http://www.kurtgardella.com Kurt Gardella Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:31:38 +0000 http://www.kurtgardella.com en http://www.kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Roofs http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Roofs Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:31:38 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879998 Course Name: Roofs for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week online, 8 hours per day for live instruction Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of designing and installing common roof types on adobe structures. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on basic shed and pitched roofs with extended eaves which offer protection to the adobe wall below and allow for exterior natural plasters to be used on the building. Topics include: + historical overview of roof types found on New Mexican adobe structures - their pros & cons + discussion and overview of helpful tools and leveling devices for roof installation + flat roofs - installation techniques, disadvantages for owner/builders + shed roofs - installation techniques and finishing, advantages for owner/builders + pitched roofs – installation techniques and finishing, advantages for owner/builders + bond beam attachment systems for roofs + ordering, sizing and installing vigas, roof beams and other roofing lumber + overview of ceiling board installation and finishing + roof insulation techniques and installation + selecting and installing roof decking and metal roofing + importance of extended eaves for natural plaster usage + earthen roof alternatives (domes and vaults) – advantages and disadvantages All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: Roofs for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Building-Permit-Process http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Building-Permit-Process Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:53:13 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879992 Course Name: New Mexico Adobe Building Permit Process Instruction Format: Online Course (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the process of applying for a permit to build with adobe bricks in New Mexico. We work through the current New Mexico Earthen Materials Building Code to define key vocabulary and correct building procedures of a typical New Mexican adobe brick structure. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on the permit-related steps that need to be taken before construction can begin as well as a detailed overview of producing and submitting all required building plans. Note: The New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code is highly-respected around the world. Even if you are not planning on building your home in New Mexico, the code can be used as a guide to ensure that quality adobe construction principles are followed regardless of your location. The New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code is sometimes also accepted in states or countries which do not have their own adobe code in place. Contact your local construction industries division for more details on this process. Topics include: + locating the current New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code + general overview of all code-related vocabulary and definitions for adobe construction + allowable wall heights for adobe construction and other wall-related topics + classes of adobe, soil and brick testing in the code + foundations and bond beams in the code + lintel sizing for window and door openings + plastering and wall insulation in the code + detailed overview of New Mexico adobe permitting process + detailed overview of adobe building plan drawing process and requirements + detailed overview of adobe building plan submission process + detailed overview of adobe building inspection process All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: New Mexico Adobe Building Permit Process Instruction Format: Online Course (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Floors http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Floors Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:01:46 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1880002 Course Name: Floors for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week online, 8 hours per day for live instruction Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of installing floors commonly used in adobe structures in New Mexico. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on high-mass floors for passive solar adobe structures with a special focus on low-cost earthen floors. Topics include: + historical overview of floor types found in New Mexican adobe structures - their pros & cons + overview of helpful tools and leveling devices for floor installation + poured mud, mud brick and rammed earth floors - installation techniques and finishes + brick on sand floors - installation techniques and finishes + flagstone on sand/flagstone on mud floors - installation techniques and finishes + suspended wood floors - installation techniques and finishes, pros & cons + radiant heat in floors - advantages and disadvantages + importance of mass floors for passive solar performance All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: Floors for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Natural-Plastering http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Natural-Plastering Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:03:26 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1880005 Course Name: Interior and Exterior Plastering Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week online, 8 hours per day for live instruction Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of finishing interior and exterior adobe brick walls with natural plasters and paints. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on the mixing and application of earthen plasters, lime plasters and lime/casein paints. Topics include: + historical overview of interior and exterior finishes for adobe structures in New Mexico + importance of respiratory and eye safety when preparing and mixing plasters + overview of mud plaster characteristics and why earthen plasters make sense on adobe walls + summary of tools and materials needed for plastering + window and door opening reinforcement using reed mat + adobe wall preparation for maximum earthen plaster adhesion + locating and testing clay for earthen plasters + locating and testing aggregates for earthen plasters and lime plasters + preparing lime putty + importance of work site and material organization for plaster work + fiber (straw) preparation and chopping techniques + sifting, preparing and mixing soil and aggregates for earthen plasters + wheat paste production for strengthening mud plasters + casein production for lime paints + natural exterior earthen plaster stabilization techniques (lime, cactus juice) + hand application techniques of earthen plasters (base coats, patching) + hawk & trowel application of earthen and lime plasters (leveling and finish coats) + basic earthen plaster ingredients and recipes + basic lime plaster ingredients and recipes + calculating surface area to be finished and materials needed + troubleshooting earthen and lime plasters (cracking, adhesion problems, etc.) All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: Interior and Exterior Plastering Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Foundations http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Foundations Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:41:05 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879993 Course Name: Foundations for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of designing and installing different foundation types commonly used for adobe structures. We define key vocabulary and building procedures of standard foundations that pass code in New Mexico as well as an alternative foundation design that can be used if approved by an engineer. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on installing two popular foundation types for adobe structures in New Mexico - the 'concrete spread footing/CMU stem wall' foundation and the 'gravel/trench with concrete grade beam' foundation. Topics include: + historical foundation types found in New Mexican adobe structures - their pros & cons + definition and importance of foundations in the context of earthen and adobe construction + overview of helpful tools and leveling devices for foundation layout and installation + analysis of key foundation rules and regulations in the NM Earthen Building Materials Code + site selection recommendations for adobe foundations + detailing recommendations for adobe foundations - stem wall heights, moisture barriers + building and foundation layout process - setting batter boards, finding corners, marking sides + low-cost, low-impact foundation dig methods and recommendations + technical overview and installation of concrete spread footing/CMU stem wall foundation + technical overview and installation of gravel/trench foundation with concrete grade beam + discussion of insulation techniques for foundations + calculating materials for foundations + instructions on the process of obtaining an alternative foundation permit in New Mexico All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: Foundations for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Passive-Solar-Adobe http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Passive-Solar-Adobe Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:13:25 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879986 Course Name: Passive Solar Adobe Design Instruction Format: Online Course (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of designing a passive solar adobe structure which combines the natural power of the sun with the great thermal storage capacity of adobe to reduce heating and cooling costs. The hands-on projects for this course focus on the steps involved in siting and modeling the performance of a passive solar adobe brick house. Topics include: + history of passive solar design worldwide with a special focus on the Southwest of the USA + intro to the 3 major passive solar adobe systems (direct gain, Trombe wall and greenhouse) + site planning and building layout for optimum solar gain + passive solar floor plan design and modeling + passive solar system sizing and glazing requirements + calculating heat gain and heat loss for a passive solar design + thermal storage of heat using adobe + calculating window shading and passive cooling + backup heating practices + passive solar insulation techniques All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: Passive Solar Adobe Design Instruction Format: Online Course (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Walls http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Adobe-Walls Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:52:10 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1810075 Course Name: Adobe Wall Construction Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week online, 8 hours per day for live instruction Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of building earthen walls using natural, sun-dried adobe bricks. We begin the wallbuilding process by laying a first course of adobes onto the foundation wall and continue working our way to the top of the wall with subsequent adobe courses and the installation of a wood bond beam. We work through all wall-related sections of the current New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code to help define key vocabulary and correct building procedures of a typical adobe brick wall. We also examine different methods of installing window and door openings into the wall. Topics include: + historical overview of various earthen wall construction techniques used worldwide + discussion of why adobe bricks are recommended for owner/builder earthen walls + overview of common adobe wall thicknesses - their pros & cons + thermal storage and heat transmission properties of adobe walls - R-values and U-values + basic overview of seismic considerations when building with adobe bricks + constructing and setting up speed leads for adobe brick walls + mixing mud mortar for adobe wall construction + applying mortar to the wall + correct brick coursing and leveling + cutting adobe bricks + constructing and installing gringo blocks and rough bucks into an adobe brick wall + constructing and installing lintels into an adobe brick wall + constructing and installing a wood bond beam on an adobe brick wall + scaffolding and high wall strategies for adobe wall construction + insulation techniques for adobe walls + basic overview of plumbing and electrical installation for adobe walls All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: Adobe Wall Construction Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) or Blended (4 Weeks Online + 5 Days Live Instruction) Workload: 6-8 hours per week online,... http://www.kurtgardella.com/Adobe-History-Basics http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/Adobe-History-Basics Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:17:46 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1809972 Course Name: History & Basics of Adobe Construction Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course This course covers the fundamentals of building with earth with a special focus on adobe bricks. We begin with a historical overview of earthen and adobe architecture and construction in the Southwest of the USA. We also look at and discuss alternative earthen building traditions and techniques used around the world and why sun-dried adobe bricks make sense for the owner/builder. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on the preliminary steps that need to be taken before construction of an adobe brick house can commence. This course covers the entire pre-construction sequence - from soil selection and testing to adobe brick production and storage. Topics include: + history of adobe architecture and construction in the Southwest of the USA and worldwide + overview of alternative earthen wall building techniques past and present + overview of earthen home characteristics and why earth makes sense as a building material + overview of the main building components of an adobe house from foundation to roof + overview of the main adobe architectural styles found in New Mexico - their pros and cons + overview of basic tools needed for adobe construction + locating clay and aggregates for adobe construction + performing and evaluating soil tests to determine soil suitability + making a 2-brick adobe form + making a soil screen + mixing soil for adobe bricks and mortar + making and curing adobe bricks + transporting and storing adobe bricks + testing adobe bricks for strength and water resistance - field and lab tests + calculating adobe bricks and mortar needed for a given project All Content © Kurt Gardella 2011 - 2013. Course Name: History & Basics of Adobe Construction Instruction Format: Online (8 Weeks) Workload: 3-5 hours per week Next Session: E-mail me About the Course ...