Nubian Vault Workshop – Presidio, TX
In October of 2009 I attended a Nubian vault-building workshop held by Simone Swan’s Adobe Alliance in the Big Bend country of West Texas. I have been following Adobe Alliance’s activities for many years but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to participate in one of their workshops. The Nubian technique of vault building allows the builder to create an earthen roof without the use of any type of form. The vault, a series of mud-brick catenary arches, literally goes up in mid air. Simone studied with Hassan Fathy and is the authority on adobe dome and vault construction in the USA. For those looking for more info on woodless adobe vault and dome construction I recommend reading Hassan Fathy’s “Architecture for the Poor”. Please see the pictures below for a visual overview of the workshop.
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