[Cob] adobe and cob workshops (fwd)

[Shannon Dealy]

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Cob and Adobe Intensive, September 1 - 3, 2012.  Instructors Michael G. 
Smith and Massey Burke.  This hands-on course immerses students in two 
important forms of earthen construction, cob and adobe. Adobe, one of the 
world's oldest and most widespread building techniques, refers to the use 
of sun-dried blocks of clay soil, fiber, and sand to build up a wall. 
These blocks can be arranged in various ways for different kinds of 
structural strength in a building.  Cob, also known as monolithic adobe, 
is a combination of clay soil, straw, and sand, hand-formed in place on 
the wall while the mix is still moist and sculptable.  The two techniques 
are complementary in construction:  each expands the possibilities of the 
other.  In this course we will learn about soil evaluation for 
construction, mixing techniques and recipes, basic adobe and cob design 
and construction principles. There will be a special emphasis on 
arch-building using both formwork and corbeled techniques. The class will 
construct the side and end walls of a Nubian vault (see next course for 
more information about this structure.)  $275, or $250 if you pay in full 
by August 1.

Nubian Vault Intensive, September 17 - 21, 2012.  Instructor Stevan de la 
Rosa.  In this course students will construct a Nubian vault, an ancient 
form of adobe structure that originated in Egypt, was rediscovered and 
popularized by populist architect Hassan Fathy, and is currently enjoying 
an international revival, especially in areas with very little wood 
availability.  A Nubian vault enables the builder to create an arched 
vault (or a dome) without using any formwork, which means you can 
completely enclose a space using no wood whatsoever. This particular 
vault will be reinforced with bamboo to stabilize the adobe for the 
seismic loads of California.  In addition to basic adobe masonry and 
hands-on vault construction, this workshop will cover Nubian vault 
design, roofing/waterproofing options, arch layout and construction, 
earthen mortars and plasters.  Previous earthen construction experience 
is helpful but not required; students with no experience should consider 
attending the Cob and Adobe Intensive in August.  $500, or $450 if you 
pay in full by August 15.

Both courses:  $725, or $650 if you pay in full by August 1. These 
workshops will take place at Spreadwing Farm, an organic farm in the 
Capay Valley, about 1 hour from Sacramento or 2 hours from San Francisco. 
Meals will be all-organic, prepared mostly from our farm and other local 
farms within a few miles. Camping is available on site. For more 
information or to register, please email massey.burke at gmail.com or visit 
http://www.naturalarchitecturestudio.org/eventsworkshops/