Natural Building and Plasters Intensive #1

DESCRIPTION

This 7 day intensive workshop will introduce students to the theory and practice of building with clay; using adobes, cob and wattle and daub. We will also spend ample time and energy learning and applying natural plasters including the water resistant and luscious traditional Moroccan lime plaster, Tadelakt.

At the end of this course students will understand the roles of each of the ingredients involved in natural earthen mixtures both for plasters and for building. This key understanding will allow students to apply this knowledge when building for themselves or in other situations, empowering students to go on and build successfully with natural materials.

This class will be perfect for people looking for an introduction to natural building or for people who already have some plastering or building experience and would like to learn some new techniques, tricks or finishes.

Course Outline

Day 1

• Introduction to natural building

• How to assess your soils & mix

• Clay base coat, learn how to level earthen walls

Day 2

• Wall systems theory and introduction

• Building with Adobe, Cob & Wattle and Daub

• Lime base coat, learn how to prepare your walls for lime finishes

Day 3

• Introduction to earthen floors

• Tour of the Ranch property and structures

Day 4

• Rest, waterfall, river, hike, chocolate tour

Day 5

• Shelter and siting theory

• Designing your home for any climate

• Foundations theory and introduction

• Clay finish coat, learn our first clay plaster finish

Day 6

• Tadelakt, ancient Moroccan water resistant finish plaster

• Finish lime plaster, learn a simple and beautiful way to finish your walls

Day 7

• Finish earthen floors

• Clay carving, learn the artistic side of clay plasters

• Fresco application, learn to paint on lime finishes

• Debrief

instructor(s)/teaching organization bio(s)

Robin Nunes
Robin fell in love with mud building while taking a course from Llanto Evans and Linda Smiley in the Pacific Northwest in 2000.  Since that time the love affair has blossomed and she has been knee deep building with earth ever since.  Whether she’s building a cob oven, a cob house, wattle and daub walls, adobe showers, earthen floors or plastering, she finds joy in working with her hands, feet, and body using natural materials.  She also finds inspiration in cooking wholesome local food for all of her friends and family, practicing yoga on and off the mat, living simply and close to nature, and sharing her desire for a more sustainable and just world for all beings.  She looks forward to the opportunity to share her jungle home and her knowledge with you.

Tim O’Hara
Tim is an educator and builder with an array of interests and experiences related to living sustainably.  He started Rancho Mastatal with his partner and fellow instructor Robin Nunes in 2001 and has been a part of the Ranch’s building team for the last 2 decades.  Tim enjoys working with wood, doing tree work, designing simple furniture and working with mud.  After the work days he loves to move his body by playing soccer, ultimate frisbee and volleyball at the local pitch and by going to local swimming holes with his dog Lola.  Tim and Robin have a 14-year old bilingual daughter who was born in Costa Rica and have been an integral part of a robust sustainability movement in and around Mastatal since they moved to Costa Rica from the US.  Tim is bilingual and a Costa Rican citizen.

course start and ARRIVAl dates

The class begins at 7.30 a.m. on March 17.  The night before the class begins, March 16, is included in the cost of the class.  You must arrive before 6.30 pm the night before. We will not be able to accommodate you after this time.

course end and departure dates

The last day of the class is March 23.  The night of March 23 is included in the cost of the class.

COST

• US$950

These prices include lodging, all meals, course instruction and full access to Rancho Mastatal and its private wildlife refuge.

To pay any remaining balance go to our Payment page for more information and options.

LANGUAGE

This class will be taught in English, though the instructors are fluent in Spanish .

ACCOMMODATIONS

All food and lodging is included in the cost of  the course.   Students will stay in the Ranch bunkhouse with options for upgrades.  We provide high quality mattresses, linens and blankets.  Please see our Accommodations page for more information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please see our cancellation policy here.

GETTING TO RANCHO MASTATAL

Please see our Directions page for detailed information on how to get to Rancho Mastatal.