Rammed-earth + tadelakt workshops · El Valle Retreats
The Art of Building with Earth
Spend a week building with earth by hand in a working mountain village in Samaná, Dominican Republic. You'll help raise rammed-earth walls, then learn the polished lime finish used to protect and beautify them. Come for one workshop or stay for the full week.
The workshop
EarthLab is a week of building with earth in El Valle, Samaná, led by the team at Terra Crua.
Two workshops, both hands-on. EarthWall runs four days, raising the first real rammed-earth walls for El Valle's retreat village. Tadelakt is three days, learning the polished, waterproof Moroccan lime finish.
We start with theory, how the material actually works, then get to the real work on site. Mixing. Setting formwork. Tamping courses. Troweling the finish.
No prior experience is needed, but there's enough depth here for architects, engineers, and builders. Come for one workshop or stay the full week. Either way, you go home with a certificate of participation, and a project still standing long after you've left.
Inside the process
You'll learn the principles first, then apply them in the field.
Theory
- Evolution: Explore the history and evolution of earth construction.
- Principles: Understand how rammed-earth walls gain their strength.
- Soil Analysis: Learn how to identify and test suitable soils.
- Mix Design: Create balanced mixes for strength and durability.
- Bioclimatic Design: Discover how buildings naturally respond to climate.
- Structural Design: Understand the fundamentals of earth-building structures.
- Quality Control: Ensure consistent results throughout the building process.
- Case Studies: Explore successful earth-building projects from around the world.
Hands-on
- Mix Preparation: Prepare earth mixes using proven techniques and methods.
- Formwork: Build and assemble the forms that shape each wall.
- Compaction: Master layer-by-layer compaction for lasting strength.
- Moisture Control: Manage moisture for durability and consistent performance.
- Surface Finishes: Create clean, refined finishes using traditional techniques.
- Site Workflow: Work efficiently as part of the building process.
- Problem Solving: Identify common issues and learn how to correct them.
The full experience
A week shaped by more than the work.
Between workshops, there's time to slow down, move your body, explore El Valle, and connect with the group. The week is as much about connection as it is about building.
Movement in the garden
An intentional slow morning practice for recovery and restoration.
Breathwork + ice bath
A guided session to unwind and recover after a full day of meaningful physical work.
Cacao ceremony
A shared gathering rooted in local tradition, designed to bring our group together and taste the gifts of this land.
Come as you are
This workshop is for
Architects, engineers and builders
You'll go deeper into how earth structures work in practice, from soil to structure to finish.
Curious makers and students
No prior experience is needed. You'll learn everything on site through doing.
People who like working with their hands
A chance to spend a week building something real, getting hands-on with materials and being part of a shared process.
Who teaches it
Terra Crua
Both workshops are led by Terra Crua, an earth-building practice. With care and expertise, they developed this program. It is guided on-site, and the instructors are there to support you through every stage of the build. At the end of the week, they provide you with a certificate of participation.
A week at EarthLab
Four days of building together, with the wall taking shape step by step.
Friday 28 August
EarthWall · Arrival, welcome + cacao
Saturday 29 August
EarthWall · Yoga, soil, strength + first layers
Sunday 30 August
EarthWall · Breathwork, compaction + wall building
Monday 31 August
EarthWall · Reveal, surface finishes + closing
Tuesday 1 September
Tadelakt · Introduction + first coat
Wednesday 2 September
Tadelakt · Second coat, color + polishing
Thursday 3 September
Tadelakt · Soap treatment, final polish + closing
“Before modern materials, most buildings were formed from the earth itself. What do we reconnect with when we build this way again?”
Tickets
Choose your workshop.
Take one workshop or the full week. Add a meal pack if you'd like meals handled. Reserve with a $200 deposit. The rest is due before the workshop.
Your package
Full Training · EarthWall + Tadelakt
Balance of $389 due before the workshop.
Secure card payment via Stripe.
Deposit & payment
- A 50% deposit reserves your place. Pay it securely online by card.
- The remaining balance is due up to 3 days before the workshop starts.
- We send balance payment details (transfer or link) over WhatsApp after you reserve.
- Booking within 3 days of the start? Contact us on WhatsApp to pay in full directly.
For your security, we never post bank details publicly. We send them privately over WhatsApp once you've reserved.
Where to stay
Accommodation, if you need it.
Rooms are separate and optional. A few options nearby, from a shared hostel bed to a private villa. Availability is confirmed directly over WhatsApp.
Shared hostel bed
Per person
Private room
Up to 2 people
Deluxe private room
Up to 2 people
Villa
Up to 3 people
Villa
Up to 4 people
Private pool house
Up to 8 people
Subject to availability · confirmed over WhatsApp.
Good to know
Questions, answered.
Can I do just one workshop?+
Yes. Book EarthWall on its own (28–31 August), Tadelakt on its own (1–3 September), or the Full Training for both across the week at a better price.
What is tadelakt?+
Tadelakt is a traditional Moroccan lime plaster, polished with a stone and sealed with olive soap into a smooth, waterproof surface used on walls, sinks and baths. Over three days you learn to mix, apply and polish it.
Do I need building experience?+
No. Terra Crua teaches and directs, and we work as a group. You learn the recipe and the technique on site. There is also enough depth for architects, engineers and builders.
Is there a certificate?+
Yes. Every participant gets a certificate of participation from Terra Crua for each workshop they complete.
How physical is it?+
It is hands on and physical, in the heat. You will be mixing, lifting, tamping and troweling across the days. Tell us about any limitations and we will advise.
What should I bring?+
Closed shoes, clothes you do not mind getting muddy, sun protection, and a water bottle.
How do I get to El Valle?+
Fly into Samaná (AZS) or Santo Domingo, then take a road transfer to El Valle. We will help you plan the last leg over WhatsApp.
Where do I stay, and what about food?+
Accommodation is a separate, optional add-on with a few options from a shared hostel bed to a private villa, and we confirm availability over WhatsApp. Meal packs are an optional add-on to any ticket, and we cater to dietary needs.
What language is it in?+
English and Spanish.
Deposit, payment, and cancellation?+
A 50% deposit reserves your place and is paid securely online by card. The balance is due up to 3 days before the workshop, we send those details over WhatsApp after you reserve, and share the cancellation terms before you pay.
Why earth
Rammed earth and lime are simple materials with an extraordinary track record. They're local, low-impact, and built to last. Instead of telling you why they're remarkable, we'd rather hand you the tools and let you discover it for yourself.
15 spaces · 28 August – 3 September 2026
The Art of Building with Earth.
Placeholder photos for now. Instructor bio, logo, and final dates still to be confirmed.