http://www.kurtgardella.com Kurt Gardella Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:31:38 +0000 http://www.kurtgardella.com en http://www.kurtgardella.com/6-Adobe-Roofs http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/6-Adobe-Roofs Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:31:38 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879998 Full Workshop Name: Roofs for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (2 weeks via live instruction) covers the fundamentals of designing and installing common roofs 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. Theoretical and hands-on demo 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 metal roofing + importance of extended eaves for natural plaster usage + earthen roof alternatives (domes and vaults) – advantages and disadvantages http://www.kurtgardella.com/2-Building-Permit-Process http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/2-Building-Permit-Process Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:53:13 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879992 Full Course Name: New Mexico Adobe Building Permit Process Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (1 week via live instruction) focuses on the process of applying for a permit to build with adobe 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 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 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. Theoretical and hands-on demo topics include: + locating and downloading the current New Mexico Earthen Building Materials Code + general overview of all code-related vocabulary and definitions for adobe + allowable wall heights for adobe construction and other wall-related topics + classes of adobe and soil and brick testing in the code + foundations and bond beams in the code + lintels 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 requirements + detailed overview of adobe building plan drawing process + detailed overview of adobe building plan submission process + detailed overview of adobe building inspection process http://www.kurtgardella.com/8-Adobe-Floors http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/8-Adobe-Floors Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:01:46 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1880002 Full Workshop Name: Floors for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (2 weeks via live instruction) covers the fundamentals of installing floors commonly used in adobe structures. 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. Theoretical and hands-on demo 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 + concrete floors - installation techniques and finishes, pros & cons + suspended wood floors - installation techniques and finishes, pros & cons + radiant heat in floors - advantages and disadvantages + importance of mass floors in passive solar design http://www.kurtgardella.com/7-Plastering http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/7-Plastering Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:03:26 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1880005 Full Course Name: Interior and Exterior Plastering Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (2 weeks via live instruction) 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 mud plasters, lime plasters and lime/casein paints. Theoretical and hands-on demo 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 + summary of tools and materials needed for plastering + window and door opening reinforcement using reed mat + adobe wall preparation for maximum mud plaster adhesion + locating and testing soils for mud plasters + locating and testing aggregates for mud plasters and lime plasters + importance of work site and material organization for plaster work + fiber (straw) preparation and chopping techniques + sifting, preparing and mixing soil and aggregates for mud plasters + wheat paste production for strengthening mud plasters + casein production for lime paints + natural exterior mud plaster stabilization techniques (lime, cactus juice) + hand application techniques of mud plasters (base coats, patching) + hawk & trowel application of mud and lime plasters (leveling and finish coats) + basic mud plaster ingredients and recipes + basic lime plaster ingredients and recipes + calculating surface area to be finished and materials needed + troubleshooting mud and lime plasters (cracking, adhesion problems, etc.) http://www.kurtgardella.com/4-Foundations http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/4-Foundations Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:41:05 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879993 Full Course Name: Foundations for Adobe Structures Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (1 week via live instruction) covers the fundamentals of designing and installing different foundation types for adobe structures. We define key vocabulary and building procedures of standard foundations that pass code in New Mexico as well an alternative foundation design that can also 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. Theoretical and hands-on demo 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 - using 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 foundations + technical overview and installation of gravel/trench foundations 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 http://www.kurtgardella.com/1-Passive-Solar-Adobe http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/1-Passive-Solar-Adobe Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:13:25 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1879986 Full Course Name: Passive Solar Adobe Design Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (1 week via live instruction) 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. Our hands-on projects for this course focus on the steps involved in siting and designing a passive solar mud brick house. Theoretical and hands-on demo 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 + finding true south + 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 + understanding the New Mexico Energy Trade Off process http://www.kurtgardella.com/5-Adobe-Walls http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/5-Adobe-Walls Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:52:10 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1810075 Full Course Name: Adobe Wall Construction Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (2 weeks via live instruction) 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 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. Theoretical and hands-on demo 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 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 gringo blocks and rough bucks + inserting gringo blocks and rough bucks into an adobe brick wall + constructing and inserting lintels into an adobe brick wall + constructing and installing a wood bond beam on top of 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 http://www.kurtgardella.com/3-Adobe-History-Basics http://www.kurtgardella.com/following/kurtgardella.com/3-Adobe-History-Basics Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:17:46 +0000 Kurt Gardella 1809972 Full Course Name: History & Basics of Adobe Construction Instruction Format: Live or Internet This 8-week internet course (1 week via live instruction) covers the fundamentals of building with earth and adobe. 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 building a mud brick house can commence. This course covers the entire pre-construction sequence - from soil selection and testing to adobe brick production and storage. Theoretical and hands-on demo topics include: + history of adobe architecture and construction in the Southwest of the USA and worldwide + overview of other 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 soil and sand 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 for a given project