Rancho Mastatal showers

Project data
Type Alternative building
Authors
Location Costa Rica
Status Deployed
Years
Cost USD 5000

The showers at Rancho Mastatal were made using natural building techniques including lime plaster, tadelakt plaster, clay paint, and mortise and tenon. They were constructed in 2007 by local, volunteer, and student labor. It took about 6 months to complete, and the final cost was approximately USD $5000.

Components

The gallery below describes various components of the showers.

  • This shower stall was made using a tadelakt plaster technique. It is waterproof and requires no maintenance. The stall on the other side was made with a lime plaster lath that was pasted with horse hair and between small wooden strips. The walls done with the lime plaster do require regular refinishes.
    This shower stall was made using a tadelakt plaster technique. It is waterproof and requires no maintenance. The stall on the other side was made with a lime plaster lath that was pasted with horse hair and between small wooden strips. The walls done with the lime plaster do require regular refinishes.
  • Bamboo was used to support the piping and the shower head. The frame of the structure was made by connecting timber with a mortise and tenon technique.
    Bamboo was used to support the piping and the shower head. The frame of the structure was made by connecting timber with a mortise and tenon technique.
  • The floor was decided to be cement, because any natural plaster would wear away too quickly with regular shower use.
    The floor was decided to be cement, because any natural plaster would wear away too quickly with regular shower use.
  • The sink was made using broken tile and cement.
    The sink was made using broken tile and cement.
Page data
Authors Dominick Triola
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Organizations Rancho Mastatal
Cite as Dominick Triola (2014–2025). "Rancho Mastatal showers". Appropedia. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
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