Education

The AiA Certificate in Adobe Construction

Adobe in Action provides adobe construction education for the benefit of community development and cultural enrichment and preservation. The classes promote the continued qualification of adobe craftsmen through theoretical and practical instruction. To reach a broad range of students, the courses are offered as a blend of online and live instruction and synchronize with ongoing Adobe in Action building projects. A certificate of completion is offered by Adobe in Action for each class successfully completed. Upon completion of all 8 classes (total of 24 credits) the student is presented with an Adobe in Action Certificate in Adobe Construction. The educational component strives to align its courses with existing academic and professional earthbuilding institutions to contribute to a nationally recognized certification in adobe construction.

Certificate Curriculum

Course 1: “Passive Solar Adobe Design”
Credits: 2
Format: Live or Internet (5 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $250

This coure 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.

Course 2: “New Mexico Adobe Building Permit Process”
Credits: 2
Format: Live or Internet (5 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $250

This course 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, this 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 US 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.

Course 3: “History & Basics of Adobe Construction”
Credits: 2
Format: Live or Internet (5 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $250

This course 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.

Course 4: “Foundations for Adobe Structures”
Credits: 2
Format: Live or Internet (5 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $250

This course 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.

Course 5: “Adobe Wall Construction”
Credits: 4
Format: Live or Internet (10 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $500
This is a Spring/Summer 2012 Class - More info here!

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 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.

Course 6: “Roofs for Adobe Structures”
Credits: 4
Format: Live or Internet (10 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $500
This is a Spring/Summer 2012 Class - More info here!

This course 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.

Course 7: “Interior and Exterior Plastering”
Credits: 4
Format: Live or Internet (10 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $500

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 mud plasters, lime plasters and lime/casein paints.

Course 8: “Floors for Adobe Structures”
Credits: 4
Format: Live or Internet (10 days live or 8 weeks online)
Fee: $500

This course 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.

For more information or to register for an upcoming class please contact our Director of Education (Kurt Gardella) at:

kurt@adobeinaction.org