Description:

Concrete counters are highly durable and beautiful.  Having the ability to create any shape, build in custom features for any application, and be fairly inexpensive makes them a perfect choice for any DIY home owner.

In this course we will be casting counters for the Asylum kitchen. The cabinets are being built by one of the Woodworking Intensive classes; both cabinets and counters are professionally designed by Asylum staff, but executed by you!  If you enjoy learning new skills and seeing the fruit of your labor being enjoyed by your community every day, this is the class for you.

First we will cover the theory for design elements, structural  reinforcement, making the form, casting and finishing. Then, with our design for a finished product in hand, we will translate the design into a three-dimensional form.  Once the form is constructed the fun begins, with casting, finishing and installation.

Class Goals:

In this class, students will:

• learn theory and principles of design for concrete casting
• build the form from melamine plywood, getting experience with the table saw and hand tools
• mix and pour the concrete, and learn principles of correct concrete pouring and setting
• learn theory of various concrete finishes/ polishing (practical experience with finishing will depend upon time and funds available)

Prerequisites:

None.

Materials:

The cost of materials for the countertops wil come out of the Asylum's portion of class income; all materials will be provided.

Instructor Biography:

Prior to attending the North Bennett St School for carpentry Peter Montague worked at Joe VanBenton Furniture Makers in Brookline as the chief finisher.  After attending N.B.S.S. and spending some "off the grid" time in New York State he studied timber framing in northern Maine.  The last ten years have been spent working for a local finish carpentry firm where he was able to work in some of the area's most beautiful homes.  He is now running his own company focusing on restoration.  He dabbles in stained and leaded glass, custom doors, landscape structures, furniture and painting.