Adobe 111 “Horno Design and Construction”
Institution: Northern New Mexico College – El Rito Campus
Course Title: Adobe 111 “Horno (Earth Oven) Design and Construction” (Blackboard/Internet)
Degree: This class can be applied to NNMC’s Certificate in Adobe Construction as an elective.
Instructor: Kurt Gardella
Credits: 1
Dates and Registration: see www.adobecollege.com
This 4-week internet class takes you through the process of building your own horno/earth oven.
Theoretical topics include: overview of different earth oven techniques used worldwide, performing a soil test to determine soil suitability for your project, information on baking bread and pizza in your oven.
Step-by-step hands-on video demos include: performing and evaluating a soil test, mixing soil for making mud bricks and mortar, building your horno foundation, building your horno base with mud bricks, constructing a sand form for the dome of your oven, constructing the thermal layer of your oven dome, adding an insulation layer to the dome of your oven, plastering your finished oven, firing and using your oven.
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.