In May 2018, the educational action “Shelters” was held in Tzoumerka, organized by the Boulouki group. This action involved two parallel workshops aimed at learning traditional building techniques through a theoretical and practical approach. One concerned the wood and specifically the creation of a “tzoumeriotiko” tree house in Pramanta, while the second concerned the construction of a traditional wood oven in the Melissourgon shelter.

Our company supported the workshop “Making traditional wood oven”, offering the proper materials: clay, lime, pumice and sand. The construction of the oven was an extremely interesting project for both the participants, who were led by experienced craftsmen, and for us who attended it, as it was our first time personally and as a sponsor in such an endeavor. The given knowledge was inextricably linked both to lectures by renowned academics and NGO representatives dealing with natural construction as well as to the practical application and construction of the furnace by the participants and the team.

As the experience was unique and the result complete and successful, we would like to share more about this project and witness the details of its construction through the description of team Boulouki:

“During our May 2018 “Shelter” workshop, a traditional wood-fire oven was built at the Melissourgon shelter in Tzoumerka. Lime, clay, quartz sand and pumice combined with solid ceramic bricks and local stone were the main materials for the project. The clay was used together with the sand as a binder in the dome of the oven, as it required resistance to high temperatures. During the first “burning” of the oven, the πηλοκονίαμα (ceramics ή pottery) was fired and created a homogeneous body inside. Outside the dome, a layer of clay and pumice stone was made, which due to its thermal insulation properties, does not allow the heat to escape. The stones were built using plaster which – in addition to its good workability and excellent adhesion to the stone – allows the joints to breathe and thus prevent moisture from being trapped. “

We are especially pleased when we take part in actions that help, promote, revive and rescue traditional building techniques and at the same time create added value. The wood is now operated by Fotis, the shelter manager!

You can find more information about the Boulouki group here: www.boulouki.org

Information about the action “Katafygia”: https://www.boulouki.org/shelters

Article from Dalkafoukis Blog about the action “Katafygia” : https://bit.ly/2VGR9YK