Friday, May 23rd - Sunday, May 25, 9AM-5PM Daily
Horno Building – 3-Day Intensive
$375.00
Earthen ovens are affordable to build, fun to use, and provide a baking environment impossible to recreate in the kitchen. Attendees will leave this 3-day workshop with the knowledge necessary to build an oven of your own, with materials that you may already have in your yard. The class will be held at a unique historic homestead ranch outside of Pioneertown, California.
Workload
24 hours (three 8-hour days)
Who is it for?
This workshop is suitable for all levels, from beginners to building professionals, DIYers, natural building enthusiasts, adobe homeowners, aspiring owner builders, bakers and the adobe curious. Individuals with mobility or other disabilities are welcome, please contact us to discuss accommodation.
Lodging & Food
These classes will take place near Pioneertown, California. The exact location will be shared after registration. Though lodging is not included, there are nearby options for all budgets. Within walking distance is the Pioneertown Corrals, where you can camp under the stars for as little as $35. Or opt for a little more luxury at the Pioneertown Motel. There are also plenty of hotels, motels, and Airbnbs within a 20-minute drive of the site.
Restaurants within walking distance include the Red Dog Saloon and Pappy and Harriets. The site is a short drive to 29 Palms Highway. The site is a short drive to 29 Palms Highway which has plenty of dining options.
Course Learning Objectives
- Learn about safety in earthen construction.
- Learn how California regulations apply to wood-fired earthen ovens.
- Learn correct horno sizing.
- Learn the basics of adobe block laying.
- Learn about the benefits and types of hearth insulation.
- Learn about different types of oven floors.
- Learn how to install a brick oven floor.
- Learn different methods for forming the oven dome.
- Learn how to create a sand form for the oven dome.
- Learn how to install the different layers of the oven dome – including the thermal layer, insulation layer, and finish layers.
- Learn how to finish your oven with different plaster types.
- Learn to properly fire and maintain your oven for low temperature and high temperature baking.
- Learn about cooking in earthen ovens.
Instruction Type
This is an in-person, hands-on class. Attendees will have the opportunity to get dirty and use tools and equipment typical of adobe construction. Due to the course format, enrollment will be limited to 12 individuals. Children under the age of 14 unfortunately cannot be accommodated except by prior arrangement. In the unlikely event of inclement weather, instruction will occur indoors.
Instructor
Ben Loescher
Ben Loescher is a founding Principal at Loescher Meachem Architects where his work focuses around reuse of existing buildings, high performance workplace design for the film, television and media industries, and innovation in earthen construction. Loescher provides education for earthen building through Adobeisnotsoftware, is currently Chair of the Earthbuilders’ Guild, the U.S. trade association for earthen construction and a board member for Adobe in Action, a New Mexico based non-profit focused on assisting individuals in creating affordable earthen housing.
Evaluation Methods
20-question written exam (for those seeking AIA CEU credits)
Prerequisites
None
Who is it for?
This workshop is suitable for all levels, from beginners to building professionals, DIYers, natural building enthusiasts, adobe homeowners, aspiring owner builders, bakers and the adobe curious. Individuals with mobility or other disabilities are welcome, please contact us to discuss accommodation
Course Learning Objectives
- Learn about safety in earthen construction.
- Learn how California regulations apply to wood-fired earthen ovens.
- Learn correct horno sizing.
- Learn the basics of adobe block laying.
- Learn about the benefits and types of hearth insulation.
- Learn about different types of oven floors.
- Learn how to install a brick oven floor.
- Learn different methods for forming the oven dome.
- Learn how to create a sand form for the oven dome.
- Learn how to install the different layers of the oven dome – including the thermal layer, insulation layer, and finish layers.
- Learn how to finish your oven with different plaster types.
- Learn to properly fire and maintain your oven for low temperature and high temperature baking.
- Learn about cooking in earthen ovens.
Instruction Type
This is an in-person, hands-on class. Attendees will have the opportunity to get dirty and use tools and equipment typical of adobe construction. Due to the course format, enrollment will be limited to 12 individuals. Children under the age of 14 unfortunately cannot be accommodated except by prior arrangement. In the unlikely event of inclement weather, instruction will occur indoors.
Instructor
Ben Loescher
Ben Loescher is a founding Principal at Loescher Meachem Architects where his work focuses around reuse of existing buildings, high performance workplace design for the film, television and media industries, and innovation in earthen construction. Loescher provides education for earthen building through Adobeisnotsoftware, is currently Chair of the Earthbuilders’ Guild, the U.S. trade association for earthen construction and a board member for Adobe in Action, a New Mexico based non-profit focused on assisting individuals in creating affordable earthen housing.
Evaluation Methods
20-question written exam (for those seeking AIA CEU credits)
Prerequisites
None
Who is it for?
This workshop is suitable for all levels, from beginners to building professionals, DIYers, natural building enthusiasts, adobe homeowners, aspiring owner builders, bakers and the adobe curious. Individuals with mobility or other disabilities are welcome, please contact us to discuss accommodation
Course Learning Objectives
- Learn about safety in earthen construction.
- Learn how California regulations apply to wood-fired earthen ovens.
- Learn correct horno sizing.
- Learn the basics of adobe block laying.
- Learn about the benefits and types of hearth insulation.
- Learn about different types of oven floors.
- Learn how to install a brick oven floor.
- Learn different methods for forming the oven dome.
- Learn how to create a sand form for the oven dome.
- Learn how to install the different layers of the oven dome – including the thermal layer, insulation layer, and finish layers.
- Learn how to finish your oven with different plaster types.
- Learn to properly fire and maintain your oven for low temperature and high temperature baking.
- Learn about cooking in earthen ovens.
Instruction Type
This is an in-person, hands-on class. Attendees will have the opportunity to get dirty and use tools and equipment typical of adobe construction. Due to the course format, enrollment will be limited to 12 individuals. Children under the age of 14 unfortunately cannot be accommodated except by prior arrangement. In the unlikely event of inclement weather, instruction will occur indoors.
Instructor
Ben Loescher
Ben Loescher is a founding Principal at Loescher Meachem Architects where his work focuses around reuse of existing buildings, high performance workplace design for the film, television and media industries, and innovation in earthen construction. Loescher provides education for earthen building through Adobeisnotsoftware, is currently Chair of the Earthbuilders’ Guild, the U.S. trade association for earthen construction and a board member for Adobe in Action, a New Mexico based non-profit focused on assisting individuals in creating affordable earthen housing.
Evaluation Methods
20-question written exam (for those seeking AIA CEU credits)
Prerequisites
None
Curriculum
This course includes topics from the following Adobeisnotsoftware Curriculum modules:
- 122 Making Adobe Blocks (full module)
- 124 Water Resistance Admixtures for Earthen Building Materials (aka Stabilization) (full module)
- 180 Intro to Earthen Building Codes and California (select topics)
- 242 Horno Building (full module)
- 250 Introduction to Plasters for Earthen Buildings – Concepts (select topics)
