Ancient Lime & Clay Finishes in Oaxaca, MX
Ancient Lime & Clay Finishes
Learn Chukum & Tadelakt Plastering Traditions in Oaxaca, Mexico
Join Benito Steen for an immersive five-day course exploring the art and science of traditional lime and clay-based plasters. Held at Villa Agroecológica Tierra del Sol—a regenerative living and learning center just 40mins from Oaxaca City—this workshop draws from a range of global and regional plastering techniques, from the lush Yucatán’s Chukum to Morocco’s Tadelakt, and other earth and lime traditions.
Together, we’ll learn how to work with natural materials to create beautiful, durable, and meaningful finishes, grounded in cultural history and adapted for today’s contexts. Whether you’re an experienced plasterer or just beginning your journey, this course offers a deep dive into both the tactile craft and the chemistry behind these age-old techniques.
We will be covering a range of different techniques including:
- Introduction to key tools – how to use them for efficient plastering
- Traditional Earthen and Lime Basecoat Plaster – a fundamental layer that supports all other finishes. We’ll learn how to read a wall, mix for workability, and create a strong foundation.
- Lime-Clay Transitional Layers – We explore lime-clay mixtures as transitional coats between clay and pure lime finishes. Focusing on “keying”—how one layer bonds to the next—and why this transitional step is vital to durability and success in multilayer systems.
- Finish Lime Plasters – Techniques include the application of smooth and polished surfaces. We’ll take an in-depth look at the chemistry behind plasters: why they harden, how to adapt ancient mixes to modern materials, and how additives like casein, tallow, and Chukum interact with lime.
- Full Wall Application – Our final day is dedicated to working together on a large wall. This group project simulates the real-world experience of applying what we’ve learned on a scale that brings it all together. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of timing, teamwork, and finish quality—plus the satisfaction of completing a beautiful, lasting surface.
LOCATION:
This immersive workshop takes place at Villa Agroecológica Tierra del Sol, a 4-hectare regenerative farm and education center in Tlacochahuaya.
- Cost: $900 USD for the full 5-day workshop (tuition cost only)
- Meals: Are included in the workshop fee.
- Accommodations: A variety of private and shared lodging options are available at Tierra Del Sol. Read more on the accommodation options here.
- Deposit: A $400 deposit is required to reserve your spot.
Workshop Syllabus
Clay Base Coats & Tools of the Trade
We begin by preparing and leveling walls with traditional clay base coats—a fundamental layer that supports all other finishes. This day includes an introduction to key tools and how to use them for efficient, elegant plastering. We’ll learn how to read a wall, mix for workability, and create a strong foundation.
Lime-Clay Transitional Layers
We explore lime-clay mixtures as transitional coats between clay and pure lime finishes. This day focuses on “keying”—how one layer bonds to the next—and why this transitional step is vital to durability and success in multilayer systems.
Finish Lime Plasters & Field Excursion
The day begins with lime finishing techniques including the application of smooth and polished surfaces. We’ll take an in-depth look at the chemistry behind plasters: why they harden, how to adapt ancient mixes to modern materials, and how additives like casein, tallow, and Chukum interact with lime.
In the afternoon, we take a field trip into downtown Oaxaca to visit a historic mission and a family-run studio producing traditional black polished pottery—paralleling many of the surface qualities and histories we’re studying.
Practice & Refinement
Now it’s time to hone your technique. We’ll spend the day practicing a range of finishes, refining your touch. Include exploring Chukum, Tadelakt-inspired methods, and subtle lime-clay blends.
Group Project: Full Wall Application
Our final day is dedicated to working together on a large wall. This group project simulates the real-world experience of applying what we’ve learned on a scale that brings it all together. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of timing, teamwork, and finish quality—plus the satisfaction of completing a beautiful, lasting surface.
Instructor
Benito Steen is a builder and artist, who strives to find the connection between space and beauty, shelter and nature, the hand and materials.
Born and raised in southeastern Arizona where his parents teach natural building, Benito comes from a long lineage of artists and makers and grew up surrounded by people from around the world coming in with new skills and crafts every day. Homeschooled, he gravitated early on as teenager towards the trades and arts such as: plastering, blacksmithing and woodworking.
He has taught natural building throughout Latin American and Southeast Asia and his home in Canelo, AZ. Always learning and experimenting he mixes old techniques with the new, to create beautifully sustainable and healthy houses.
