As an essential part of natural/ecological building, plastering requires both a theoretical background and highly-skilled craftsmanship.

In this week-long workshop we will explore multiple techniques including tadelakt waterproof lime plasters, earth/straw base-coat plasters, colored finish clay plasters, clay paints, sgraffito, flooring finish, etc.

This year once more the Gündönümü dairy farm located close to Istanbul welcomes us as part of the Tezekevleri natural building project started in 2016. We will work on actual houses made out of natural materials such as straw, earth and wood.
Have a look at our work so far on Instagram: @tezekevleri

Workshop content

As a complete training focused on plastering, this workshop offers both practical and theoretical knowledge. A typical day will contain 6 hours of hands-on work in the morning and late afternoon, and 1-2 hours theoretical presentations in the afternoon. The main techniques addressed in this workshop are:

• • Soil testing
  • Interior earthen plaster
  • Tadelakt waterproof lime plaster
  • Natural stabilizers for earthen plaster
  • Exterior base coat earth/straw thick plaster
  • Clay paints
  • Decorative techniques (sgraffito)

Participants will be divided in small 3-4 persons groups learning each technique on a half day basis. This way, everyone will be able to go through each subject at his/her pace.

Presentations

In addition to the practical work and on-site information, presentations will be given on plasters-related topics and natural building in general:

• What is earth?
• How does clay work as a binder?
• How to test your soil?
• What soil for what purpose?
• Earthen plasters
• Lime plasters
• bioclimatic design
• natural building techniques
• examples of vernacular buildings