Adobe Floor- finish layer
Workshop at Taproot Farm- Capon Bridge, WV
Beth and Tim Reese are hosting a hands-on adobe floor workshop on Sat. June 9, 2012
Join us for the final in a series of workshops 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”.
Taproot Farm is a 20-acre farm overlooking the Cacapon River. The “green” buildings include solar panels, geothermal heating/cooling and a living roof. Currently, at the farm, there are chickens, lambs, bees, pigs, ½ acre organic vegetable garden, orchard and a new fish pond.
When: Saturday June 9, 2012 9 a.m- 6 p.m. (with a break for lunch )
Where: Capon Bridge, WV (90 miles west of Washington, D.C)
Cost: $40 for individuals , $65 for a family (includes instruction and hands-on experience with natural building guru Sigi Koko and a healthy mid-day meal). Children are welcome (but must be well supervised- this is a working farm by a river.)
To Register: Please contact Beth Reese by email at beth.reese218@gmail.com or by phone at 304-856-1336 to confirm that there is still space in the workshop. YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND THIS EVENT! Fill out and send the Workshop Registration form with your check. Or pay by Pay Pal and get us the registration info by email (beth.reese218@gmail.com). Directions and details will be emailed prior to the workshop to those who register. See additional details about the workshop below.
DESCRIPTION:
Adobe floors are made with non-toxic, inexpensive, materials that are often dug right from the building site. The primary ingredient is clay, which binds sand and straw into a beautiful and durable floor surface. Clay is a breathable material, with the capacity to absorb excess moisture from the air and release the moisture when air is dry. Adobe floors provide excellent thermal mass for passive solar designs or radiant floor heating.
WORKSHOP FORMAT:
We will begin Saturday morning with an overview of adobe floor ingredients. We will follow with a demonstration of how to assess ingredients, mixing techniques, and installation of the floor. Everyone will be invited to get hands-on experience completing the finish layer on top of the first adobe floor layer installed in 2011. We will also demonstrate and give participants practice in floating the floor surface to a smooth finish.
WORKSHOP COVERS:
- Overview of adobe floors, including benefits and challenges
- Site tour showing what prep was completed
- Demonstration on the art of mixing adobe, including how to assess on-site materials for suitability and how to determine mixing ratio
- Demonstration of installation techniques
- Ample hands-on experience