Building Cob Walls
Sculptural Cob & Furniture
Natural Plaster / Lime Plaster
A Simple Poured Earthen Floor
$379 – 30 day advance price.
$599 – Couples 30 day advance,
Or Later…
$479 includes registration for five
days, camping, breakfast & lunch

BUILDING COB WALLS
During this part of the workshop we will learn how to build cob walls, and ‘learn by doing’ as we:

 - Choose materials and mix cob
 - Build w/ foot mixed & tractor cob
 - Trim & shape walls using a cob saw
 - Build and set lintels in cob over windows
 - Bury roof anchors & build cob up to beams

We will cover just about every aspect of building cob walls including, site selection and passive solar design, building your home on a solid foundation, sourcing materials for a good cob mix, setting windows and doors, and placing anchors in cob walls for the roof.

SCULPTURAL COB
During this part of the workshop we will learn how to sculpt and trim, as well as use cob to build furniture, including building a couch, a bench for a breakfast nook, & ‘learn by doing’ as we:

- Mix corbel cob and cantilever furniture seats
- Create sculptures in the walls
- Build window sills

NATURAL PLASTERS
Working with natural plasters is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of creating an earthen structure; the dessert after the main course of building with cob. We will explore and compare a variety of recipes.

LIME PLASTERS AND PAINTS
We will consider the advantages and challenges of using lime, and will work with natural mineral pigments to create various colors & effects.

EARTHEN FLOOR
As a special treat, we will combine pouring a natural earthen floor on the final day of the workshop. We will learn how to prepare materials, prep the building for the pouring the floor including setting up the frame, and see the final step to building with earth.

Contact: Diane Jennings
dianejennings@disputantacob.com
(606) 256-8954

This post was submitted by Diane Jennings.

Experience the full moon in a high desert setting overlooking the Taos valley while learning all you ever wanted to know about clay plasters and paints, sculpting, casein washes and fresco, plus a review of wall building options, restoration techniques, and the laying of an adobe floor finish coat.

Camping and all meals will be provided. Wood-fired hot tub, optional…

Free textbook, “Clay Culture: Plasters, Paints and Preservation” can be shipped ahead of time.

$375 for 4 days of instruction, camping and meals. Early bird discount ($325) if paid by June 10.
Register »

We will install a beautiful and durable adobe floor during our second weekend workshop to build “Querencia”, a strawbale/cob artist studio at Taproot Farm. The earthen floor will be beautiful and serve as a large thermal mass for the passive solar design. Querencia is a whimsical, earth-friendly oasis designed to nurture the inner “creative”.

Adobe Floor Workshop Announcement-pdf.pdf (203 KB)

This post was submitted by Beth and Tim Reese.

This workshop is a great introduction to earthen constructions. It demonstrates natural building techniques that can be used to transform your world. Locally sourced earth has been used for millennia to house humanity in healthy, effective, long lasting and beautiful structures. During this intensive workshop, we will focus on building with cob, lime and earthen plastering and natural floors. Covering topics such as design, foundation, drainage, natural floors and finishes, green roof construction e.t.c., we will familiarize with the fundamental principles of natural building, while acquiring the basic skills required for anyone to start his own building. Learn the magic behind the theory of clay through hands-on experience. You will find space for fun and creativity and expect a workout for the body and mind in temporary community!

This post was submitted by alex christakis.

Pouring the Floor
Come learn how to pour an adobe floor in a cob building (begun last Spring). We will cover the mixing technique as well as techniques for application. The subfloor was poured in June, and has been drying since, so the hands-on portion of the workshop will cover the final two layers. A presentation will be given about preservation techniques that will later be used to make the floor more durable (oils and waxes).

This post was submitted by Elizabeth Edmiston.

Earthen floors are beautiful, non-toxic, durable, and can be installed almost anywhere. Whether you’re a home-owner or a contractor, this course will teach you what you need to know to get started.

This post was submitted by TerraTecture Institute.

Learn about all the layers of an earthen floor, and how to apply them. Students will get hands-on experience in laying the first two (of three) layers of the floor – how to make the mix, and how to pour/level it.

Because the sub-floor then needs to dry for a number of weeks, we will not be laying the finish layer. Instead, a photo presentation will cover how to lay the finish floor layers. We will look into the pros and cons of an earthen floor, as it compares to other floor systems.

Workshop will include both information sessions and hands-on sessions on our current project: Building Sacred Space (a small building for spiritual work and meditation).

Weekend Workshop Schedule
7:00pm to 8:30pm Friday
9:00am to 4:00pm Satuday (lunch provided)
9:00am to 3:30pm Sunday (lunch provided)

This post was submitted by Elizabeth Edmiston.