Tadelakt and Polished Lime Plasters Workshop 
in New Zealand

Taught by Benito Steen 

This is an intensive workshop on polished lime plasters including the timeless Moroccan technique of Tadelakt — a water-resistant finish used for showers and sink, polished with hard stones. This workshop is designed for students who are ready to deep dive into the world of lime and its admixes. A major component of this course will be the mixology involved with polished lime finishes, and breaking down the many uses of each material for different purposes.

Over the course of 4 days we will cover:

• Traditional Tadelakt techniques – from substrate preparation to application, compression, polishing with stones, and final olive soap treatment
• Polished lime finishes – water proof and hard troweled, modern versions of Tadelakt, using contemporary admixes and techniques.
• Tool use and material mastery – understanding the role of tools, aggregates, and additives to creating a more workable and durable mix. 
• Surface preparation and layering – learning how to build a strong, compatible foundation for polished work.

This workshop is for those who wish to expand their skillset into the more subtle and detailed world of lime — it is ideal for builders, plasterers, artists, and design enthusiasts looking to work with these finishes in showers, baths, kitchens, or sculptural installations.

Set in the lush surroundings of New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, this workshop also offers a beautiful context for learning and connecting with fellow craftspeople.

Disclaimer : We will be covering very complex content. The intention of this workshop is not give you a specific recipe but an understanding of the materials and their properties so that you can leave confident to experiment with your own mixes.

LOGISTICS

• Dates: This course begins Thursday evening, January 16, with orientation and dinner at 6pm, and ends Monday, January 19, at 5pm. Dinner that final evening and breakfast the following morning will be provided. Full day program runs from 9am-5pm each day. 
• Location: This is an off-site workshop while Benito visits in New Zealand. It will be based at our friends, Barney & Lauren’s building site, where they are in the process of building their natural home, 15 min from Kerikeri. 
• Accommodations: Camping is available on-site, with outdoor bathroom facilities.
• Meals: Three homemade meals will be provided per day, including coffee and tea. Please bring own plate and silverware. BYO personal beverages and snacks. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
• Deposit: A $400 NZD deposit is required to register for this workshop