Endorsements

“If you have an interest in learning about sustainable building I would absolutely recommend the Endeavour Centre.  I took a previous course with Chris Magwood and found that within a very short period of time I was able to learn the necessary skills to start my own business in sustainable building construction.  I felt the course was very well balanced between class time and time on the building site.  We were very effectively able to immediately apply the theory we learned to a real building project. I am extremely happy with my new career and see a huge opportunity in the burgeoning field of green building.”

-Ian Weir, P.Eng, LEED AP
NatureBuilt Wall Systems
www.naturebuiltwall.com

“With infectious enthusiasm Chris Magwood provides the freedom to experiment, the space to err and ultimately, the tools to succeed.  Novice builders will enjoy an unpressured environment while experienced builders will find new application for their existing skills. “

-Ben Polley, Founder
Evolve Builders Group Inc & Harvest Homes
www.evolvebuilders.ca

“Jen and Chris are the two hardest working and most dynamic instructors I know. When you put those two qualities together, and then times them by two people, you get a constant stream of new ideas, new techniques and better ways of building that they are both passionate about sharing. I’ve learned a lot from them, and to date I’ve only hired their students for full-time positions.”

-Deirdre McGahern
Straworks Inc.

“Chris Magwood has a gift of being a natural teacher. His approach encourages learning and self-discovery through guided but not spoon-fed hands-on activities. The more energy, thoughtfulness and passion you bring to the workshop, the more you will learn. You will be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them, which is one of the best ways to learn. Working with natural building materials is as much an art as a science. You’ll learn to use all of your senses in the workshops and programs here.”

-David Elfstrom, P.Eng
Elfstrom Engineering
www.elfstromengineering.com 

“Chris Magwood teaches you that anything is possible.  His approach to construction gave me the confidence I needed to succeed in running my own business ethically, efficiently and professionally.”

-Leslie Doyle, GRP, LEED AP.
Restoration Gardens Inc.
www.restorationgardens.ca

“I applaud all the incredible work and mentoring that Jen Feigin and Chris Magwood have passed on to an entire generation of sustainable builders in Canada. I have been mentored through training courses and construction sites in Vermont, British Colombia, Ontario and as far as South East India. Chris and Jen are the the people I most highly recommend learning from to excel in your projects, whether you’re a prospective owner-builder, a emerging builder or advanced in your trade. There’s always more to learn from these two brilliant mentors, so soak it up! I learned way more than how to build a straw bale wall, I was trained in good ecological design, project management and tricks of the sustainable trades. I always seek out the best trainers and builders to learn from so I employ good practice from the get go. I am so grateful I had the privilege to learn from Jen and Chris for 4 months. I’d take more courses from them if I didn’t already have a sustainable building business starting up in British Columbia.”

-Erik Bowden
Island Village Builders, Victoria BC

“I was privileged with the opportunity to work along side Chris Magwood as a student in 2008.  He instructed with great care and passion and it showed through his course delivery, long evaluation responses and commitment to students. He is able to teach in a way that is theorized yet practical through the use of detailed examples and hands on classroom/fieldwork. After completing his course, I felt confident enough to start my own business I continue to successfully run. I strongly recommend taking his courses over others because of his level of expertise in the field, diverse array of teaching methods and lively, encouraging presentations.”

-Christine Caracciolo
D.I.D, Intern ARIDO, LEED AP
EcoCentrix Design
www.ecocentrixdesign.ca

“If you’re looking to learn everything you ever wanted to know about sustainable and natural building, don’t go to Architecture school! Chris Magwood and Jen Feigin can teach you everything from planning, designing and organizing an entire construction project to jumping in mud puddles and smearing plaster on straw bales with your bare hands. They’ll even teach you how to think about sustainability in ways that probably hadn’t occurred to you before. An unregrettable experience!!!”

-Kate Alvo
Le Chantier du Bonheur
Conseils, Design, Planning et Rénovations Écologiques
www.lechantierdubonheur.com

“Chris and Jen bring a wealth of knowledge and experience about sustainable construction to the table.  Their teaching style is comfortable and informal, encouraging students to question, explore, create and revel in the pure enjoyment of loving and believing in what you do.  It’s hard not to get caught up in their enthusiasm.  I learned more in the 5 months I spent with Chris than the 4 years I spent in College.”

-Christine Johnston CET
C&D Draft and Design Services
chris.cdserves@gmail.com

“As designers and builders we must constantly seek new information, expanding knowledge and skills. Through Chris Magwood and Jen Feigin’s expertise I have come to understand the versatility of many natural materials, the abundance of alternatives to typical mechanical systems and the importance of a considerately run build. Learning from Chris and Jen has been an experience of great discovery, tremendous satisfaction in my life and all-in-everyday a very, very good time!”

-Melanie Martin
Flow Environments
http://flowenvironments.ca

“Two of the most knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate teachers I’ve had the pleasure to learn from. A once in a lifetime learning experience!”

-Mark Berman

“I am, as always, super impressed with how you continually make an effort to connect and support so many years of students.”
-Jeremy Pastic

“I learned a great deal from Chris Magwood and Jen Feigin. Their teaching is dynamic and empowering. They have a broad knowledge base to draw upon and complementary styles of delivery. They make thoughtful decisions about the projects that they take on and the programs that they develop. They also happen to be very kind and fun people to spend time with.”

-Dave Conroy
Renewable energy installer with Flanagan and Sun
www.flanaganandsun.com

“With Chris and Jen you will experience the most comprehensive hands-on approach to sustainable design and renewable energy systems in the country.  Working with them has been one of the most rewarding experiences to date”.

-Lisa Malarz

“I learned more from Chris and Jen in the 5 months I spent with them than I could have expected. They are a truly dynamic duo, and are both bright, hard-working, fun, and inspirational individuals. They highly exceeded my expectations as teachers and as mentors, and I would not hesitate to work with them again.”

-Jamee Desimone

“Ten years ago, Chris Magwood and his partners taught me to become their competition.  What greater endorsement (or thanks) can be offered than that! “

-Ben Polley
Founder
Evolve Builders Group Inc & Harvest Homes
www.evolvebuilders.ca