A workshop and residency program
A space for sacred bathing
10 days of making with meditation and mountain ceremony
In many cultures, the origins of bathing are both ritualistic and spiritual. The Bath House will explore creating an elemental building for bathing and ceremony that welcomes in the surrounding nature, earth, air, fire and water.
Creating a special space for ceremonial bathing on the land of Altan Tepe.
The workshop will include learning techniques in traditional carpentry weaving and stone masonry with a team of wonderful crafts people.
Taking part in this workshop will be an experience of being held in the abundance of an ecosystem, filling the heart and hands with nourishment and inspiration.
The experience will include evening circles for music and conversations and shared nourishing organic meals prepared as The Suns Table.
How we journey
The journey of workshop begins with time on the land, tuning in and aligning with its qualities and rhythms. This process will lead into discussions on geometry, design and 7 days of hands on carpentry, stone or weaving work based on your individual preference.
During these 7 days the frame of the building will be created.
Mountain ceremony
The frame will be taken to the mountain and reassembled as part of a ceremony to bless the space. Here we will spend time collectively in ceremony with the dark skies on the mountain. Embraced by earth, cosmology and myth, inviting a contemplative encounter with form, material and story.
Once back on the land, the frame will be assembled in situ and the first fires will be lit within it.
Making will then continue for the days that follow.
Hosts and guides
SASA Works,
Craig Bamford is architect, designer, and craftsman, raised in Kenya and based in London. His multimedia practice is united by an overarching belief in creating works that are an extension of the natural world – acting as the link between people and the earth with making as a spiritual pursuit. Previous projects include The Moon House, The Teahouse, and The Artists House for the Cold Press and Alchemy and Form at Blue Mountain School
SASA Works was founded by Craig Bamford, a practice led together with Işık Sayarer, fusing traditional craftsmanship, artistry and architecture to create spiritual, elemental spaces and objects. Alongside SASA’s architectural and artistic projects, an experiential strand brings its philosophy to Altan Tepe, a nest in rural Portugal. There, SASA hosts offerings and experiences connecting craft, architecture and elemental practices.
Isik Sayarer is an artist working with place through myth and storytelling. This storytelling informs her process of design and material practice. Using stories that shape ceremonial encounters and journeys. For this experience Isik will hold the house, taking care of daily domestic rituals in an off grid place, preparing meals, stories and ceremonial qualities of our time together.
Toby Poolman trained as a furniture maker at Bucks College, High Wycombe, before going on to achieve his MFA in Fine Art at Bath Spa University, where he pursued his interest in constructing large-scale installation and sculpture. Since then, Toby has worked on a wide variety of wood and metal-based projects as a project manager and freelance maker.He was a co-founder of Blackhorse Workshop, one of London’s leading shared makerspaces, where he played a key role in delivering some of their most ambitious and large-scale projects to date.
Chris Gabe is a carpenter and architectural designer. His work moves between construction, craft and collaboration, creating spaces and places that nurture communities, environments and the materials that hold them.
Sara Kelly is a Textile Artist and Educator. Her work explores craft, community, and storytelling, using colour, texture, and traditional techniques. Her textile work has been exhibited internationally, and she has collaborated with institutions, artists, and community groups on both public and private commissions. Sara is training as a birth doula, exploring ways to integrate textiles into birth work. Through her work, she aims to celebrate the rich history of textiles while pushing its boundaries in new and unexpected ways.
Anthony Uusher is a lover of soil and nourishment and prepares meals and edible experiences that will deeply nourish our time at Altan Tepe. Anthony will hold the house for our time together preparing meals, collecting water from the mountain springs.
Accommodation and experience
Camping in shared bell tents amongst the many fruit trees, olives, rocks, and dark skies. Simple showers, outdoor kitchen. Expect to be immersed in the elements and wild simple beauty. You will be nourished by organic food, spring water and other offerings from the land
You would also be welcome to bring your own tent
Dates
Arrivals Afternoon Tuesday 26th May
Departures Morning Friday 5th June
Flights to Lisbon or Porto with onward travel by bus or train to Castelo Branco
Prices
10 days of teaching accommodation and organic food from the land and surrounding small farms
£1746 full price
£1345 early bird before 26th February
£987 Concession price
To sign up contact: info@sasaworks.co.uk
Limited places available. Be in touch if you require a payment plan to attend
A donation from the above will be given to support the Fundraiser of The Rural School of Arts