotly contested! Pop your name on the waitlist below to be notified of ticket launches.

    We also offer the option of corporate events, mini workshops and keynote speaking on an individual basis, use the link further down the page for more info.

  • Absolutely not! The principles we teach in the Booken Workshop can be applied to any home and in any location or style.

  • Given the very limited number of spaces available for our in-person workshops, we unfortunately can’t offer refunds. However, if you do need to cancel, please get in touch — we may be able to offer you a seat for our subsequent in-person workshop. We’ll also give you access to the online version of our workshop, so you can start upskilling straight away.

  • "It’s simple, practical, engaging and really informative."

    I was feeling very green and had a fear of the unknown. Three years ago, we had architectural plans drawn up that just didn’t feel right. The workshop made me feel more confident and definitely more inspired. It's a must for anyone building—I loved it!

    — Sarah, Snowy Valley, New South Wales

  • I now feel more educated and better prepared to speak with building professionals.

    So good to see Booken House and the off-grid system in the flesh. Great notes, content and planner — absolutely amazing!

    — Melissa, Macedon Ranges, Victoria

 

  • Gain unimaginable confidence to chase down your eco-home dreams.

    Join sustainable house lovers from every corner of the country who are creating warm, light-filled homes and discovering the joy of living and thriving in a low-impact home — through the Booken In-Person Workshop.

    Join us at booken house