All About Adobe - Workshop

All About Adobe - Workshop

October 6-8, 2023 | Taos, New Mexico

Learn how to make adobe bricks, mix and apply base layer and finish earthen adobe plaster, and explore natural pigments to create your own custom clay paint sample at our upcoming in-person workshop this fall in beautiful Taos, New Mexico! This project will include the exterior coat of adobe on an owner-built adobe brick house. Learning how to apply earthen plaster is a key skill for anyone wanting to build their own natural home or add natural finishes to an existing home. Plus it’s fun, rewarding, and totally non-toxic!

Under the guidance of the gifted natural builder and plasterer, Alice Ko, you will:

• Craft Adobe Bricks: From materials to mixing, you'll learn the essentials.
• Explore Earthen Plaster: Discover the science behind earthen plaster and its unique properties.
• Perfect the Mix: Get hands-on with different mixing techniques and natural additives.
• Experiment with Different Application Techniques: Experience the joy of plastering and refining your skills.
• Apply Final Touches: Learn about finishing techniques like sponging, burnishing, and alis (paintable clay).

The Schedule:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6

The workshop will begin Friday Evening on Alice's land, located near the historic Village of Arroyo Seco. You'll enjoy a meal, insightful discussions about earthen construction, and mingle with like-minded individuals, including Eco Build Lab's founders, Ashton Wolfe and Kirsten Jacobsen.

4:30 - 5:30 - Arrival / Registration / Mingle

5:30 - 7:30 - Dinner (Provided)

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

Arrive back at Alice’s land on Saturday morning for a full day of getting acquainted with natural materials, making adobe bricks and plastering with earth. You will learn how to use high clay-content dirt along with sand and straw for different applications. You will harvest and sift these materials, learn various recipes for different uses, make adobe bricks, apply earthen base plaster by hand, and apply finish earthen plaster using trowels. Lunch and water will be provided.

8:45am - 9:00 am: Arrival

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Discussing the properties of different natural materials.

9:30am - 9:45am: Worksite safety

9:45 am - 10:00 am: Stretching / Warm up with a certified yoga instructor

10:00 am -11:00 am: Harvest, sift and mix

11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Making adobe bricks! Including mixing and forming.

12:30 pm - 1:15 pm: Lunch (Provided)

1:15 pm - 1:45 pm - Discussion on different earthen plaster mixes and how to create: base plaster, finish plaster, and additives you can use to make the plasters more durable. We will also cover various mixes for filling in holes and building up/sculpting.

1:45 pm - 2:00 pm: Learn how to make wheat paste.

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Divide into groups (one group will plaster exposed brick with hands and the other group will apply finish plaster with trowels), rotating halfway.

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm- End of Day Clean Up

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8

On Sunday you will continue plastering on an exposed brick adobe wall by hand, as well as an exterior wall with existing base plaster using trowels. Discussions will be held on how to use these materials to create polished earthen floors and how to finish walls with alise (a clay paint that can be pigmented), expanding your knowledge of these versatile, natural materials. You will also learn how to apply these finishes to various natural and synthetic substrates (like drywall and cement board) and will create your own wall sample tiles to bring home with you. Lunch and water will be provided.

8:45AM - 9:00am: Arrival

9:00 - 9:15 - Stretching / Warm up with a certified yoga instructor

9:15 am - 11:15 am: Continue with base layer and finish plaster practice.

11:15 - 12:00 - Discuss how to use these same materials to create adobe floors, and how to finish the walls with finer natural materials with paintable (pigmented) clay. How to apply these materials over various substrates (both natural and synthetic surfaces - like drywall)

12:00 - 12:45: LUNCH (Provided)

12:45 - 1:30: Mix alis

1:30 - 2:30: Apply alis to sample tiles, play with pigments, and paint on.

2:30 - 3:00: Clean up

3:00 - 3:30: Final Q&A & goodbyes.

Come get in the mud with us!

We have a few FREE camping spots available, but they're going quickly.

Reach out to Ashton at ashton@ecolivingmatrix.com to secure your spot on Alice's land!

Available for Workshop Participants only.

Early Birds Catch More... Savings!

Secure your spot before September 17th to enjoy the Early Bird rate of just $295.

Reserve with a $100 deposit and embark on a journey that harmonizes with nature.

Regular Registration After September 17th: $345.