Adobe 105 “Interior Finish Practices”
Institution: Northern New Mexico College – El Rito Campus
Course Title: Adobe 105 “Interior Finish Practices (Plasters)” (Blackboard/Internet)
Degree: This class can be applied to NNMC’s Certificate in Adobe Construction.
Instructor: Kurt Gardella
Credits: 4
Dates and Registration: see www.adobecollege.com
This 8-week internet class covers the fundamentals of finishing interior mud brick walls.
Theoretical topics include: a brief overview and history of interior finishes for adobe homes in New Mexico, an overview of tools needed for interior finish work, an overview of mud plaster characteristics and why earthen plasters make sense (e.g. recyclable/reusable, healthy, low embodied energy, sound proof, breathable, smell proof), an overview and history of alis and other clay paint applications, an overview of basic window and door installation techniques for mud brick walls, an overview of basic window and door finishing techniques using wood trim.
Our hands-on projects for this course focus on finishing interior mud brick walls using mud plasters.
Step-by-step hands-on video demos include: installing windows and doors in mud brick walls, preparing mud brick walls for mud plasters (moisture protection and lathe for wood elements), summary of tools needed for plastering and their handling techniques, finishing mud brick walls without plaster (sponge and sheep hide techniques), locating and testing soil and other materials for mud plasters, sifting, preparing and mixing soil and other materials for mud plasters, department mud plaster recipes – their mixing and application techniques (hand and trowel), alis and clay wash recipes – their mixing and application techniques.
The course also provides you with podcast interviews on the above topics with our department chair Quentin Wilson. An online discussion group for interacting with the instructor and fellow students also accompanies the course.