Intro to Natural Plasters - Online

This 4-week online course covers the fundamentals of finishing interior exterior walls. (masonry as well non-masonry/frame/drywall constructions) with natural plasters and paints. We focus on mixing and applying earthen and lime plasters as well as clay and lime/casein paints.

Who is it for?

This introduction is suitable for DIYers, natural building enthusiasts, adobe homeowners, and aspiring builders, and a great foundation for more advanced study in earthen construction.

Prerequisites:

None

Workload:

4 weeks, 6-8 hours per week

Instruction Type:

This is a virtual class held using an online classroom platform hosting reading materials, assignments, podcasts, videos and a discussion board. Instruction is asynchronous with new material introduced on Mondays, and students can participate whenever their schedule allows.

Course Content:

• Relevant reading material on the week’s topic
• Podcast interviews with natural plaster experts from the field
• Video overviews of the week’s project/plan drawings
• Step-by-step, hands-on project videos to get you working in the field
• An integrated discussion forum which can be used for Q&A sessions between the instructor and course participants.

Course Objectives:

Module 1

• Discuss safety in earthen construction.
• Gain an understanding of how earth and lime have been used as building materials in the past - worldwide and in California.
• Gain an understanding of the life cycle of earth and lime building materials.
• Gain an understanding of the basic properties of earth and lime as finishing materials.
• Gain an understanding of how natural walls function and the role that natural/breathable plasters play in natural wall performance.
• Learn how to prep different walls types and substrates for accepting earthen and lime plasters.
• Learn how to locate clay, lime and aggregates for use in earthen and lime plasters.

Module 2

• Learn how to make a ¼” soil screen for prepping soils and aggregates for use in natural plaster work.
• Learn how to prep clay, lime, straw and aggregates and test their suitability for use in earthen and lime plasters and paints.
• Learn starting point recipes for mixing your own base and leveling coat earthen plasters.
• Gain an understanding of how to mix materials for earthen and lime plasters by hand using muck buckets and heavy-duty paddle mixers.
• Obtain an overview of common tools used for applying, leveling and finishing earthen and lime plasters.
• Learn how to apply earthen plaster base and leveling coats to walls using a bucket scoop and trowel.
• Learn how to level/plumb base and leveling earthen plaster coats with a skimming blade and trowel.
• Learn how to prep a base/leveling earthen plaster coat to facilitate finish coat adhesion.

Module 3

• Learn starting point recipes for mixing your own finish coat earthen plasters.
• Learn how to apply earthen plaster finish coats to walls using a hawk and trowel.
• Learn how to apply earthen plaster finish coats to inside and outside corners using a hawk and trowel.
• Learn how to level/plumb earthen plaster finish coats using a skimming blade.
• Learn how to achieve a smooth and even finish plaster surface using a sponge float and re-troweling technique.
• Learn about the advantages of finishing interior earthen plasters with aliz (clay paint).
• Learn how mix, apply and finish a typical New Mexican aliz (clay paint).

Module 4

• Learn starting point recipes for mixing your own finish coat lime plasters.
• Learn about lime safety and job site precautions.
• Learn how to prepare Chemstar Type S Lime for use in lime finish plasters.
• Learn how to mix and apply a finish coat lime plaster.
• Learn how to finish the surface of a lime plaster coat using a sponge and wooden float technique.
• Learn how to prepare and apply a lime/casein paint to your finish lime plaster finish coat.
• Learn how to make casein and mix your own lime/casein paints.

Evaluation Methods:

• Graded Hands-On Project #1 - Collect and Test a Local Soil Sample
• Graded Hands-On Project #2 - Make ¼” Soil Screen + Prepare Two Plaster Test
• Graded Hands-On Project #3 – Plaster Your Test Substrates with an Earthen Finish Coats + Experiment with Clay and Lime/Casein Paint Finishes.
• Graded Hands-On Project #4 – Plaster Your Test Substrates with Earthen and Lime Base/Leveling Coat

Location:

Online

Instructors:

Kurt Gardella

Kurt holds a Certificate in Adobe Construction from Northern New Mexico College. He is also certified as a Specialist for Building with Earth by the Dachverband Lehm (German Association for Building with Earth) and the Handwerkskammer Ulm (Ulm Chamber of Trades and Crafts).

Questions:

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us mud@adobeisnotsoftware.org

Fine Print:

Construction is inherently dangerous, and participants are expected to be partners in ensuring their own safety. You may be asked to sign an acknowledgement of this in advance of class participation.

Classes may not be held in the event of sufficient registrations to cover operating costs - adobeisnotsoftware reserves the right to cancel undersubscribed classes and events with at least 7 days prior notice.

For individuals who find they may not be able to participate in a class or event for which they are registered, adobeisnotsoftware will offer a full refund if notified at least one week in advance. Cancellations within 7 days of the event are non-refundable.