Buildings & Accommodations

Overview
ZigBone Farm Retreat provides naturally built, light-filled, artistic spaces for people to gather, celebrate, teach, and learn. The 100-acre farm - a series of mountainside pastures segregated by old stone hedgerows - grows sheep, goats, and vegetables sustainably.

Zigbone Farm Retreat, available for weddings, family reunions, retreats, workshops, and other gatherings, consists of three buildings: ZigBone Eco-Lodge, Event Hall, and Springhouse (a.k.a. Bridal Cabin). The buildings were designed by internationally renowned natural building architect Sigi Koko, and were constructed with craft timber framing using salvaged and local natural materials, such as re-purposed old barn beams and wood siding, straw bales for insulation, and clay plaster hand-made from the farm’s earth and hand-applied.

Seven geothermal wells, in tandem with super-insulated strawbale walls, provide energy efficient heating and cooling; a solar array offsets all electricity use; a state-of-the-art septic system protects the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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ZigBone Eco-Lodge

ZigBone Eco-Lodge, also known as the Three Little Pigs Lodge, was renovated with one-third straw, one-third “sticks,” and one-third bricks. The straw section is the newest, made of straw bale insulation covered with clay plaster. The “sticks” section a historic, two-story log cabin, a big surprise discovered during demolition and now the lodge’s proud centerpiece. The brick section, appended to the log cabin in the 1880s, is made from brick baked on the farm. To create the tendons and ligaments necessary to connect these thirds together, the crew dismantled a dilapidated barn from near Harrisburg, PA to use for beams, more old brick, and barn siding. Two living roofs cover the outdoor walkway and the front porch. The Lodge sleeps 23 people.

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Springhouse (a.k.a. Bridal Cabin)

The Springhouse sits over the spring that provides water to the retreat complex. It has been completely rebuilt as an English-style cottage with old timber beams, cathedral ceilings, and straw bale insulation covered with clay and lime plasters. The cabin is handicapped accessible, and provides sleeping accommodations for up to three people.

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Event Hall

.The Event Hall is a great place for large group meetings, dancing, yoga, and banquets. Appended to the Event Hall is a large, timber-framed outdoor pavilion for outdoor gatherings. The Event Hall accommodates up to 150 people with the pavilion.