Join us for a hands-on introduction to Cob and Clay Plaster. These are two great ways to use earth (specifically clay subsoil) in construction. Earthen construction has been around for thousands of years, and in many different forms across the globe. There are many examples of earthen buildings still in use today that are many centuries old!
We'll start by foot-mixing cob, and then applying it. Then we'll switch gears to mixing and applying clay plaster. It's interesting to experience one right after the other, because you'll see that they both utilize the same set of "ingredients": clay soil, aggregate, and straw. However, they are processed and applied differently, because they serve different functions in a building.
Cob is also known as "monolithic adobe." With it, you can create a wall that is load-bearing, fireproof, rodent-proof, and with incredible thermal mass (which helps with temperature regulation). Cob can be built free-form, or in a formwork. It is a uniquely sculptable building material - you can shape walls into a curve, carve alcoves, and add relief work directly onto the wall. There is a cob addendum in the building codes now, so there is now the potential to have a legal cob residence.
Clay Plasters can be applied to a multitude of natural wall subtrates (cob, straw bale, slip-straw, hempcrete, wattle and daub, etc...). They can also be used on drywall, wooden lath, and other more conventional substrates. These plasters can be very decorative and aesthetically-pleasing, help regulate humidity, and are easy to repair. When done right, they provide a very strong wall surface.
There will be lots of hands-on experience in a short amount of time, and plenty of time throughout for questions!
All materials are included.
This workshop is eligible for use with a season pass.
Youth under 18 may attend free with an adult registered for the same workshop (1 youth per adult).
Early-bird pricing ($55) is available through July 4. After that, the cost is $75.