Learn from the team who spent 15 years of mastery in natural plaster techniques using zero per cent cement at Thannal! Learn from basic mud plasters, mud and lime plasters, mud lime and pozzolanic plasters, lime plasters, lime pozzolanic mixes, clay paints to limewashes, to emphasize your natural building with the beauty of nature. Natural Flooring (Coming Soon) and this package is an early bird offer. Join our course today to study the full spectrum of sustainable building practices and elevate your skills!

Course Modules:

1.1 Introduction to Natural Building

• Evolution of Shelters
• Ancient Textbooks
• Age-old Structures
• Traditional Shelter making system
• Where does Thannal's knowledge come from?
• Why did this system change?
• How is it well suited for each place?
• Impact of returning to Natural Building
• Jagrat (awake): When living in a mud house, the five senses will interact with the natural materials in the physical world.

1.2 Mud

• What is Soil?
• Ancient text knowledge
• Components of soil
• How to procure soil to examine the components?
• Mud Tests
• Feeling with Hands
• Cigar Test
• Ball drop test
• Mud biscuits or cookies
• Mud Bottle Test
• Mud Sampling
• Conclusion & Jagrat
• References & What’s Next

1.3 Bamboo

• What is Bamboo?
• Bamboo is not a wood but a variety of grass. 
• Ancient text knowledge
• Traditional examples of Uses of Bamboo
• Types of Bamboo
• How to procure bamboo?
• Harvesting
• Traditional practices in India
• Buying from Market
• Why treat bamboo? 
• Immersing bamboo in water
• Smoking bamboo 
• Baking bamboo in light fire
• Dipping in boric and borax
• Immersing in cow urine
• Preservation
• How to choose a suitable treatment method?
• Different ways to use bamboo
• Conclusion & Jagrat (Awake)
• References & What’s Next

1.4 Lime

• Jagrat (awake): The Versatility and Uses of Lime (Mystic Lime)
• What is Lime?
• Ancient Text Knowledge
• Traditional homes
• Exercise 1
• Lime Cycle
• Burning lime in a kiln
• Benefits of making lime in a kiln
• Transporting and Storing Lime
• Exercise 2 - Visit a lime kiln
• Slaking of lime
• Dry slaking
• Wet slaking
• Different classes of lime
• How do we test the quality of lime?
• Visual Examination
• Field test
• Ball test
• Test to check stabilization of lime
• Where can lime be used in construction?
• What happens with the excess use of lime?
• Why not use cement?
• Explorations by Thannal
• Village story & Jagrat (Awake)
• References & Upcoming Lessons

1.5 Surkhi

• What is Surkhi?
• Ancient Text Knowledge
• Traditional Building Examples
• What is Pozzolanic material?
• What happens when pozzolanic material is added?
• Sources of Surkhi
• How to Make Surkhi (Do-it-yourself)?
• How to make surkhi by in your site
• How to make the mix with Surkhi?
• What is the effect of grinding the mix?
• Benefits of adding Surkhi
• How to test the quality of Surkhi?
• Uses of Surkhi
• Limitations in using Surkhi
• Conclusion & Jagrat (Awake)
• References & Upcoming Lessons

1.6 Admixtures Part-1

• What are admixtures?
• What is present in these admixtures?
• Ancient Text Knowledge
• Why use admixtures?
• Kadukkai – Jaggery Mix
• Neem Turmeric water
• Where has Thannal used it?
• What is starch?
• Cow Dung
• Cow Urine
• Types of Fibers & Uses
• Gums from Varaal Fish
• Conclusion & Jagrat (Awake)
• References

4. Introduction to Natural Finishes

• Prologue
• What is a Plaster?
• History of Plasters
• Ancient Textual References and Their Contributions
• Natural Polymers/Plants and Animal Derivatives
• Colours in Plasters
• Health and Environmental Concerns with Modern Building Materials
• Journey of Thannal
• Preparation for Plastering
• Wall Systems
• Materials
• Tools
• Mixing Tools & Machinery
• Types of Plasters & Layers
• Material Preparation
• Plaster Sampling and Testing
• Scratch Coat/ Base Coat Plaster
• Wall Preparation
• Applications Techniques
• Surface finishes
• Plastering Small Areas and Openings
• Curing Lime Plasters
• Mud Plasters
• Bharatiya Cowdung Earthen Plaster
• Ayurvedic Charcoal-Turmeric Cowdung Plaster
• Mud and Lime Plasters
• Egg-Enriched Beige Mud & Lime Plaster
• Orange Hue & Husk-Infused Lime Mud Plaster
• Mud, Lime and Pozzolanic Plasters
• Lime Blended Ash & Natural Mud Plaster
• Pozzolanic Lime Fusion & Mud Hue Plaster
• Lime Pozzolanic Plasters
• Traditional Surkhi-Sand & Lime Heritage Plaster
• Possibilities and Alternatives
• Quantity of Plaster required
• Troubleshooting in Plastering
• Conclusion
• Mural Art using Natural colours with Artist Ari Glass (BONUS CONTENT)
• Natural Flooring (Coming Soon)

Key Learning Outcomes: Create and apply various natural plasters with confidence and creativity.
Understand the historical and cultural significance of traditional plastering materials and techniques.
Develop a keen eye for material preparation, mixing ratios, and troubleshooting common plastering issues.

Who Should Enroll:
This course is ideal for builders, architects, students, and hobbyists interested in sustainable building practices and traditional craftsmanship. Anyone who loves and care for earth can learn this course.

Conclusion:
Complete the course with the knowledge and skills to approach any building project with an expert understanding of natural plasters. Start your journey towards becoming a plastering expert today and contribute to sustainable building practices with traditional wisdom and modern insights.