Tadelakt & Earth Building Workshop in Morocco
Tour to Morocco to learn Earthen building and Tadelakt
with Athena Steen and Nicolas Avalos
Join us for an unforgettable 10-day journey through Morocco — from Marrakesh to the earthen kasbahs of the Draa Valley in the Atlas Mountains. During this time you will learn Moroccan earthen building traditions, such as rammed earth and adobe, and the iconic Moroccan Tadelakt plaster – all taught by local masters.
This tour will be co-led with local host and translator, Hassan, and renowned earth builder Athena Steen of the Canelo Project, and coordinated by Nicolas Avalos. This experience brings together building, culture and history in one of the richest earthen architecture regions of the world.
LOGISTICS
The cost of this tour/workshop is $1400 which includes:
- Workshop instruction
- All lodging (mostly shared accommodation in beautiful, traditional spaces)
- 3 authentic Moroccan meals per day
- Site tours, local transportation, and translation
Flights to/from Morocco not included.
WAITING LIST OPEN NOW
This is a new offering that we are still in planning phase of.
We are gauging interest for the next month (July-August) and we will confirm in September.
Tentative Schedule
Day 1 – Tour of Marrakesh
Welcome dinner and orientation previous evening, and walking tour of Marrakesh’s historic architecture — birthplace of the Tadelakt tradition.
Day 2 – Journey to the Desert
Stop at the iconic Ksar Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO site seen in Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Then we head into the Draa Valley to Kasbah des Caïds, our stunning 600-year-old home for the week.
Day 3 – Earth Architecture Tour
We will tour the local villages, ancient kasbahs, and an overview of traditional earth building techniques from local builders.
Day 4 – Adobe & Rammed Earth Construction
Hands-on introduction to local earth construction: Moroccan adobe and rammed earth.
Day 5 – Earth Plasters & Tadelakt Prep
We begin exploring the material preparation for lime-based Tadelakt plaster and earth finishes.
Day 6 – Optional Excursion or Rest Day
Free day to explore the area, relax, or take an unforgettable 4×4 trip into the Sahara dunes for an overnight camel trek (not included, but we can help coordinate).
Day 7 – Begin Tadelakt & Clay Carving
We begin applying and working on traditional Tadelakt with local masters and start a decorative clay carving with Athena Steen.
Day 8 – Finishing & Carving
Continue and complete Tadelakt finishes, and carving design, and enjoy more local exploration.
Day 9 – Return to Marrakesh
Scenic drive back, with stops at additional sites of interest. Wrap-up dinner in the city.
Day 10 – Departure Day
Time to explore more of Marrakesh, shop, or relax before flights home.
Instructors
Athena Steen grew up building with clay and adobe. She loves creating sculpted spaces that connect form with function, and walls rich with pattern, texture and color.
Through the Canelo Project, a small non-profit organization, Athena has been teaching workshops for over thirty years, in strawbale construction and earthen building. Focused on simple, low-skill, low-cost methods that build community between people, culture and nature.
Co-author of The Straw Bale House, Small Strawbale, and Built by Hand, her influence in the natural building world has been wide-spread. When Athena does not have her hands in the mud, she also enjoys publishing and designing books.
Nicolas Avalos is a dedicated builder with a background in civil engineering, specializing in natural and alternative building methods. Originally from Belgium he is fluent in French, Spanish and English.
Passionate about fostering a deeper connection with our environment, Nico empowers owner-builders to utilize natural, healthy, and locally sourced materials in their construction projects.
For the last six years he has been dedicating himself to deepening this knowledge in Europe and Central and North America, promoting environmentally conscious building practices that harmonize with the natural world.