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Tadelakt plaster12/26/2023 ![]() Ryan is a modern day North American artisan who has done as much as anyone to understand and practice Tadelakt. Last year in order to begin re-establishing this knowledge base we brought in Ryan Chivers of Artesano Traditional Plasters and Liz Johndrow of Earthen Endeavors to our site, Rancho Mastatal, in Costa Rica to teach a week long workshop on lime plastering and Tadelakt. You will have to develop a region and material specific process for your own site. It is essential to trial different mixes. This is an exciting tool for all natural builders to have in their belt, but it is important to remember the climatic differences that the Moroccans faced and the centuries of perfecting this art that took place in order to produce a product that was and still is so effective. The modern renaissance of Tadelakt has been brought about by the same necessity as the ancient Moroccan builders had, protecting earthen structures from water. Its primary use was emphasized in areas that often get wet, typically bathrooms and fountains, but not excluding waterproofing entire swimming pools. it is rubbed down with soap traditionally black olive oil soap. It is then polished with a trowel and burnished with precious stones. It involves using a particularly high lime-to-aggregate ratio which is applied in multiple thin coats to a substrate, such as an earthen wall surface. Tadelakt is a technique to finish a lime plaster. This is an effective way to practice this advanced technique on a small scale. Tadelakt is tested on cob balls during a workshop. If everything is made of earth how do you have these wet areas within your house? Tadelakt provides a unique and effective solution to this challenge. Although Marrakesh receives very little rainfall, water related issues still exist, primarily from within for drinking, bathing and cleaning. As with most natural buildings, protecting them from moisture and rain is the largest challenge. ![]() This provides generous shading for the winding streets, while the large thermal mass of earth mitigates the extremes of the desert climate. The climate–appropriate buildings of Marrakesh feature huge 6ft thick earthen walls, which tower up into the relentlessly hot desert skies. Marrakesh, a wonderfully unique city that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries, provides insights and inspiration for this technique as it is re-discovered throughout the natural building community. It is specifically valued for its function of providing a water proof seal. Tadelakt is a plaster finishing technique historically used in north Africa to protect earthen structures. Few who leave the fantastic halls of the Marrakesh palaces or the beautifully reconstructed Riads will fail to notice the glimmering monolithic plaster that twinkles in the light as it seamlessly extends over these proud buildings. The art of Tadelakt has for centuries been steeped in mystic and wonder. ![]()
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