Building With Adobe: A Two Part Earthen Bench Construction Series

We've been making earthen adobe bricks at free workshops, but now what to do with them? Build, of course! Go deeper into the process at this two-part Earthen Bench Making Workshop series on May 24 and June 8 — as part of the ongoing Post Fire series at Arlington Garden!

Led by Ricky Martin and Lynn Fang of SoilWise and Altadena-based artist Ching Ching Cheng, you’ll learn the ancient and sustainable art of natural earthen construction.

• On Saturday 5/24 from 10am-3pm, we will learn the basics of bench construction as we use the handmade sun-dried adobe bricks as well as upcycled materials to create the bench form and then cover the form in a base coat of earthen plaster we make together onsite.

• On Sunday 6/8 from 10am-3pm, we will mix and apply a smooth fine earthen plaster with natural weatherproofing and then learn mosaic techniques to add broken historic tiles to the bench which have been generously contributed by an Altadena homeowner after being rescued by Save the Tiles following the Eaton Fire.

Can't make both days? You may register for one or both workshops!

What You’ll Learn:

• The basics of natural, fire-resistant, and earthquake-resilient building techniques
  
• How to build a bench form using natural and upcycled materials
  
• How to mix and apply earthen plaster using just clay, sand, straw, and water
  
• Construction techniques such as building an arch from adobe bricks for stabilization
  

• Real-world insight into climate-resilient architecture included in CA's building codes

Whether you're a curious beginner or an earth-building enthusiast, you'll experience the creative and practical magic of cob while helping build a functional, beautiful bench in the garden.

Transparency Pricing:

Let’s build something lasting—together.Support community, sustainability, and art in action.

While the first two all-ages workshops were free and subsidized by adapting pre-existing grants, the next two skills building workshops are not funded by any outside sources and were developed in direct response to community interest following the Eaton Fire.

The ticket cost reflects the costs of materials, design, preparation, hosting, and facilitating these two workshops (about $2500, or $1250 each workshop) and supports this sustainable community programming.

We have priced these at the following levels to accomodate a range of income levels, circumstances and abilities to pay in as a sustainable reciprocal model where all payments contribute to the total cost. Please evaluate your current capacity to pay when selecting.*

• 8 available at $45/per day
• 6 available at $60/per day
• 2 available at $75/per day
• 2 available at $90/per day
• 4 available at $110/per day
• 1 available at $125/per day

Registration will close once the workshops are at a capacity of 20 participants. When a higher priced ticket is purchased, it will open more space at the lower priced tiers. If you are interested in sponsoring a select number of tickets or the series, please reach out to info@arlingtongardenpasadena.org.

A limited number of work-trade spaces are also available to cover one or both workshops are available with volunteer hours on Friday 5/23, Saturday 5/24, and/or Sunday 6/8. Please contact info@arlingtongardenpasadena.org to inquire.

We welcome all ages, but this component of the series is geared towards adults and is most suitable for ages 13 and up. No charge for participants under age 18, however, a paid parent or guardian is required present.

Photo from Cob Building for All Ages Brick Making Workshop on 4/19/2025