Adobe in Action's Design & Construction Principles

Sourcing local soil for an owner builder project in Española, NM.

Sourcing local soil for an owner builder project in Española, NM.

  1. modest-sized, single-story adobe structures

  2. passive solar adobe design and siting

  3. use of local clay soil and aggregate for projects

  4. on-site, sun-dried adobe block production (whenever possible)

  5. low-impact, site-friendly foundation digs (gravel trench / concrete grade beam foundations whenever possible)

  6. natural adobe block walls

  7. wood lintels

  8. wood bond beams

  9. shed & gable roofs with extended eaves (to facilitate the use of natural exterior plasters)

  10. interior earthen plasters and paints

  11. exterior earthen and lime plasters

  12. natural insulation strategies (whenever possible)