Post Fire Series: Building An Earthen Bench, Part II
About this Event
This workshop is offered at no cost to participants thanks to a grant from the California Community Foundation.
Get grounded in the fundamentals of building an earthen bench at this two-part Earthen Bench Making Workshop series in collaboration with SoilWise— part of the ongoing Post Fire series at Arlington Garden.
Join us Saturday 6/20 from 9am-12pm for the final free workshop on building an earthen bench at Arlington Garden. Part two will include the bench finishing & mosaic application process. We will mix and apply a smooth fine earthen plaster with natural weatherproofing to the bench form created in the first workshop, and complete the bench for public use by applying a mosaic.
This workshop is a continuation of the series which started in Spring 2025 that was paused due to the temporary closure of the garden following the fire which destroyed the the onsite wood workshed and volunteer hub. Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes, bring a water bottle to drink from, and be on time for the workshop sessions. Be prepared to get dirty!
This workshop is a continuation of the series which started in Spring 2025 that was paused due to the temporary closure of the garden following the fire which destroyed the the onsite wood workshed and volunteer hub.
Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes, bring a water bottle to drink from, and be on time for the workshop sessions. Be prepared to get dirty!
Whether you're a curious beginner or an earth-building enthusiast, you'll experience the creative and practical magic of cob while helping build a functional, beautiful bench you can sit on and enjoy anytime you are at Arlington Garden.
What You’ll Learn In the Series:
No prerequisite or experience is required for either workshop. The workshops are appropriate for all skill levels and abilities but best suited for adults and teens (accompanied by an adult).
- The basics of natural, fire-resistant, and earthquake-resilient building techniques
- How to build a bench form using natural and upcycled materials
- How to mix and apply earthen plaster using just clay, sand, straw, and water
- Construction techniques such as building an arch from adobe bricks for stabilization
- Real-world insight into climate-resilient architecture included in CA's building codes
Photos from Earthen Building for All Ages Brick Making Workshops on 5/9/2026 and 4/19/2025
About Arlington Garden in Pasadena
Located in a residential neighborhood, Arlington Garden is a public habitat garden and 2.5 acre host to climate-appropriate plants, trees, fungi, root systems, animals, birds, bees, bugs, and people. The Garden is not a public or municipal park, and is a community-founded non-profit 501c3 organization that is largely supported by donations and grants. We are open, with general attendance free of charge, during daylight hours 365 days a year.
About SoilWise
Centered around soil health as the foundation for thriving landscapes, Soilwise is a community-centered small business providing soil health education and testing, ecological landscaping, specialized soil blends, and support land stewards of all kinds - composters, farmers, and landscapers. Since the Eaton Fire, Soilwise has been supporting the community with soil contaminant testing and bioremediation work, and partnering with community organizations to offer free and accessible services as a member of the - as member of the Dena Soil Project.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
