Wood fired brick ovens have been used since the dawn of civilization. They have been found in excavations of virtually every ancient civilization with the brick oven reaching its modern form in ancient Rome. Designs vary widely based on materials and intended use. The round wood-fired oven is found widely in Italy and throughout all of Europe. The round or oval design is one of the strongest structures, engineered to stand for hundreds of years with no modern steel support. In this course, students will build this classic oven design with firebrick and lime or clay mortar on top of a simple sawdust arch form. Oven materials and different designs will also be discussed during the class. Because the oven cannot be transported and there is a limit to the number of ovens one folk school can have, the oven will be dismantled by the class when we are finished.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• 5” duck billed trowel or standard brick trowel
• thin work gloves
• clothes to get dirty in

Feel free to bring your favorite tools and whatever materials you might feel appropriate for this course.