Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
34
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Three years ago, I acquired a picturesque plot of land in Dereköy, a charming village near Aydin, featuring an established olive grove. As a fine artist (painter, sculptor, and author of a book on artist paint making), I embarked on a sustainable living project.
I lovingly restored a 200-year-old Turkish mud house, preserving its historical character. Currently, I'm constructing a new home using eco-friendly materials like wood, straw bale, and lime plaster. The floors will be made from natural materials like mud and cow manure, and the surrounding wall will be built using the ancient Rammed Earth technique, similar to the Great Wall of China. Cement is entirely avoided in our building process.
I've already completed a workshop using these sustainable methods and plan to build an art studio soon. My project has attracted nearly 200 Workawayers, and I aim to complete everything within the next year with their valuable assistance.
We warmly welcome anyone interested in joining us in creating something truly magical in Dereköy. Once completed, I will offer classes in drawing, painting, paint making, sculpting, and pottery. We also keep bees and train interested individuals in beekeeping. Additionally, we will establish an aquaponics system to grow organic vegetables. Our small farm will be home to a donkey, goats, and chickens.
This project provides an opportunity for those seeking a sustainable lifestyle to learn by doing. By joining us, you'll contribute to this exciting eco-journey, share in the experience, and have a wonderful time.
I am a member of the European Straw building Association and the School of Natural Building in the UK, set up by Barbara Jones who is the world renown author of books covering strawbale building.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Books
Videography
Technology
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Farming
Culture
Charity work
Writing
Plant care
Photography
Music
History
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Blogging
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Outdoor activities
Team sports
Nature
Fitness
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers will learn about architecture, sustainable building practices and culture, and languages. In the future once all the construction work is completed, I will be teaching art, pottery, bee keeping, animal husbandry, environmental sustainability living whilst having loads of fun
Help
All students are welcome, from architecture, arts, historians, crafts, carpentry, veterinarians, linguists (Turkish, English, and Afrikaans is spoken by the hosts), if you have any other skills please enquire.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Turkish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Various types of accommodation anre available on the project site. There are 2 double rooms available with 2 toilets and showers. In good weather additional accommodation will be provided in the form of a 4man tent.
What else ...
We are 25 km from the ancient city of Ephesus and 8km from the ancient city of Magnesia. The Aegean Sea is only an 26 km away from Dereköy, where unspoilt beaches will welcome you. Izmir International airport is less than an hour away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
No size limit, any campervan is acceptable
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (17)
This was my first workaway experience. I decided to work at Hermann and Tanju’s house because I thought that I would be able to learn about architectures, how to use tools, and communications. However, I learned much more things from this experience. I met wonderful people from Canada and England and I could communicate while… read more
There was a different job almost every day, from clay to stone and woodwork. We always received great guidance and were given a lot of freedom while working.
Even after work, we had a well-equipped workshop with lots of tools and plenty of wood and other materials at our disposal and we had the… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
This was my first workaway experience. I decided to work at Hermann and Tanju’s house because I thought that I would be able to learn about architectures, how to use tools, and communications. However, I learned much more things from this experience. I met wonderful people from Canada and England and I could communicate while… read more
There was a different job almost every day, from clay to stone and woodwork. We always received great guidance and were given a lot of freedom while working.
Even after work, we had a well-equipped workshop with lots of tools and plenty of wood and other materials at our disposal and we had the… read more
From the very beginning, Dana was deeply engaged in the project, showcasing… read more
Thank you Herman and Tanju for everything, we wish you all the best and hope to come back one day :).
Herman is a passionate and very interesting host. He welcomed me very well, in an organized way, and was very generous. His project is very rich and interesting. I carried out a wide variety of tasks in a pleasant environment. The village is charming, in the heart of the olive groves, and its… read more
The project is very unique and shows his creative vision...he is appreciative of… read more
