Check out this video from the Colonial Williamsburg video library showing the building and history behind a lime rick .

As the rick burned, temperatures of at least 1800 F  were were obtained. This is essential if the conversion from calcium carbonate to calcium oxide is going to occur. Ricks were constructed with several tiers of logs supporting layers of smaller logs then covered with the oyster shells.

There are worldwide examples of  historic Lime ricks, these were found  in close association to shell middens, which are strewn along the eastern seaboard of the USA, with some examples here in western Canada,with further examples worlwide.

The world-over you will see the use of the sir name “Lime-burner” or  points of interest called “Limeburner point” “Lime burner bay” or pubs called “The lime burner” or  “Limeburners Arms” these are all in reference of the old trade of burning limestone or in this case oyster shells to make lime plaster, mortars, tabby cement and concrete.

Shell or lime middens are a whole different topic to which I am no expert,but I find the subject interesting none the less.

Shikkui Plaster ( Shirokabe) the traditional  Japanese lime plaster, is manufactured in much the same way, from the millions of pounds of oyster shell produced from the  consumption of oysters  in Japan….albeit in a more modern type of lime kiln.

Shikkui Plaster is made of slaked lime , seaweed extracts and  natural plant fibers and other aggregates. Has been widely used throughout Japan for both internal and external wall and ceiling finishes  of houses, temples and castles, for over one thousand years.

The hydraulic lime used in the technique of Tadelakt plaster was/is manufactured in much the same way ,in ground pits or pit kilns, with palm fronds as fuel to burn the limestone local to Marrakesh.

The renewed interest in the use of Lime Plasters,Venetian plasters and  lime based mortars and paints is beginning a  revolution.

Lime Plaster, high in alkalinity and very breathable provides  healthy environments, excellent luminescent, reflective light, and simply a beautiful surface wall finish for any home.

The mixture is  sprayed or troweled  over any type of interior and exterior substrates (i.e., drywall, brick, tile, concrete, brown coat, foam)  We  then work the stone plaster by hand to achieve the desired pattern and texture.

Here’s the final look, completely done by hand, 2 days from conception to completion.

This particular project we were asked to create a tumbled and aged limestone effect, here’s a sampling of some of the processes involved ,the final outcome is completely in the hands of the skilled artisan plasterer.

First we confirmed the profile required with the Architect and designers , and constructed a template to suit there needs. The template is mounted to the horse and we then proceeded with the layout and finally the formation of the arch molding itself.

A snippet of lime plaster History:
Since Roman times, lime putty mortars and plasters have been used widely for internal ( today, venetian plaster and marmorino’s  are still being made from this same lime putty )and external plastering and stonework. For external rendering and stucco, greater compressive and tensile strengths were achieved by adding various forms of pozzolans to lime based mortars.. burnt clay, volcanic ash, ( tuff ) brick dust, all such additives react with lime putty’s to form cementitous “mortars”

Limestone containing clay were also burnt to produce hydraulic limes (NHL) these set by reaction with water and by carbonisation of the lime.

Producing details in-situ such as the archway described on this Vancouver plaster project… is  versatile, adaptable and flexible! Giving the Architect,the Designer and the homeowner  design freedom,with both color and texture, with large pieces or building facades there is a further cost savings on engineering and construction costs associated with weight.

Compare this to having the architectural detail cast in cement or concrete,making molds, trucking and other logistics…or having the detail carved,which is the smarter alternative? Id say hiring a knowledgeable plaster and stucco contractor is the right move.

Mikaela Fenton-Jones sent me this email of her personal account of Tadelakt lime plaster in Marrakech, and included updated shots of the interior of the Villa’s.

Thank’s Mikaela!

The lucky new buyers of these villa’s should give Maryam a shout from My Marrakech Lifestyle and interior design  Blog, for some inspiration in furnishing there newly acquired abode

“The Moroccan art of Tadelakt plaster is one of those building traditions that has thankfully survived the test of time and is not, as so many other traditional trades and skilled practices are, dying out with a reduction in the knowledge pool. It is alive and kicking in Morocco. Now, I am by no means an expert in tadelakt, but I love that fact that it is ubiquitous here in Marrakech; it’s historical ‘ birthplace’ . I also love the fact that it transcends the luxury décor/functional divide and is just as widely used in public hammams (steamy bath houses) as the most trendy of boutique hotels The beautiful rounded edges and curves achieved on showers and bathubs, allow for the most indulgent of designs and the natural pigments used produce a wide variety of colours. See for example a couple of the bathrooms at the fabulously bohemiem Riad El Fenn  in Marrakech”

“We are in the process of building an exclusive villa community, L’Amandier,  in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains . Our British architect set out to blend a contemporary design with the traditional Moroccan materials and he chose Tadelakt for all the interior walls. He was absolutely right, because in my opinion, Tadelakt gives an overall impression of depth and warmth. It seems to both reflect and absorb the light and gives the feeling that the walls have somehow organically grown into the design of the house”

Assuming it is skillfully applied, Tadelakt is durable (although be careful of corners; rounded edges advised), waterproof, and stunningly beautiful…

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

One of my contractors was faced with the challenge of having a Limestone or Travertine lintel fabricated and installed.So like any good contractor does when he does not already have the resource in place,  he asks his best trades the ultimate question ” Do you know someone capable of doing this limestone header for me” he asks,as he is showing me the elevations. Not one to ever back away from a plastering challenge, I offered my further services and took on the job myself. Authentic Plaster FX was already fully involved in this extensive interior and exterior venetian plaster project…so why not add some more of our expertise to the project ?

The question is …is it real? and if no,how did we do it? Well the ins and outs of how it is done I will keep to myself ,and some applicators may offer there insight into how it is done ….but I’ll leave em guessing I’m afraid in this case

Here’s  2 shots of the start of the process,the rest stays under my hat!

So what makes this so important you may ask?…..

Well with this system we can create Limestone details at a fraction of the cost of real limestone or travertine….in this particular case we saved the home owner approximately $8000.00 as compared to having a real limestone header fabricated ,on top of that we did it in a matter of days as compared to weeks for actual real stone,and we are able to get over any building imperfections because the process is done in-situ.
Here’s a sneek peek from part 2 next week

Natural Hydraulic lime exteriors are the way to go,they provide a far better exterior cladding than any portland cement possibly could. Here are just a few reasons.

• Walls breath better and moisture can escape
• Mortars and stuccos do not set too hard they remain flexable
  
• Thermal movement can be accommodated without damage
• Expansion joints can be somewhat avoided
• Insulation is improved and cold bridging reduced
• There is a reduced risk of condensation

The hydraulic lime material has been seeing a revival over the past few years lets hope Michel’s work in the industry pays off !