Adobe 110 “Remodel Theory and Practices”
Institution: Northern New Mexico College – El Rito Campus
Course Title: Adobe 110 “Remodel Theory and Practices” (Blackboard/Internet)
Degree: This class can be applied to NNMC’s Certificate in Adobe Construction as an elective.
Instructor: Kurt Gardella
Credits: 2
Dates and Registration: see www.adobecollege.com
This 8-week internet class covers the fundamentals of renovating an earthen structure from foundation to roof.
Theoretical topics include: overview of different earth building techniques used worldwide, identifying different adobe architectural styles found in New Mexico, definitions of essential terms dealing with the field of adobe restoration, overview of the current New Mexico Earthen and Historical Earthen Building Codes, locating adobe material suppliers in your area, essential tools needed for adobe restoration, identifying the most common problems in adobe structures, evaluating an adobe structure from foundation to roof, preparing a budget for restoring an adobe house.
Step-by-step hands-on video demos include: performing a soil test for determining soil suitability for restoration work, mixing soil for mud bricks and mortar, making a 2-brick mud brick form, making your own mud bricks, curing and storing mud bricks, solving common problems with adobe structures such as problems with site drainage, foundations, adobe walls, windows, doors, ceilings and roofs, floors.
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.