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This introduction is suitable for DIYers, natural building enthusiasts, adobe homeowners, aspiring builders, and the adobe curious.
Workload
4 hours (1/2 day)
Course Topics
Soil Selection and Testing
Water Resistance and Stabilization
Adobe Forms
Making Adobe Blocks
Gravel Garden Wall Foundations
Adobe Brick Laying Techniques
Who is it for?
Introduction to Adobe – 1/2-Day Intensive is suitable for all levels, from beginners to building professionals, DIYers, natural building enthusiasts, adobe homeowners, aspiring owner builders, and the adobe curious.
Course Learning Objectives
Learn about safety in earthen construction.
Learn about how earth has been used as a building material worldwide and in CA.
Learn about the environmental and health benefits of earth as a building material.
Learn which building codes apply to earthen construction.
Learn how to locate, identify and test suitable soils for use in adobe construction.
Learn about clay minerals and aggregates and their role in the adobe mix.
Learn the proportions of a good adobe mix for your area and how to amend your soil if a suitable mix is not naturally present.
Learn about the use of stabilizers for improved water resistance, including asphalt emulsion, portland cement, and lime.
Learn how to mix mud in a wheelbarrow.
Learn how to make adobe blocks.
Learn the basic adobe block drying and storing sequence.
Learn different methods of field testing your adobe blocks for strength.
Learn to build a basic gravel garden wall foundation.
Learn techniques for laying adobe blocks to build a wall.
Learn techniques for properly applying mortar and tooling mortar joints.
Instruction Type
This is an in-person, hands-on class. Attendees will have the opportunity to get dirty and use tools and equipment typical of adobe construction. Due to the course format, enrollment will be limited to 12 individuals. Children under the age of 14 unfortunately cannot be accommodated except by prior arrangement. In the unlikely event of inclement weather, instruction will occur indoors.
Instructors
Ben Loescher
Ben Loescher is a founding Principal at Terrain where his work focuses around reuse of existing buildings, high performance workplace design for the film, television and media industries, and innovation in earthen construction. Loescher provides education and advocacy for earthen building through Adobeisnotsoftware, is former Chair of the Earthbuilders’ Guild, and holds an Adobe Proficiency Certification from The Earthbuilders' Guild.
Lucy Lloyd
Lucy is a Design Director and Project Designer at Terrain and a Senior Designer at Adobeisnotsoftware, the advocacy and education arm of the firm. Lucy has led design on several earthen projects in Southern California and assists in education and advocacy work with Adobeisnotsoftware in her spare time.
Evaluation Methods
20-question written exam
Curriculum
This course includes topics from the following Adobeisnotsoftware Curriculum modules:
120 Soil Selection and Testing (full module)
122 Making Adobe Blocks (full module)
124 Water Resistance Admixtures for Earthen Building Materials (aka Stabilization) (full module)
180 Intro to Earthen Building Codes and California (select topics)
230 Introduction to Foundations for Earthen Buildings – Concepts (select topics)
232 Introduction to Earthen Wall Building – Concepts (select topics)